Applications have opened for the annual Western Australian Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY).
This year marks 20 years of the WA Government supporting and celebrating innovators through the awards ceremony. The awards continue to grow, with the introduction of an additional category and the largest prize pool to date of over $300,000.
For the first time, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovators of the Year Award will be presented, it will be open to those who use advanced technology and knowledge inputs as an integral part of their manufacturing process.
The awards serve as chance to recognise and celebrate outstanding local innovators who have created a high‑quality, innovative product, technology, or service that is at an early or scaling stage of development.
“Celebrating two decades of local innovators is a remarkable achievement, and the 2026 Innovators of the Year event is set to be one of the largest ever,” said Science and Innovation Minister, Stephen Dawson.
“With applications now open, we are representing an even greater share of the Western Australian innovation scene through the introduction of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovators of the Year Award. This is a field that consistently creates jobs and offers practical solutions to real-world issues.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for local innovators, and I encourage them to start preparing their applications now to make sure they have every chance to be a part of this celebration.”
Applications for the following six award categories close on Wednesday, 27 May at 11am:
- Emerging Innovation Award
- Growth Innovation Award
- Advanced Manufacturing Award
- Community Benefit and Wellbeing Award
- Energy Innovation Award
- Great for the State Award
Finalists of these categories will participate in an accelerator program commencing in July and which concludes with final pitches and judging.
The following two award categories, which do not involve accelerator programs, close on Friday, 24 July at 1pm:
- Government Innovation Award
- Young Innovators Award
Last year’s awards set two new records of participation with 40% of all applications coming from female founders and 17% of the applications from those based in regional WA.
Finalists will be announced later in the year, while all winners and runners-up will be celebrated at the WAIOTY Awards Ceremony on Monday, 2 November.
For more information visit Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year.
