Venture UWA Ecosystem Update: WA Innovation Calendar – What’s On
- Venture UWA
- Aug 12
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 15
👋 Welcome to This Week’s Venture UWA Ecosystem Update
The WA Innovation Calendar highlights the top events, programs, grant deadlines and opportunities for Western Australia’s innovation and entrepreneurship community. Whether you're a startup, founder, researcher, or innovator—this is your go-to resource.
🗓️ Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Life Sciences WA Connect — In-Person Networking
What: An industry mixer uniting life sciences leaders, researchers, innovators, investors & companies in Western Australia.
Why Attend: Expand your network, learn from sector experts, and connect with emerging biotech and medtech projects.
Government Innovation Showcase WA (August 20–22, 2025)
Hosted by: Public Sector Network during Government Innovation Week
What’s Involved: A series of conferences, masterclasses and networking sessions focused on public sector digital transformation, AI, data analytics and inclusive technology strategy.
Why It Matters: Gain insights into upcoming WA digital infrastructure and public-service innovation plans.
Industry Connection: Generative & Agentic AI for Business (Aug 28, 2025)
What: Exploring how Generative & Agentic AI applies to real-world business operations—from robotics and computer vision to smart automation.
Who Should Attend: Decision-makers, innovation leads, and business developers keen to operationalise AI responsibly in their organisations.
Register Here: https://wainnovationcalendar.com.au/calendar/industry-connection-generative-agentic-ai-for-business-perth/
Beyond the Build: What to look for in a Great CTO Cofounder
A focused session hosted by Morning Startup – Perth, tailored to non-technical founders. This talk explores the critical, yet often overlooked, traits beyond coding skills when choosing a technical cofounder—aiming to help founders build scalable teams, strong partnerships, and thriving ventures.
Key Event Details
Speaker: Lee Goldsworthy
A seasoned CTO & Tech Advisor with 22 years in tech and 15 years in product engineering leadership. Currently supporting five startups in adopting scalable high-growth practices.
Date & Time:
Wednesday, 13 August 2025
From 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM AWST
Venue: Riff Perth (operating within Spacecubed); 45 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA
Who is it for: For non-technical founders on how to choose a CTO—not just on technical capability but cultural fit, strategic thinking, and leadership potential.
The Founder’s Guide to Winning Over VCs
What it is: A focused session hosted by Morning Startup – Perth, where founders learn what venture capital firms look for in early-stage startups. Hosted in partnership with Purpose Ventures, WA's leading VC firm, this talk promises insight into what makes a compelling pitch, how their founder-friendly process works, and the typical path from first meeting to investment.
Key Event Details
Hosted by: Erin C. and two others (within the Morning Startup – Perth team)
Date & Time:
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
From 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM AWST
Venue: Riff Perth (within Spacecubed); 45 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
Coffee, Food & Sponsors
Coffee: Complimentary coffee from Joey Zaza’s, courtesy of Purpose Ventures
Breakfast Treats: Courtesy of KeepSpace
Community Support: Thanks to Ammo Marketing and Beacham Group for their ongoing backing of Morning Startup – Perth
Who it is for:
Startup founders looking to raise capital or prepare for future funding
Entrepreneurs wanting to understand how VCs think and decide
Investors, mentors, and ecosystem partners keen to connect with founders.
ASTN WA Sportstech Industry Annual Snapshot, New Partnership Announcement and WA’s Emerging Sportstech Startups
What it is: A flagship networking event hosted by the Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) to highlight updates in Western Australia’s sportstech ecosystem—including ASTN’s latest annual report, a new partnership, and shining a light on both established and emerging startups.
Key Details
Date & Time:
Wednesday, 13 August 2025
From 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM AWST
Venue: SportWest, SportHQ, 203 Underwood Avenue, Floreat WA 6014
Highlights
Announcement of ASTN’s new partnership with Meshpoints, supported by Lotterywest and Spacecubed, aimed at accelerating WA’s sportstech innovation ecosystem
A deep dive into ASTN’s newly released Sports Innovation Report, contextualising WA’s sportstech landscape within national and global trends
A feature presentation from the founder & CEO of MiClub, detailing the evolution and success of one of WA’s most prominent sportstech companies
Presentations by emerging WA sportstech startups, showcasing their current work, technologies, and future plans
Complimentary drinks and canapés provided during networking
Who it is for: For passionate people on advancing sport through technology, whether they’re building products, funding them, implementing them, or connecting the ecosystem.
A Framework for Change or Just Another Label?
What it is: An online webinar presented by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI), where they launch the first-year findings from their landmark research into the social economy in Australia. The session will explore the global rise of the social economy, current barriers, policy levers, and the growing importance of data and research. Speakers include:
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
Cassandra Goldie AO, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service
Andrew Davies, CEO of B Lab Australia & New Zealand
Kylie Flament, CEO of Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT
A/Professor Melissa Edwards, Director of Research and Innovation, CSI UNSW
Host: Arminé Nalbandian, CEO, Centre for Social Impact
Key Event Details
Date & Time:
Wednesday, 13 August 2025
From 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
Venue: Online (via Teams). Registered participants will receive an access link via email approximately 24 hours before the event
Cost: Free — registration is required, and booking fees go entirely to charity
Who is it for: For social impact professionals, policy makers, researchers, business leaders, students, and anyone interested in how the social economy can drive change.
Joondalup Business Forum – “Joondalup 2050: Investing in the Vision”
What it is: A forward-looking business forum focusing on the future growth and investment opportunities in the Joondalup region, covering key sectors like health, technology, education, innovation, transport, tourism, and housing. The event includes a keynote from Federal Minister The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP.
Key Event Details
Date & Time:
Thursday, 14 August 2025
7:00 AM to 9:30 AM
Venue: Lakeview Ballroom, Joondalup Resort, Country Club Boulevard, Connolly WA 6027
Admission: AUD 30 (includes breakfast)
Why This Matters
Learn about the strategic vision for Joondalup’s economic and infrastructure growth
Connect with local business leaders, innovators, and policymakers
Gain insights on emerging opportunities across health, tech, education, and more
Who this is for:
Business professionals and entrepreneurs
Local government and policymakers
Investors and industry innovators
Anyone interested in Joondalup’s economic future
📝 Deadlines & Funding Highlights
The WA Innovation Calendar platform regularly compiles upcoming application deadlines for grants, awards, and program entries. If you haven’t checked in lately, now’s the time: upcoming rounds include grants for digital transformation, regional supplier rounds and more.
🔧 Key Resources for Innovators in WA
Access tools and guides designed to help you scale your startup or innovation:
GrantConnect: Search Australian Government funding rounds.
Techboard & Dealroom: Startup data platforms with WA focus.
Meshpoints & Startup News: Community tools, stories, events and ecosystem visibility.
MTP Connect & MRFF Calendar: Health innovation tracking and grant listings.
🔗 Quick Links to Explore
Visit the WA Innovation Calendar website to explore detailed listings of events, deadlines and programs.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive weekly updates directly to your inbox.
Add your event so it reaches founders, investors and collaborators across WA.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers across Western Australia are invited to stay plugged into the weekly flow of opportunities curated by the WA Innovation Calendar. Whether you're looking to attend events, apply for funding, or showcase your own programs—this is your community hub.
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