WA Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly has announced the eight finalists of the 2019 Western Australian Innovator of the Year program.
The program started in 2006 under the WA Government to showcase innovative and entrepreneurial individuals and businesses at the emerging or growth phase of development. Award winners must demonstrate an economic, social or environmental benefit for the State.
In 2019, Rio Tinto is the program’s primary sponsor. There are eight finalists across the WA Innovator of the Year’s Rio Tinto Emerging Innovation category and the Rio Tinto Growth category. These finalists are in the running to be crowned the WA Innovator of the Year – Overall Winner.
In addition, there are 16 finalists for the program’s Platinum Awards. In 2019, the program has four Platinum Award sponsors – Woodside, South32, DXC Technology and Business News.
The finalists and semi-finalists will now embark on commercialisation training which includes pitch presentation training; mentoring; digital and social media strategy as well as a legal health check. The finalists will also receive professional photography and video packages of their innovation to help market their innovation.
Winners will share in a prize pool of $150,000 and be announced at the program’s awards ceremony on November 6, 2019.
Source: WA Government