Local Innovators Set 2025 WA Awards Record

• Record number of applications received for the 2025 WA Innovators of the Year Awards
• Finalists will share in over $280,000 in prizes, along with access to an exclusive Accelerator Program offering mentoring, legal and commercialisation support
• Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 3 November 2025

A record number of applications and finalists headline the 2025 WA Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) Awards program, showcasing the strength and diversity of the local innovation ecosystem.

A total of 91 applications were received across five of the program's categories, representing a broad range of industries and ideas.

This year, 24 finalists have been selected by independent evaluation panels, 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.

The category winners will share in over $280,000 in prizes, with $60,000 awarded to each of the winners in the Emerging and Growth categories, and $15,000 to two runners up.

Additional prizes include PhD student placements provided by Biodesign Australia, and CERI training program access and mentorship opportunities.

Finalists for the two remaining categories, WA Government Innovators of the Year and the newly launched Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) WA Young Innovators of the Year, will be shortlisted in the coming weeks and announced in early September.

First launched in 2006, the WAIOTY program continues to support WA startups, entrepreneurs, and SMEs by profiling their work, building credibility and connecting them to commercialisation, funding and training opportunities.

All finalists will participate in an Accelerator Program which will include training in pitching, mentoring, legal and IP support, and social media strategy, along with a professional video and photography package to promote their innovation.

The winners will be announced at the WAIOTY Awards Ceremony on Monday, 3 November 2025 at Crown Perth.

There have been several contributors to this year's awards, including WAIOTY major sponsor Rio Tinto and supporting sponsors Wesfarmers, Woodside Energy, Business News, Biodesign Australia, CERI, Wrays, BetterLabs, Nexia Australia, CSIRO, Moore Australia, AIMI, and the YEA.

For more information, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-and-economic-diversification/wa-innovators-of-the-year-2025-finalists

As stated by Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson:

"Innovation is thriving in Western Australia, and the record-breaking 91 applications for this year's WA Innovators of the Year Awards prove just how much momentum is building in our local innovation ecosystem.

"This year, we've expanded the program to include a brand new category recognising outstanding young innovators, and it's going to be fantastic to see who the finalists are from the next generation of problem solvers.

"Our independent judging panels had an enormous task this year, with more than 30 expert judges assessing an incredibly high calibre of applications across a broad range of industries.

"Congratulations to the 24 finalists - they represent some of the most exciting and impactful innovation happening in WA right now. I look forward to seeing who takes home the awards in November."

Full list of WAIOTY finalists & categories