- Four programs to receive grants via Cook Government's latest X-TEND WA round
- $362,000 to support Indigenous, regional and female innovators and entrepreneurs
- X-TEND round focused on investor education and corporate innovation
Four Western Australian innovation programs have been awarded a total of $362,000 from the Cook Government to build their business, develop their network and access opportunities.
Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson said the funding was part of the State Government's latest round of the X-TEND grants and had been awarded to a diverse range of recipients to support Indigenous, regional and female innovators and entrepreneurs.
The list of recipients for this latest round include:
- a First Nations program which is focused on creating a wider investment ecosystem for First Nations investors;
- a new full-lifecycle investor education program to build a local network that has confidence and capability to invest in start-ups;
- a female-focused investment readiness program to support female entrepreneurs to build their skills, connections and mentorship; and
- a Bunbury-based events and education program to provide a connection for investors and start-up founders across regional WA.
X-TEND WA is a competitive grants program designed to build capability within our innovation ecosystem by providing grants of up to $150,000 for education or capacity-building programs supporting innovators and investors.
The grants also encourage programs with a particular focus on regional, Indigenous and female-founder support.
Since 2019, X-TEND WA has provided over $3.6 million of grant funding across 45 programs, supporting thousands of Western Australian participants and attendees.
Supported under the X-TEND Round 5 grants program, CONNECT Sustainable Industries delivered their 2024 Regional Innovation Summit in Busselton.
It attracted over 100 attendees comprising start-ups, investors, corporates, and government, to explore new technology and innovation to support sustainable regional industries.
Impact Seed Pty Ltd, also a Round 5 recipient, delivered their inaugural Impact Economy Forum this year.
It involved connecting over 200 local and national leaders and changemakers to explore investment towards equitable innovation.
The X-TEND program is a part of the Cook Government's $25.8 million New Industries Fund (NIF) to deliver initiatives as part of the WA Innovation Strategy.
For more information see: Expanding the innovation ecosystem
As stated by Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Building our local innovation ecosystem is all about creating connections and investing in collaboration.
"Through the Cook Government's X-TEND program, we are actively supporting regional-based initiatives, as well as Indigenous entrepreneurs and female founders, and reaffirming our commitment to improving inclusion and job diversification.
"Congratulations to our latest round of X-TEND grant recipients and I know their programs will continue to support and grow our local innovation ecosystem.
"It's great to see Western Australian organisations being supported for the incredible work they do through their initiatives to assist local innovators."
X-TEND Round 7 recipients:
Organisation |
Program |
Program Overview |
Funding amount |
Entrepreneurs In Residence Pty Ltd |
INVESTinWA |
INVESTinWA is a full lifecycle investor education program to build a pipeline of engaged individuals. It will result in an expanded community that is aware, with capability, capacity and 'appetite' to participate in emerging innovation-driven businesses. This will be primarily in the scaleup innovation strata where there is insufficient capital capacity or the opportunity sits outside the investment mandate of the venture capital asset class. |
$110,000 |
First Nations X Ltd |
The Blak Angels Investor Network |
The Blak Angels Investment Network (BAIN) is an Angel investment initiative delivering economic empowerment to First Nations people by increasing innovation investment education and participation in capital tables of high growth businesses. It will help create a broader investment ecosystem for First Nations investors and businesses fostering greater inclusion in the angel and venture capital investment landscape. BAIN will offer a range of activities, including education on angel investing, facilitated access to early-stage investment opportunities, and establishing linkages between First Nations Angel networks and investors in Australia and the US. |
$150,000 |
Spacecubed Pty Ltd |
EmpowerHer: Investor Readiness Program |
The Female Founders Investment Readiness Program is a dynamic initiative that empowers female entrepreneurs to propel their businesses to the next level. Tailored specifically for women-led start-ups, this program provides a comprehensive pathway to becoming investment-ready by focusing on three core pillars: skill development, investor connections and mentorship. |
$49,000 |
South West Angels Limited |
Regional Events, Education, and Connection Program (Regional, based in Bunbury) |
A three-pillar program providing events, education, and connection for investors and start-up founders and others across the start-up and innovation community in regional WA. |
$53,000 |
