More than $615,000 to grow entrepreneur and investor education programs

  • Entrepreneur and investor education programs to receive grants totalling $616,240
  • Eight programs selected from 43 applications for round three of the McGowan Government's X-TEND WA program
  • Grants awarded to a diverse range of programs, including for female founders, First Nations and regional entrepreneurs
  • The McGowan Government is investing more than $615,000 to grow entrepreneur and investor education programs that support the commercialisation of Western Australian innovations.

    Eight programs will receive grants ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 through round three of the State Government's X-TEND WA program.

    A diverse range of programs were selected from more than 40 competitive applications, including initiatives developed for female founders, First Nations and regional entrepreneurs.

    The grants will be used by service providers to deliver programs that assist Western Australian entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand their capability and support their innovation journey.

    X-TEND also helps fund programs that improve investor education and build confidence in investing in innovative projects.

    Grant recipients will have a year to deliver their education program, and have also committed to a co-contribution.

    Since establishing X-TEND in 2019, the State Government has awarded more than $1.6 million to 19 education programs for sectors such as health technologies, regional innovation, export market entry and impact, and angel investment.

    The X-TEND WA program is part of the McGowan Government's $16.7 million New Industries Fund, which supports and accelerates new and emerging businesses to diversify the State's economy and create jobs. Provision to continue the fund until 2025 was made in the 2021-22 State Budget.

    For more information, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-jobs-tourism-science-and-innovation/new-industries-fund-x-tend-wa-program-grants

    As stated by Innovation and ICT Minister Stephen Dawson:

    "The McGowan Government is ensuring our promising innovators have access to programs that will help them build strong, viable businesses and create more local jobs.

    "Following a large number of competitive applications for round three of the X-TEND WA program, we have increased the total amount of funding available from $500,000 to more than $615,000.

    "Over the next year, the eight grant recipients will deliver education programs that support entrepreneurs on their innovation journey, from ideation to scale up, and help build confidence in investing in innovative projects."

    Company nameTitle of projectSector focusLocation
    VentureX HQ Pty LtdVentureX HQFemale founders and female investors networking educational program.Metro
    Agristart Pty Ltd CONNECT Sustainable IndustriesRegional focused support for entrepreneurs in the sustainable industries and future energy sector.Regionally focused

    Life Sciences

    Life Sciences WA Investment SeriesWA's first dedicated life sciences investor education program.Metro
    Atomic Sky Pty LtdQuantum TX WA 2022Cross sector industry growth and scaleup program in the space and technology economyMetro
    For Blue Pty LtdBlue Gravity - growing WA as a centre for marine industry innovationInvestment and support for innovative marine SMEs and WA's 'blue' (ocean) economyMetro and regionally focused
    IPS Foundation LtdCREATEPre-accelerator program for First Nation entrepreneurs from across Western Australia.Regionally focused
    St Catherine's College IncOrbit Accelerator ProgramAccelerator for youth entrepreneurshipMetro
    Spacecubed Ventures Pty LtdShe Codes Female Founders ProgramFemale founder development through a digital technology incubator program.Metro
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