A record number of applications and finalists have been named for the 2025 WA Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) Awards program.
A total of 91 applications were received across five of the program’s categories, representing a broad range of industries and ideas.
This year, 24 finalists have been selected by independent evaluation panels, including six finalists each from the Rio Tinto Emerging and Rio Tinto Growth categories.
An additional 12 finalists have been shortlisted for the three prestigious Platinum Awards: the Wesfarmers Wellbeing Award, Business News ‘Great for the State’ Award, and the Woodside Energy Innovation Award.
“Innovation is thriving in Western Australia, and the record-breaking 91 applications for this year’s WA Innovators of the Year Awards prove just how much momentum is building in our local innovation ecosystem,” said Science and Innovation Minister, Stephen Dawson.
“This year, we’ve expanded the program to include a brand new category recognising outstanding young innovators, and it’s going to be fantastic to see who the finalists are from the next generation of problem solvers.
“Our independent judging panels had an enormous task this year, with more than 30 expert judges assessing an incredibly high calibre of applications across a broad range of industries.
“Congratulations to the 24 finalists – they represent some of the most exciting and impactful innovation happening in WA right now. I look forward to seeing who takes home the awards in November.”
The category winners will share in over $280,000 in prizes, with $60,000 awarded to each of the winners in the Emerging and Growth categories, and $15,000 to two runners up.
Additional prizes include PhD student placements provided by Biodesign Australia, and CERI training program access and mentorship opportunities.
Finalists for the two remaining categories, WA Government Innovators of the Year and the newly launched Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) WA Young Innovators of the Year, will be shortlisted in the coming weeks and announced in early September.
First launched in 2006, the WAIOTY program continues to support WA startups, entrepreneurs, and SMEs by profiling their work, building credibility and connecting them to commercialisation, funding and training opportunities.
All finalists will participate in an Accelerator Program which will include training in pitching, mentoring, legal and IP support, and social media strategy, along with a professional video and photography package to promote their innovation.
The winners will be announced at the WAIOTY Awards Ceremony on Monday, 3 November 2025 at Crown Perth.
There have been several contributors to this year’s awards, including WAIOTY major sponsor Rio Tinto and supporting sponsors Wesfarmers, Woodside Energy, Business News, Biodesign Australia, CERI, Wrays, BetterLabs, Nexia Australia, CSIRO, Moore Australia, AIMI, and the YEA.
Full list of WAIOTY finalists & categories:
| Rio Tinto Emerging Category | |
| Company | Project titles |
| Acculaser | Acculaser Precision Guided Drilling For Smarter Faster Underground Operations |
| Anni | Anni connects individuals with verified health and wellbeing professionals—anytime, anywhere—via fast, affordable micro-consults® |
| Ekion | Next-generation metal mining using electrokinetic in situ recovery |
| Electric Power Conversions Australia | Full Electric Off-Road Mining Truck Retrofit |
| Indigivision | Healthy Country Framework – Aboriginal led, technology enabled model that empowers Traditional Owners to lead land use planning, heritage protection and sustainable development on their terms |
| ProGenis Pharmaceuticals | PGP-011 as an Effective RNA Therapeutic for Treating Insulin Resistance |
| Rio Tinto Growth Category | |
| Company | Project titles |
| Clear Carbon | Clear Carbon – Intelligent, Real-time Emissions Automation for Air, Water and Land |
| Greenroom Robotics | GAMA – Greenroom Advanced Maritime Autonomy |
| Hayes Recycling | Recycling the unrecyclable: Western Australia’s Subsea Umbilical, Riser and Flowlines |
| Hey Sister! | A New Treatment for Period Pain, PMS and Menopausal Symptoms |
| Living Oceans | Living Ecosystems – WA Leading the World Sustainable Marine Aquarium Industry |
| SpaceDraft | SpaceDraft: A Human-Centered Communication Platform Bridging Understanding for the Vulnerable |
| Wesfarmers Wellbeing Category | |
| Company | Project titles |
| Emyria Limited | Medication-assisted therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder |
| Fly2 Health Group | Breaking down barriers to improve access to rural and remote allied healthcare |
| Gene S | Innovative pharmacogenomic genetic test platform with analytic and reporting software |
| Matilda Health | Matilda: Australia’s First Digital Surgery Support Program for Endometriosis |
| Business News ‘Great for the State’ Category | |
| Company | Project titles |
| Greenroom Robotics | GAMA – Greenroom Advanced Maritime Autonomy |
| SafeStyle | SafeStyle Protective Eyewear |
| The Volte | Seamlist: a world-first retail integration platform that connects traditional fashion retailers directly to the circular economy |
| Whole Green Foods | Whole Ingredient Nutrient Extraction Processing Technology |
| Woodside Energy Innovation Category | |
| Company | Project titles |
| Clear Carbon | Clear Carbon – Intelligent, Real-time Emissions Automation for Air, Water and Land |
| Hayes Recycling | Recycling the unrecyclable: Western Australia’s Subsea Umbilical, Riser and Flowlines |
| Molyneux Advisors | Grain-e: analysing geological rock chips using high-resolution images |
| Xplorate Pacific | Xplorate Intelligence Portal: gathering information technology and turning it in to useful data |
For more information, visit:Â https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-and-economic-diversification/wa-innovators-of-the-year-2025-finalists.
