Applications opened 24 April 2024 and will close at 11:00AM (AWST), Friday 31 May 2024.
We are looking for exceptional innovators in Western Australia who have developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, or service, which is at the emerging innovation or growth phase of development. The innovation must demonstrate an economic, social, and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
Now in its 18th year, the 2024 program recognises WA innovators across 5 categories. Category winners will share in the program's largest ever prize pool of $240,000. In addition to the funding available, the WAIOTY program offers all finalists:
- A professionally edited 2-minute video of their innovation which is shown at the Awards Ceremony and is gifted to the finalist following the conclusion of the program for marketing and promotion of their business and innovation.
- Professional photographs of the company and their innovation.
- Featured in a Business News full-page spread with their finalist peers.
- An invitation to an 'Accelerator Program', with workshops and webinars to refine your pitch presentation, protect your IP, grant writing and more.
More information on the relevant categories is available below, including how to apply. A new category for innovation within the public sector will open soon.
All award winners will be announced at the WAIOTY Awards Ceremony, which will take place in October 2024.
Find detailed application guidelines in the WAIOTY 2024 Application Guidelines document, accessible under 'Publications' at the bottom of the page.
You must submit your application through the online grants portal below.
For further information, email the innovation team at innovation@jtsi.wa.gov.au.
Program sponsors
Thank you to the official sponsors of the 2024 awards.
WA's Innovators of the Year – Rio Tinto Emerging Innovation
Show moreThe WAIOTY winner in the 'Emerging' category is awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that is pre-revenue. The applicant must also clearly demonstrate an economic, social and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia. The winner will also receive the benefits of a PhD student, through the support of Perth Biodesign, OR a place on a Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation bootcamp.
Cash prize: $60,000
Runner-up: WA's Innovators of the Year – Rio Tinto Emerging Innovation
Awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that is post-revenue, and is placed second in this category. The applicant must also clearly demonstrate an economic, social and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
Cash prize: $15,000
Applications will close at11am(AWST) onFriday 31 May 2024.Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the WAIOTY 2024 Application Information attached below under 'Publications'.
You must submit your application through the online grants portal below.
WA's Innovators of the Year – Rio Tinto Growth
Show moreThe WAIOTY winner in the 'Growth' category is awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process, or service that is post-revenue. The applicant must also clearly demonstrate an economic, social and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia. The winner will also receive the benefits of a PhD student, through the support of Perth Biodesign, OR a place on a Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation bootcamp.
Cash prize: $60,000
Runner-up: WA's Innovators of the Year – Rio Tinto Growth Innovation
Awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that is post-revenue, and is placed second in this category. The applicant must also clearly demonstrate an economic, social or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
Cash prize: $15,000
Applications will close at 11am (AWST) on Friday 31 May 2024. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the WAIOTY 2024 Application Information attached below under 'Publications'.
You must submit your application through the online grants portal below.
Woodside Energy Platinum Award for Energy Innovation
Show moreThe award in this category goes to a WA applicant who has developed an innovation that inspires and informs the future direction of oil, gas, and new energy production in WA, for export and for domestic WA customers, with new technology and new business models.
To be considered for this award you need to indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab.
Cash prize: $20,000
Applications will close at 11am (AWST) on Friday 31 May 2024. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the WAIOTY 2024 Application Information attached below under 'Publications'.
You must submit your application through the online grants portal below.
Wesfarmers Wellbeing Platinum Award
Show moreThe award in this category goes to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that advances social or medical wellbeing in the community.
To be considered for this award you need to indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab.
Cash Prize: $20,000
Applications will close at 11am (AWST) on Friday 31 May 2024. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the WAIOTY 2024 Application Information attached below under 'Publications'.
You must submit your application through the online grants portal below.
Business News Great for the State Platinum Award
Show moreThe award in this category goes to a WA applicant that has a compelling story to tell and best promotes WA as an ‘innovative state’. How did the innovation come about? What is the founders’ story? What problem does the innovation solve, and how, and why would this be of interest to a general business/news audience? Could the story be told in an engaging way on a podcast for example?
To be considered for this award you need to indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab
Cash Prize: $10,000. The cash prize will be accompanied by an advertising, subscription and sponsorship pack to the value of $10,000.
Applications will close at 11am (AWST) on Friday 31 May 2024. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the WAIOTY 2024 Application Information attached below under 'Publications'.
You must submit your application through the online grants portal below.
