Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly announced today at West Tech Fest that the McGowan Government would partner with peak start-up advocacy organisation StartupWA, to further build and create jobs within Western Australia’s start-up and technology sector.
Working closely with StartupWA, the McGowan Government will provide $160,000 over two years to facilitate a series of summits aimed at showcasing local talent and start-ups as well as helping them access the opportunities they need to grow their business in Western Australia.
The summits will be targeted at new opportunities for local early-stage businesses and start-ups, with a particular focus on female-led, Aboriginal and regional businesses.
The partnership will assist StartupWA to host events that provide local start-ups and entrepreneurs with access to information and networks to help grow their ideas into strong WA-based global businesses.
The funding will also enable StartupWA to engage a part-time employee to manage events and strengthen the organisation’s ability to support the local start-up ecosystem.
The funding comes from the $16.7 million New Industries Fund which was established to support and accelerate new and emerging businesses to diversify the Western Australian economy and create new WA jobs.
StartupWA is a non-profit organisation that advocates for WA to be recognised as a global hub for entrepreneurial and technological talent.
Other supporters of the 2021 StartupWA summit series include Minderoo Generation One, City of Perth, AiGroup, MeshPoints, Curtin University, AICD WA, AgriStart, Atomic Sky, Spacecubed, Perth Angels, WiTWA (Women in Technology WA), South West Angels and Techboard.
West Tech Fest, now in its ninth year, is a Western Australian week-long, technology festival featuring global founders, investors, CEOs and technology industry representatives from around the world.
To learn more about the New Industries Fund, visit , for more about StartupWA, visit or for information about West Tech Fest, visit
As stated by Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly:
“Supporting start-ups, emerging businesses and small enterprises to scale up or become investor-ready is important for the growth and diversification of our economy and creating WA jobs.
“Through this partnership with StartupWA, the McGowan Government aims to support WA start-ups by providing them with the tools they need to build a successful global business right here in the State.
“Local start-up companies have the initiative and drive to grow the Western Australian economy, and we want to empower these start-ups to remain in the State.”
