Meshpoints, powered by Spacecubed and supported by Lotterywest, is committed to building a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem across WA.
Earlier this year, we introduced a new challenge-led approach to funding, designed to focus investment on the most pressing needs across the ecosystem. Our first Challenge on Promotion & Storytelling asked a simple but important question: ‘How can we better showcase Western Australia’s innovation ecosystem so it’s recognised as a place where ideas and entrepreneurs thrive?’
Following a highly competitive process, we’re excited to announce eight funded initiatives, with a total of $152,550 awarded to projects that will strengthen the visibility, confidence and credibility of WA’s innovation ecosystem locally, nationally and globally.
These initiatives reflect a shared focus on telling better stories, showcasing real outcomes, and shifting perceptions of WA as a place to build and invest.
The Hub on SX — The Full Return
In collaboration with Ocean Impact Organisation and For Blue, this project will develop a series of case studies showcasing both the financial and non-financial returns of investing in WA startups.
As Nicola Devonald, General Manager of the Hub on SX shares, “This project is important because it tackles one of the biggest barriers in WA’s innovation ecosystem: perception. Too often, investing in startups is seen as high risk and hard to quantify. What we’re doing is shifting that narrative by putting real evidence on the table.”
Through quantifiable measurement, and video, written and visual content, the initiative aims to build confidence among new and emerging investors by making the value of WA innovation more visible, credible and accessible. $20,000 has been awarded to The Hub on SX.
South West Angels — Amplifying Regional WA Innovation through Education & Investment
The initiative delivers targeted workshops and coaching to help regional founders develop investor-ready narratives and professional communication skills. These activities culminate in a public showcase event designed to increase broad awareness of regional innovation. By capturing this content for broader amplification and educating local family offices on investment fundamentals, the project builds visibility to support long-term future pathways to investment in startups in regional WA. $14,950 has been awarded to South West Angels.
Circular Fashion Council — Circular Fashion Festival 2026: Design Stories & Marketing Incubator
Supporting 20 - 30 WA circular fashion designers, this program will deliver workshops, professional content creation and integrated festival exposure to build brand, storytelling and commercial capability. The initiative aims to boost visibility of WA’s circular fashion sector while creating lasting opportunities for designers. $20,000 has been awarded to the Circular Fashion Council.
St Catherine’s College (Australian Institute of Transformation and AI) — WA AI Adoption Report
This project will deliver WA’s first comprehensive report on how local founders are adopting AI, supported by multimedia case studies and an open-source research pipeline. The initiative will showcase real-world applications, inform decision-making, and strengthen confidence in WA’s emerging AI ecosystem. $20,000 has been awarded to St Catherine’s College.
Saltwater Country Ltd — Elevating First Nation Ecosystem Contribution through Digital Storytelling
This initiative will showcase First Nations founders across WA, highlighting regional entrepreneurship while connecting to statewide and international innovation networks. Through short-form videos, social content, and podcast interviews, the campaign will create a reusable digital library and act as a pre-launch to a live storytelling event. $20,000 has been awarded to Saltwater Country Ltd.
Fremantle Chamber of Commerce — Fremantle Innovation Exchange
A curated storytelling series featuring founders and sector leaders across key industries in the City of Fremantle, this initiative will combine live sessions, case studies and digital content to amplify WA innovation nationally, while building local skills, confidence and connections. $17,600 has been awarded to Fremantle Chamber of Commerce.
Curtin University (Young Entrepreneurs Academy WA) — Founder Story Video Series
This initiative will produce professionally filmed founder stories to address the gap in how entrepreneurial pathways are communicated in WA schools. By featuring founders from greentech, AI, social enterprise and energy sectors and distributing them alongside curriculum-aligned learning resources for YEAWA partner schools and beyond, provide relatable entrepreneurial role models, the program aims to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, particularly in regional and underrepresented communities. $20,000 has been awarded to Curtin University.
Innovate Australia — AI for Good Innovation Factory Australia
A national program connecting Australian innovators to global opportunities, this initiative will deliver a competition, workshops and a live finals event, producing founder profiles and content that highlight innovation outcomes while strengthening international visibility and collaboration. $20,000 has been awarded to Innovate Australia.
Together, these initiatives represent a coordinated effort to address one of the ecosystem’s most persistent challenges. By telling better stories, showcasing real outcomes and making innovation more accessible and understood, these projects will help position WA as a credible and competitive place to build, invest and grow.
Importantly, they also demonstrate the power of a challenge-led funding model; bringing organisations together to respond to shared ecosystem needs, rather than working in isolation.
As these initiatives begin delivery, we look forward to sharing their progress and outcomes with the wider ecosystem. At the same time, Meshpoints continues to build on this momentum. Our next funding round, the Resilience & Wellbeing Challenge, is now open until June 11, 2026, focused on strengthening support for founders and teams across WA. Explore the latest Challenge and submit your Expression of Interest here!