- Government unveils exciting program and speakers for West Tech Fest
- Expressions of interest for international businesses to attend
- Ten WA tech companies heading to South by Southwest (SXSW) in Sydney
Visionary entrepreneurs and inspiring innovative icons will feature as key speakers in this year's West Tech Fest, which is Western Australia's pre-eminent technology and innovation festival.
Announcing the West Tech Fest program, the Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson said a very exciting array of international talent was coming to WA for the 13th festival.
This year the West Tech Fest, which kicks off on 2 December, will feature keynote speakers such as founding partner of US-based Cake Ventures Monique Woodard, who advocates the power of women-led businesses, and Steve Killelea, the founder of the Institute for Economics and Peace.
Renowned entrepreneur and founder of One Earth, Linzi Boyd will present at one of the key events - West Tech Coast.
West Tech Fest has become the annual focal point for WA's innovation and tech community. Each year it showcases local talent and features a prominent line-up of global founders, investors, and CEOs, along with tech industry visionaries.
The festival provides startups and the wider innovation ecosystem with an opportunity to grow, showcase their capabilities and attract investment and reach new markets.
Expressions of interest are now open for international businesses to participate in the Global Tech and Innovation Program 2024.
This program is held alongside the West Tech Fest and offers a package of activities, networking opportunities and an introduction to WA's digital technology industry and innovation ecosystem.
Invest and Trade Western Australia will cover activity participation costs for one international delegate per eligible applicant/company, and all other costs are at the expense of the delegate.
While the week-long festival features special events across Perth, for the first time the base camp for West Tech Fest will be the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The festival will include networking events, pitching opportunities, mentoring sessions, hackathons, as well as showcasing events including a Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase.
Investors who are attending this year include CSIRO's Main Sequence, Airtree and Blackbird among a list of others.
Prior to West Tech Fest in December, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson will lead a delegation of 10 WA technology companies to South by Southwest (SSSW), Sydney.
Representatives from WaveX, Kivik Group, ARCH REBELS, SpaceDraft, Claras.ai, Pretect Devices, Nani Creative, Selsus, Foody Bag and Peritas will be heading east to showcase what the west has to offer.
The international conference, being held in October, opens the doors for introductions, networking and exciting opportunities to assist WA's upcoming innovation and technology to turn their dreams into reality.
West Tech Fest passes are now on sale and for more information see: West Tech Fest 2024 | 2 to 6 December - Perth, WA.
As stated by Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This year's West Tech Fest program is shaping up to be a cracker with an incredible array of inspiring speakers leading global groundbreaking companies that are prepared to turn convention on its head.
"This is a chance to showcase the amazing level of talent that we have in WA to our global guests and to give our local startups an opportunity to grow and put their capabilities on display to attract investment and market attention.
"The Cook Government is a passionate and long-term supporter of West Tech Fest and through our New Industries Fund we've invested $500,000 for this year's event and next year.
"I am also looking forward to leading our WA delegation to South by Southwest later this year, where they will have the opportunity to showcase themselves on an international stage."
