Record number of applications for WA Innovators of the Year awards

  • 19 finalists competing for the WA Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) awards
  • Finalists in the running for $240,000 prize pool
  • New category with the WA Government Innovators of the Year Award

A record number of applications for the WA Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) awards has led to the highest number of innovators competing in the final stages of the program.

Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson said applications peaked at 89 across a diverse range of industries and the judges have now narrowed the field down to 19 finalists. This is up from 74 applications and 17 finalists last year.

Those who win their categories will share in an increased prize fund worth $240,000 with each category winner taking home $60,000. There will also be prize funds for two runners up, and three platinum award categories.

This year has also seen the addition of a new category for innovation in the public sector, the WA Government Innovators of the Year, which will be announced alongside the others at the awards ceremony in October.

Applications are still open for the public sector category, but close next Wednesday, 31 July.

There have been a number of contributors to this year’s awards including WAIOTY primary sponsor Rio Tinto along with Wesfarmers, Woodside Energy, Business News, Griffith Hack, Wrays, CERI (Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation), Biodesign Australia, Nexia Australia, BetterLabs, CSIRO, Moore Australia and AIMI (Australian Innovation Management Institute).

For more information see:New Industries Fund: Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year (www.wa.gov.au)

As stated by Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson:

“Innovation is booming here in Western Australia and this is reflected in a record number of applications and finalists for the WA Innovators of the Year awards.

“The Cook Government is helping to drive our dynamic innovation sector and directing funding to keep maintaining the momentum and these results are testimony to how exciting it is to be involved in our innovation sector.

“Our judges had their work cut out for them this year – with more than 30 who gave up their time to assess all 89 of the applications.

“Congratulations to our 19 finalists. Given the high standard of the applications our judges still have a lot more work to do.

“Just a reminder that applications remain open for our newest category which recognises innovators in our public sector and I encourage anyone suitable to make sure they have a go before it closes soon.”

Full list of WA Innovator of the Year finalists

Rio Tinto Emerging Category Finalists

Company

Description

Hermes and Soteria

Developing the Overwatch product to conduct subsurface monitoring of tailings storage facilities in mining

Materia Health Pty Ltd

Using the MateriaPOD unit to revolutionise organ/tissue cold storage and transportation to improve patient outcomes

Protect Devices Pty Ltd

A device to prevent extravasation injury in preterm neonates

RaptorTech Pty Ltd

Developing the Perceptn technology which is an advanced safe collision avoidance system

SeaStock Pty Ltd

Processing Asparagopsis seaweed to make agricultural products with less methane

Uluu

Using seaweed to progress the world’s first truly compelling alternative to plastic

Rio Tinto Growth Finalists

Company

Description

Deimos Laboratory Pty Ltd

Developing a cutting-edge visual analysis device

Genvis

Smart software systems for sharing emergency public information

Global Data Analytics trading as Tape Ark

Platform to collect and analyse data for organisations and industries

Hey Sister!

A new treatment for period pain, PMS and menopausal symptoms

Hy-Boost Technology

Emissions reduction and fuel saving for combustion engines

RaptorTech Pty Ltd

Developing a fleet management system

Business News ‘Great for the State’ Platinum Award

Company

Description

AMLab Pty Ltd

Transformational change at global ports through automation

Global Data Analytics trading as Tape Ark

Platform to collect and analyse data for organisations and industries

Uluu

Using seaweed to develop the world’s first truly compelling alternative to plastic

VetChip

Developing animal health monitoring technology

Wesfarmers Wellbeing Platinum Award

Company

Description

CoraMetix Pty Ltd

Bioengineering the next generation 3D-printed polymeric heart valve

Earthlingo Pty Ltd

Building a 3D world of language learning

Hey Sister!

A new treatment for period pain, PMS and menopausal symptoms

Setonix Pharmaceuticals

Cancer immunotherapy in a tablet

Woodside Energy Platinum Award for Energy Innovation

Company

Description

Nepternal Hydrogen

A semi-vapor electrolyser system for cost-effective green hydrogen production

Strada Percussion Drilling Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd

Developing a dual circulation water hammer drilling system

WaveX

Creating wave powered generators

/Public Release. View in full here.