As West Tech Fest lit up Perth from December 2 - 6, the city became a hub for innovation, connection, and entrepreneurial energy. Known as Australia’s longest-running tech and innovation festival, West Tech Fest brought global leaders, investors, and tech enthusiasts together across a range of exciting events. As Perth’s premier innovation hub, Spacecubed was thrilled to play a key role in a few initiatives throughout the week, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to supporting Western Australia’s vibrant startup ecosystem.
The week began with a global focus as we welcomed international delegations to Riff, powered by Spacecubed, as part of our Perth Landing Pad program, supported by the City of Perth and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. These visitors, representing startups and scaleups from around the world, were able to enjoy a guided tour of the space and were introduced to the program designed to support high-growth companies expanding into the APAC region.
We were also excited to offer all international and interstate startups visiting Perth for West Tech Fest, the opportunity to utilise the Riff coworking space free of charge for the duration of the week. This was able to provide them with a productive environment for networking and collaboration, setting a positive tone for the days ahead.
On Wednesday morning, we were thrilled to host Morning Startup, focused on finding your tribe and navigating the WA startup scene. Our Programs Coordinator, Juliette Lucas, joined an expert panel to showcase how Spacecubed’s Plus Eight programs support startups in taking their businesses to the next level, with offerings like our six-month seed-funded Accelerator, our six-week Pre-Accelerator, and much more (learn more about Plus Eight here!)
This insightful discussion explored the resources, networks, and pathways available for founders in WA’s dynamic startup ecosystem. It was an opportunity for attendees to connect with key players and discover the support systems ready to help them succeed.
Later that day, the Spacecubed team attended Freo Startup Fest, where the highly anticipated Golden Ticket pitch took centre stage. This competition highlights standout startups from various industries that have completed programs at leading incubators and accelerators across WA this year. Among the participants was Jessica Rees, founder of Cuddle Cup, who recently took home first place at our City of Perth Pre-Accelerator Pitch Night (read the full recap here!). Congratulations to Maggie Ciobani, founder of Yoochooz, for winning the Entrepreneurial Prize category, securing herself a spot in our highly-coveted 2025 Plus Eight Accelerator bootcamp, set to run in April.
During the event, Spacecubed’s A/CEO, Ophelie Cutier, also took centre stage during the Reverse Pitch, an exciting segment where accelerators and venture capital firms showcased their value to the audience. During the pitch, Ophelie spotlighted Spacecubed's Plus Eight programs, a suite of tailored business growth initiatives designed to propel startups toward global success.
Then, to wrap up the week of events, on Thursday at the flagship West Tech Main conference, we were excited to host our Office Hours & Ask the Expert program for its fourth consecutive year. This initiative was able to provide a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs attending the conference to engage in free 15-minute one-on-one sessions with top-tier investors and industry leaders, including representatives from Blackbird, Ten13, Purpose Ventures, Birchal, Larsen Ventures, BetterLabs, Radium Capital, Vici Ventures, Kashcade, FundWA, Tractor Ventures, and much more. These sessions were a resounding success, offering attendees tailored insights and connections to propel their businesses forward.
West Tech Fest this year was a powerful celebration of WA’s thriving startup ecosystem, bringing together global leaders, local innovators, and entrepreneurs. The festival’s dynamic events strengthened and solidified connections, providing valuable opportunities for growth and collaboration. As the year draws to a close, we look forward to seeing how the momentum from this incredible week continues to shape the future of tech and innovation in WA and beyond.
Interested in attending more events designed to connect and empower startups? Wrap up the year with us at the Spacecubed Christmas Sundowner on Friday, December 13, at Fern Courtyard from 4:00pm. Join us for an evening of festive cheer, networking, and celebration with Spacecubed members and the wider community. Tickets are FREE for members and just $20 + booking fees for non-members. Learn more and sign up here!
