WA Government Distributes $2.5 Million Across 14 Organisations Under Innovation Pathways Program

The Western Australian government has announced $2,556,885 in grants to 14 organisations under its Innovation Pathways Program, backing startup accelerators, founder education initiatives, and investor capability programs across the state.

The funding forms part of the Cook Labor Government’s $40 million New Industries and Innovation Fund, with this round supporting five accelerator programs and nine entrepreneur and investor education initiatives spanning sectors including defence, agtech, health and medical life sciences, creative industries, energy, and primary industries.

Grants of up to $300,000 are available under the accelerator support stream, while entrepreneur and investor education grants are capped at $200,000.

Who’s receiving funding?

Recipients include Spacecubed Ventures, which will run its Plus Eight Accelerator program for 2026, and AgriStart, which is delivering the HARVEST + AgriSpace WA Agtech Investment Readiness Accelerator. Atomic Sky received funding for its HORIZON Impact Bridge WA program, while the Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation (CERI) will run its FIRST program targeting female innovators in research, science and technology.

Other recipients include Impact Seed for its Impact Investment WA Alliance, Health Translation Group for biotechnology and health investor engagement, the Ocean Impact Organisation for a Blue Economy Innovation Platform, and First Nations X for its FNX Scale program.

South West Angels received funding for a Regional Innovation and Investment Program, and Pollinators will operate a Mid West WA program — continuing the government’s push to direct innovation support beyond the Perth metro area.

Regional and diversity focus

The government says 43% of funded initiatives target regional Western Australia, 36% focus on increasing women’s participation, and 21% support First Nations participants.

Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the program is designed to help turn WA ideas into investment-ready businesses. “Across defence, science, technology, and agtech, the program supports founders to commercialise research, scale emerging companies, and attract private capital,” he said.The next round of the Innovation Pathways Program is expected to open in November 2026. More information is available via the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.