Innovators break records for WAIOTY 2025

The 2025 WA Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) Awards program has seen a record number of applications.

A total of 91 applications were received across five of the program’s categories, representing a broad range of industries and ideas and showcasing the strength and diversity of the local innovation ecosystem.

The WAIOTY program, first launched in 2006, continues to support WA startups, entrepreneurs and SMEs by profiling their work, building credibility and connecting them to commercialisation, funding and training opportunities.

A total of 24 finalists have been selected by independent evaluation panels including six finalists each from the Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) Emerging and Rio Tinto Growth categories.

An additional 12 finalists have been shortlisted for the Wesfarmers Wellbeing Award, Business News Great for the State Award and the Woodside Energy Innovation Award.

The category winners will share in more than $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, 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.

WA Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson says Innovation is thriving in WA.

“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,” he said.

“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.

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.

There have been several contributors to this year’s awards, including WAIOTY major sponsor Rio Tinto and supporting sponsors Wesfarmers, Woodside Energy (ASX: WDS), Business News, Biodesign Australia, CERI, Wrays, BetterLabs, Nexia Australia, CSIRO, Moore Australia, AIMI and the YEA.