Additional Funding Boosts Female, Regional Innovation Programs

  • Six programs have received grants from X-TEND WA
  • Next grant round open, with maximum grant value increased to $150,000
  • X-TEND WA supports innovative entrepreneurs, startups and emerging enterprises

The Cook Labor Government has awarded $547,300 to six Western Australian innovators, as part of the latest round of the X-TEND WA grants.

This round includes five regionally based programs, as well as a female-led company focusing on funding for women entrepreneurs.

Another recipient includes a First Nations' entrepreneurial initiative in the East Kimberley region, led by women, which explores bush food and botanical industry innovation.

The next X-TEND WA round is open, seeking applications that will educate, grow, and encourage investor education alongside corporate connections with startups.

The cut-off date for Round 7 is 30 August, with the maximum grant increasing to $150,000.

X-TEND WA is a long-standing program within the multimillion-dollar New Industries Fund, which supports new and emerging innovative businesses across WA to help diversify the economy and create new jobs and industries.

The program has provided more than $3 million in grant funding across 33 programs since 2019.

For more information, see: New Industries Fund: X-TEND WA Program (www.wa.gov.au)

As stated by Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson:

"Under the Cook Government's successful New Industries Fund, we continue to support local business that build entrepreneurship, innovation, and commercialisation to create local jobs.

"The X-TEND WA program provides valuable support to grow our local innovation ecosystem.

"It's an exciting time to be an innovator in WA, with our next round of X-TEND grants now offering an increased maximum grant of $150,000.

"I encourage both local and regional businesses to take advantage of what X-TEND WA can offer and consider an application for the next round."

X-TEND Round 6 recipients:

Organisation

Program

Program Overview

Funding amount

Atomic Sky Pty Ltd.

HORIZONS

(Regional; Pilbara)

Empowering Indigenous female leaders and entrepreneurs in regional WA including the Pilbara and enhancing networks between the regions and Perth.

$100,000

Enterprise Partnerships WA Limited

Jarndu Garra

(Regional; East Kimberley)

First Nations' female entrepreneurs coming together for innovation in the bush foods and botanical industry to grow sustainable businesses.

$97,300

IDEAcademy Pty Ltd

IDEAcademy Regional Development

(Peel region)

Expanding the successful Perth-based program for young entrepreneurs into the Peel region and beyond for community-based entrepreneurship education, activated by Peel youth, industry, and allied service providers.

$100,000

SEED Innovation Foundation Pty Ltd

Connecting the City of Karratha to WA's Innovation Ecosystem

(Regional; based in Karratha)

Activating entrepreneurial education and broader innovation ecosystem development within the City of Karratha and across coastal Pilbara and North-West.

$100,000

VentureX HQ Pty Ltd

VentureX HQ

Building investment capability in the innovation ecosystem with emphasis on funding for female entrepreneurs.

$100,000

WIBB Network Incorporated

Women Inspiring Better Business Female Entrepreneur Education

(Regional; based in Geraldton)

Empowering female entrepreneurs and founders in Geraldton through education, mentorship, and community support, enhancing capabilities to thrive in the business world.

$50,000

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