Cook Govt Backs Innovation: $2.5M Boost for WA Startups

• Innovation Pathways Program awards $2.5 million to 14 organisations supporting startup acceleration, entrepreneur skills, and investor capability
• Program backs key sectors and helps startups become investment-ready and scale into global markets
• Funded through the $40 million New Industries and Innovation Fund, with the next round opening in November 2026
• Cook Labor Government investing in opportunities to support WA entrepreneurs and future ready jobs

The Cook Labor Government is continuing to strengthen Western Australia's innovation ecosystem, with more than $2.5 million awarded to support startup acceleration, entrepreneur capability, and investor education across the State.

Fourteen organisations will share in $2,556,885 in grants under the Innovation Pathways Program (IPP), a key initiative delivered through the State Government's $40 million New Industries and Innovation Fund (NIIF).

The Innovation Pathways Program provides competitive grants across three streams: Accelerator support, Entrepreneur education, and Investor education.

The program is designed to strengthen the pipeline of high-growth startups by supporting programs that help businesses become investment-ready, equipping founders with commercialisation and scaling skills, and increasing investor capability and participation.

Grants of up to $300,000 are available for Accelerator support, while Entrepreneur and Investor education streams offer up to $200,000 per grant.

This round of funding will support five accelerator programs and nine entrepreneur and investor education initiatives, spanning several Diversify WA priority sectors including energy, tourism and events, creative industries, defence industries, international education, health and medical life sciences, and primary industries.

The program is also delivering strong outcomes in priority areas, with 43 per cent of funded initiatives targeting regional Western Australia, 21 per cent supporting First Nations participants, and 36 per cent focused on increasing participation by women.

The next round of the IPP is expected to open in November 2026. To learn more about the program, visit: New Industries and Innovation Fund: Innovation Pathways Program

As stated by Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson:

"The Innovation Pathways Program is helping to build a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem by supporting the people and organisations that help startups succeed.

"These recipients are building the capability needed to turn Western Australian ideas into investment ready businesses.

"Across defence, science, technology, and agtech, the program supports founders to commercialise research, scale emerging companies, and attract private capital. There is also a strong focus on women, First Nations entrepreneurs, and regional innovators.

"The Cook Labor Government is working to helping diversify the State's economy through supporting new industries and future ready jobs."