Sixteen local innovators have been named by the McGowan Government as the finalists for the coveted 2022 WA Innovator of the Year (IOTY) awards.
Finalists in this year’s awards are developing a range of exciting projects including a smart walking stick for Parkinson’s sufferers, and technology for mitigating antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections.
First launched in 2006, the WA IOTY awards showcase the State’s brightest innovators and entrepreneurs, helping them realise the full potential of their innovative creation.
The 2022 WA IOTY finalists will undertake training in pitching, mentoring, digital and social media strategy, in addition to receiving legal, IP and accountancy advice. Finalists will also be provided with a professional photography and video package to assist in the marketing of their innovation.
A prize pool of $140,000 will be shared by six recipients, with the category winners to be announced in December.
The 2021 WA IOTY overall winner, Vision Pharma Pty Ltd, utilised the funding to advance the commercialisation of their next generation RNA therapeutics.
In May this year the company announced the completion of preliminary studies into the novel treatment of a blinding eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa type 11, and is on track to submit an Investigational New Drug application with the US Food and Drug Administration later this year.
Rio Tinto is the primary sponsor of the 2022 WA IOTY awards, with Woodside Energy, Business News and Wesfarmers as platinum award sponsors; Griffith Hack, Wrays, Biodesign Australia and The Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation (CERI) as gold sponsors; and Murfett Legal, Moore Australia and PwC as silver sponsors.
The WA IOTY awards are funded through the State Government’s $16.7 million New Industries Fund, which supports new and emerging businesses to diversify the WA economy and create new jobs.
To learn more about the WA Innovator of the Year program, please visit
As stated by Innovation and ICT Minister Stephen Dawson:
“It’s vitally important that we not only acknowledge and celebrate WA’s most promising innovators, but also provide the support and the network to assist them bring their innovation to fruition.
“The 2022 WA Innovator of the Year program is integral to this process by showcasing the industry’s best ideas and steering them on a pathway for further success.
“Through the WA Innovator of the Year awards our local talent has an avenue in which to connect and develop, harness their skills and cultivate a network to progress their projects.
“Congratulations to all 16 finalists in this year’s awards and I wish them all the best for the future.”
