Companies working with researchers and graduates from The University of Western Australia to improve fashion sustainability, mining techniques, health outcomes and communications on Earth and beyond have been named finalists in the 2025 State Government's WA Innovators of the Year awards.
This year, 24 finalists were selected including six finalists each from the Rio Tinto Emerging and Rio Tinto Growth categories.
An additional 12 finalists have been shortlisted for the three prestigious Platinum Awards: the Wesfarmers Wellbeing Award, Business News 'Great for the State' Award, and the Woodside Energy Innovation Award.
Ekion, a next-generation metal mining company, and ProGenis Pharmaceuticals, an enterprise investigating type 2 diabetes treatment, are finalists in the Rio Tinto Emerging Category
Ekion was founded by UWA researchers Professor Henning Prommer, from UWA's School of Earth Sciences, and Dr James Jamieson and international collaborator Dr Riccardo Sprocati.
The research behind the mining technique, which uses electric fields to extract metals from hard rock ore to reduce the mining footprint, was generated through the CSIRO and UWA project.
Professors Bu Yeap and Girish Dwivedi, from UWA's Medical School, are clinical advisers to ProGenis Pharmaceuticals. The company is investigating the use of a small RNA drug PGP-011 to treat insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes.
Living Oceans, a sustainable marine aquarium industry, and SpaceDraft, an inclusive communication company, are finalists in the Rio Tinto Growth Category.
Researchers from UWA Shenton Park Field Station have helped develop and test the Living Ocean's ecosystems, from aquarium equipment to bio-active sands and sustainably sourced marine life.
UWA engineering graduate and former staff member Martin Porebski helped SpaceDraft develop the infrastructure for the platform designed to help people and teams map, rehearse and communicate any scenario across space and time.
Emyria, a company creating medication-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, and biotechnology company Gene S, are finalists in the Wesfarmers Wellbeing Category.
Founded by UWA Science and MBA graduate Adam James, Emyria licenses its technologies with UWA.
The company is helping support future mental health needs by combining advanced care models with proprietary drug development and has ongoing research collaboration with UWA.
Founded by UWA graduates Dr Suzanna Lindsey-Temple and Dr Svetlana Baltic, Gene S provides innovative gene testing technology.
The company's Next Generation Sequencing solution features advanced gene testing and reporting software that empowers laboratories and doctors to deliver faster and more accurate pharmacogenomic results, optimising patient care.
The Volte, a luxury clothing rental business, is a finalist in Business News 'Great for the State' Category
UWA arts and law graduate Bernadette (Faulkner) Olivier is co-founder and CEO of The Volte.
The company's project Seamlist is a world-first retail integration platform that connects traditional fashion retailers directly to the circular economy.
The awards support WA startups, entrepreneurs, and small-to-medium enterprises by profiling their work, building credibility and connecting them to commercialisation, funding and training opportunities.
The WA Innovators of the Year winners will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, 3 November.
