WA Innovators of the Year Launch 2026!

Morning Startup is proud to host the official launch of the 2026 Western Australian Innovators of the Year (WA IOTY) Awards, celebrating WA’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit for 20 years.

The WA Innovators of the Year Awards recognise the people, ideas and technologies shaping Western Australia’s innovation ecosystem. Delivered by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, the program acknowledges emerging and growth-stage innovators who are creating economic, social and environmental impact for the State - from entrepreneurial ventures and cutting-edge research through to innovative products and services.

As the flagship awards program in Western Australia’s innovation calendar, WA IOTY supports innovators to grow, scale and succeed. Finalists gain access to funding, professional development and accelerator opportunities that strengthen capability, encourage collaboration and turn innovation into real-world outcomes for Western Australia.

What to expect at the launch
The morning will open with a welcome from the Minister for Science and Innovation, Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, followed by an address from WA Innovators of the Year Patron Professor Fiona Wood - one of the State’s most respected innovators and leaders.

We will then hear from the new Major Sponsor of the WA Innovators of the Year Awards, the Malka Foundation. With a strong commitment to entrepreneurship, education and long-term impact, the Foundation supports initiatives that help build capability across Western Australia’s innovation ecosystem and create clear pathways for the next generation of founders and innovators to grow, scale and thrive.

The program concludes with insights from Sarah Mitchell of Typeset on communicating the value of innovation to business and the broader community. Drawing on a career spanning technology and strategic communication, Sarah is a global leader in content marketing and an expert in writing winning award submissions.

Applications for the 2026 WA Innovators of the Year Awards officially open at 11:00am on the day, marking the first step in a milestone year that celebrates two decades of innovation excellence in Western Australia.

Agenda:

• 7:30 am: Morning Startup intro including 'shameless plugs and announcements' where you can introduce yourself or announce your startup to the Perth startup community!
• 7:45 am: Innovators of the Year Launch for 2026 with Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Professor Fiona Wood, Derek Gerrard and Sarah Mitchel.
• 8:30 am: Networking & breakfast
• 9:00 am: Finish

Live stream
This event will also be live streamed by the amazing folks at [Perthvideo.com.au](http://perthvideo.com.au/)

Access the live stream and all our post-event recordings here:
https://perthvideo.com.au/morning-startup-perth/

Coffee, Food and Sponsors
Tell Joey Zaza's you're heading to Morning Startup on the way in for a free coffee courtesy and enjoy some of their delicious breakfast treats courtesy of the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.

And thanks to the amazing folks Purpose Ventures, Everest Engineering, Ammo Marketing and Beacham Group for keeping this Morning Startup alive 🙏 ❤️