Funding boost for Startup WA

The state government has committed $160,000 in funding to advocacy group StartupWA, which plans to host a series of summits to help build the state’s start-up and technology sector.

Three summits to be held in 2021 will be designed to showcase local start-ups and provide them with access to information and networks.

The funding, across two years, will come from the $16.7 million New Industries Fund.

Minister for Innovation and ICT Dave Kelly will announce the funding this morning at the ninth annual West Tech Fest technology festival.

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 funding will also enable StartupWA to engage a part time employee to manage events and strengthen the organisation.

StartupWA chair Tom Goerke said he was excited to have the support of the state government.

“This is a positive step forward for Western Australia and one that we hope will see support for WA’s startup sector go from strength to strength,” Mr Goerke said.

As well as running the summits, Mr Goerke said StartupWA would focus this year on boosting membership, increasing engagement in regional and remote WA, expanding industry and government engagement in startups and securing long term funding partnerships.

Other supporters of the 2021 StartupWA summit series include Minderoo Foundation’s Generation One initiative and investor group Perth Angels.

Last month, Minderoo partnered with Perth Angels to run an Indigenous Angel Investor and Entrepreneur Masterclass.

The two-day event saw more than 20 Indigenous entrepreneurs and potential angel investors come together to share business ideas and connect with like-minded investors.

Additional supporters of the summit series include City of Perth, AiGroup, MeshPoints, Curtin University, AICD WA, AgriStart, Atomic Sky, Spacecubed, WiTWA (Women in Technology WA), South West Angels and Techboard.

Minister Kelly said that supporting start-ups, emerging businesses and small enterprises to scale up or become investor-ready was important for the growth and diversification of WA’s economy.

“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,” he said.