Supporting the Next Generation of WA Innovators

We believe that some of the most exciting ideas for the future are already taking shape in the minds of young Western Australians. That is why we are proud to be supporting two awards programs that recognise and nurture emerging innovators and changemakers across the state. 

In 2025, our CEO Elizabeth Knight had the privilege of serving as a judge for the WA Young Innovator of the Year Award, a new category within the WA Government's Innovator of the Year Awards. With 37 outstanding applications received from young innovators across WA, the calibre of ideas on display was a genuine testament to the creativity and ambition of the state's young people. 

Building on that involvement, in 2026 we are supporting the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of WA to deliver two dedicated workshop streams for WA Young Innovator of the Year participants. 

The first stream is open to all students who applied for the Award, not just finalists. Delivered across three workshops, it is designed to celebrate and grow participants' entrepreneurial skills, connect them with a peer community who share their passion for innovation, and deepen their understanding of the pathways that entrepreneurial thinking can open. Students will gain a practical introduction to Perth's broader ecosystem of entrepreneurs, hubs and networks, and have the opportunity to develop their existing ideas further or explore entirely new ones. 

The second stream is designed specifically for finalists, building on last year's workshops to help them refine their design process and develop a more polished pitch. Beyond the sessions themselves, finalists will benefit from ongoing support, including access to relevant events, opportunities to present and speak, and connections to meaningful mentors within the WA innovation community. 

We are also proud to have supported the Game Changer Awards in 2025, which recognise young people driving positive change in their communities through leadership, creativity and innovation. The program reached more than 760 participants from 25 schools across WA, and brought together 95 industry judges from the WA technology and innovation ecosystem.

These programs represent exactly the kind of work we want to be part of: investing in bold ideas, building capability, and helping young people shape a brighter and more innovative future for Western Australia. 

To read more about our work in innovation and across all of our focus areas, download our full 2026 Report.