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Tag: Social Enterprise / Impact

DEADLINE: WA Innovators of the Year Awards (WAIOTY) 2026

Western Australia’s (WA) Innovators of the Year awards program recognises local businesses, government entities and young people that have developed an outstanding innovative product, technology or service.

Administered by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, the program has also raised the profile of WA’s innovation ecosystem, helped to spotlight local talent and supported the growth of the State’s innovation-based industries. In 2026, the program will recognise WA innovators across eight award categories:

  • Emerging Innovation Award
  • Growth Innovation Award
  • Advanced Manufacturing Award
  • Community Benefit and Wellbeing Award
  • Energy Innovation Award
  • Government Innovation Award
  • Great for the State Award
  • Young Innovators Award

This includes a new category, Advanced Manufacturing, awarded to a WA applicant who has used advanced technology and knowledge inputs as an integral part of their manufacturing process to create efficient, higher value-add and more complex manufacturing goods across the manufacturing value chain.

All finalists will receive a professional video of their innovation and photography session, as well as an invitation to an Accelerator program, aimed at upskilling early and growth-stage innovators and entrepreneurs. Winners will share in a prize pool of up to $310,000 to support the commercialisation development of their innovation.

To be eligible, the innovative product, technology or service must be at the emerging or growth phase of development and demonstrate an economic, social, and/or environmental benefit to WA.

Apply here

DEADLINE: Australasia GreenGown Awards

Applications are now open for the 2026 Green Gown Awards Australasia, celebrating the institutions and individuals driving sustainability leadership across the tertiary sector.

This year includes a new Digital Futures category, recognising innovative digital projects that enhance sustainability in tertiary education. The biennial Powerful Partnership category also returns, celebrating high-impact collaborations within and beyond the sector. With a broad mix of organisational and individual categories, there are plenty of opportunities to showcase your work.

Organisational categories are open to any tertiary education establishment – including all post-16 educational institutions such as universities, colleges, TAFE, Polytechnics and learning and skills institutions. Individual categories are open to staff and students of ACTS member organisations.

DEADLINE: AusSRC HPC Funding Applications Close

The Australian SKA Regional Centre (AusSRC) is proud to launch the Astronomy Resources for Industry Applications (ARIA) Program, a new initiative designed to accelerate innovation through access to high-performance computing (HPC).
AusSRC is Australia’s contribution to the international SKA Regional Centre Network (SRCNet). The SRCNet will support the global flow of data and processing needed for the SKA telescopes – the two most advanced radio telescopes in the world, located in Australia and South Africa.
One of AusSRC’s goals is to support discovery and delivery of impact beyond radio astronomy. By working with industry to foster data-intensive innovations across sectors, AusSRC aims to leverage astronomy capabilities to generate broad benefits to the Australian economy and community.

The ARIA Program has been established to provide Australian start-ups and small to medium businesses with access to HPC resources to enable innovation in products and services aligned with key technical priorities.

For the 2026 inaugural funding round, AusSRC will support projects focused on:

  • Data Management
  • Data Visualisation
  • Data Compression

We are seeking applications from SMEs and start-ups that would benefit from HPC capability but face barriers accessing research-based or large-scale infrastructure schemes.

Applications are open to organisations from any industry excluding astronomy that can demonstrate how covering HPC-related expenses would directly enable innovation in one or more of the priority areas.

For a full explanation of the ARIA Program, please refer to the ARIA Program Guidelines and ARIA Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Meshpoints Town Hall: Introducing Our Resilience & Wellbeing Challenge

Join the second Meshpoints Town Hall of 2026, which will share key updates, introduce new opportunities, and outline how you can get involved in the next phase of Meshpoints’ Challenge-led funding model.

Key announcements and opportunities include:

🧠 Introducing Challenge #2: focused on resilience and wellbeing for founders across WA’s innovation ecosystem. This will be grounded in insights from StartupWA’s latest founder survey and recent mental health and wellbeing roundtable, helping shape the challenge, why it matters, and the types of initiatives we’re looking to support. Up to $100,000 in total funding is available, with up to $20,000 per initiative.

🚀 Announcing Challenge #1 recipients: hear directly from the not-for-profit organisations funded through our Promotion & Storytelling Challenge, and the impact they’re aiming to create.

💡 Interactive workshop: designed to help you develop and submit a strong expression of interest for Challenge #2.

Following formalities and announcements, there will be an optional hands-on workshop where you’ll be guided through shaping an initiative aligned with the founder wellbeing Challenge. You’ll leave with a clearer concept, practical guidance, and the opportunity to submit your Expression of Interest on the spot.

Please note, this Town Hall is exclusive to Meshpoints Partners. If you’re not yet a Partner, you can join for free to access this event and future funding opportunities. Click here to join as a partner!

10×10 Perth | Thursday 28 May 2026

10×10 is where people who care about social innovation come to connect, and this event is hosted by a committee of volunteers! Join on Thursday 28 May 2026 for a shark-tank style pitch and crowdfunding event to support three exceptional early-stage Non-profit Organisations (NFP) innovating to solve social challenges in WA.

What is 10×10?: 10×10 builds the networks that back innovative not-for-profits (NFPs) taking on Australia’s toughest social challenges. We do that by fuelling a thriving movement through our flagship events and building a venture philanthropy funding ecosystem that unlocks new and better philanthropy.

Constellations Convergence 2026

Constellations Convergence is a one-day, not for profit gathering exploring how purpose, impact and possibility can reshape the way we work, leave and lead. 

Through bold ideas, honest storytelling and surprising collaborations, constellations showcases voices fro across diverse orbits of influence from artists and athletes, scientists and technologists, advocates and entrepreneurs each sharing real experiences of transformation and purpose.

Learn more and register

DEADLINE: Churchill Fellowship

The Fellowship provides funding and support for Australians to travel overseas (typically 4-8 weeks) to investigate a topic they’re passionate about. The only requirement? You need to bring what you learn back to Australia and share it with others. Applications open 26 Feb 2026.

You don’t need a degree. You don’t need to be an academic. You can do a Churchill Fellowship on any topic, provided there is a benefit to Australia and your community by you sharing your knowledge or skills. You need curiosity, commitment, and a clear vision for how your learning will create positive change.

Perth information sessions

5 March 2026 at 5.30 pm (AWST), Australian Institute of Management WA (76 Birkdale St, Floreat)

7 March 2026 at 10.00 am (AWST), Access Care Network Australia (ACNA) (5 Sangiorgio Ct, Osborne Park)

WA International Women’s Day 2026 – Leaders Breakfast Event

Join For Purpose leaders for a morning of connection, reflection, and celebration as we mark International Women’s Day 2026.

Speakers:

  • Professor Lyn Beazley AO
  • Dr Hilda Turnbull
  • Mary Nenke
  • Andrea Musulin
  • Hon Maryka Groenewald MLC
  • Hon Julie Freeman MC
  • Jasmin Diab CSC GAICD
  • Professor Samar Aoun AM
  • Miquela Riley
  • Sarah Sfakianakis

Attend online or in person for an inspiring morning with a special breakfast honoring the remarkable women who have shaped WA’s history.

Social Impact Incubator Showcase 2026

Celebrate the inaugural WA Social Impact Incubator cohort

Join WASEC to celebrate 16 visionary social entrepreneurs building the future of social enterprise in Western Australia. Over six months, with support from mentors and sector experts, these founders have been developing startups that respond to critical social challenges. Now they are ready to share their progress and vision.

Each founder will showcase their work, offering insights into their social mission and the impact they aim to create.

Hear from: Circular Fashion Council, Little Go Getters, LJM Memorial Hospice, StrideMate, Safe Call Up, What Unites, Panacea Design, Green Skills Inc, Kinship Farms, Women On the Tools, Carers WA, Tharanga De Silva, Kuda Ndlovu, and Emem Udo.

Why attend? Join funders, mentors, sector leaders and aspiring social entrepreneurs discovering WA’s next generation of impact-driven startups. Whether you are exploring your own social enterprise journey or looking to support emerging ventures, connect with the community shaping Business for Good in WA.

WASEC Information Session

Held every second month, these sessions are your chance to connect, learn and share.

Get an inside look at WASEC, meet fellow social entrepreneurs, ask big questions, explore the world of social enterprise, and let WASEC know how they can better support your impact.