--- title: Meshpoints Awards $215,000 to Initiatives Building AI Capability Across WA | Spacecubed description: Meshpoints awards $215,000 to 13 initiatives building AI capability across Western Australia, supporting businesses, communities and emerging talent. image: https://blog.spacecubed.com/hubfs/Misc%20banners%20(26).png --- [![SC\_Primary-Horizontal\_Colour\_Light](https://blog.spacecubed.com/hubfs/SC_Primary-Horizontal_Colour_Light.svg)](https://www.spacecubed.com/) - [Locations](https://www.spacecubed.com/locations) - [Programs](https://www.spacecubed.com/programs) - [Ecosystem](https://www.spacecubed.com/ecosystem) - [Capital](https://www.spacecubed.com/capital) - [Resources](https://www.spacecubed.com/resources) - [About](https://www.spacecubed.com/about) [Contact](https://www.spacecubed.com/contact) [Member Login](https://os.spacecubed.com/login/) - [Locations](https://www.spacecubed.com/locations) - [Programs](https://www.spacecubed.com/programs) - [Ecosystem](https://www.spacecubed.com/ecosystem) - [Capital](https://www.spacecubed.com/capital) - [Resources](https://www.spacecubed.com/resources) - [About](https://www.spacecubed.com/about) [Member Login](https://platform.spacecubed.com/) ← Back to Blog [Announcement](https://blog.spacecubed.com/tag/announcement) [Meshpoints](https://blog.spacecubed.com/tag/meshpoints) ![A group of 13 initiatives funded through Meshpoints' AI Challenge, supporting AI capability and innovation across Western Australia.](https://blog.spacecubed.com/hubfs/Misc%20banners%20(26).png) # Meshpoints Awards $215,000 to Initiatives Building AI Capability Across WA By Ciaran Overend 21 October 2026 Following our Promotion & Storytelling and Resilience & Wellbeing Challenges, our third Meshpoints Challenge turned to one of the biggest shifts shaping how we live and work, asking an important question: *How might we support Western Australian communities to access the knowledge, skills, technology and opportunities needed to thrive in an AI-enabled future?* AI is quickly changing how people learn, work, create and build businesses. But access to AI capability isn't evenly spread, and many communities, regions and organisations across WA risk being left behind without the right skills, tools and support. This Challenge explored how the ecosystem could build practical AI capability, expand access to emerging technologies and create inclusive pathways for Western Australians, regardless of sector, stage or postcode. Following a competitive selection process, we're excited to announce **13 funded initiatives**, with a total of **$215,000** awarded to projects spanning education, entrepreneurship, the creative industries, agriculture and community services.  **Importantly, 11 of these initiatives will impact regional WA**, extending access to AI knowledge, skills and opportunities across the state. [Pollinators](https://www.pollinators.org.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) |  From Prompt to Practice: Hands-On AI Labs for the Mid West Pollinators will bring specialist AI facilitators to Geraldton through fortnightly evening workshops tailored to local community organisations, sports clubs, creative practitioners and startup founders. Sessions will cover foundational AI literacy and practical uses such as administration and customer engagement, supported by peer sharing and one-to-one problem-solving. The program will wrap up with a public hackathon, sharing what's been learned with the wider community. **Funding awarded: $20,000** All Saints' College ([Beyond Boundaries Institute](https://www.beyondboundariesinstitute.org.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) | ReimaginED 2027 Beyond Boundaries will deliver ReimaginED in Fremantle in April 2027, giving educators practical workshops on AI in education, digital literacy and responsible adoption. The initiative will subsidise places for 20 educators from less-resourced WA schools, helping them build practical next steps for their schools and access ongoing professional networks. **Funding awarded: $10,000** [Enterprise Partnerships WA](https://www.enterprisepartnerships.org.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | AI Yarn: Educating and Empowering Kimberley Indigenous Communities to Feel Safe in an AI World A digital and social campaign will help Indigenous communities in the Kimberley understand AI-generated content, misinformation, deepfakes and online safety. Developed by local experts and featuring trusted Indigenous voices, faces and places, the campaign will also show how AI can support practical tasks like grant applications, EOIs and accessing resources. **Funding awarded: $20,000** [Linkwest](https://www.linkwest.asn.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | AI: Ability and Innovation Linkwest will help staff and volunteers in small WA not-for-profits and community organisations build practical AI skills, confidence and responsible-use practices. Drawing on its network of around 150 community centres, including more than 100 in regional WA, the program will deliver online training modules, self-paced recordings, practical guides, AI safety tools and template policies. **Funding awarded: $15,000** [Disruptive Force](https://www.linkedin.com/company/disruptive-force/) | Inclusive AI Pilot Disruptive Force will bring ten Reachy robots to the GoSH South West youth hackathon, building AI confidence and access for regional young people, including neurodivergent participants and those facing literacy, anxiety or confidence barriers. Child-safe and responsible-AI protocols will be developed with WADSIH, with trained mentors supervising participants throughout. **Funding awarded: $20,000** [St Catherine's College](https://www.stcats.com.au/bloom?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ([Bloom](https://www.bloom.org.au/)) | Futurescape: WA 2050 Bloom will run eight speculative worldbuilding workshops across Perth, Geraldton, Bunbury and Albany, helping young people use AI to imagine and shape WA's future. An open-access facilitation kit and public exhibition will extend the project's reach, building AI fluency, confidence and agency among young West Australians. **Funding awarded: $20,000** [Saltwater Country](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saltwater-country-inc./) | AI in Business: First Nations Founder Capability Program Saltwater Country will develop and pilot an AI capability program for First Nations entrepreneurs and emerging business owners. A culturally relevant e-learning course will build practical skills in productivity, marketing, customer engagement and responsible AI use, creating a reusable resource for future participants. **Funding awarded: $20,000** [Esperance Zone Innovation (EZI) Group](https://www.ezi.org.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | Building AI Capability within the Esperance Agricultural Community EZI Group will deliver hands-on AI workshops in Esperance and Ravensthorpe for people working in agriculture, from producers to farm business staff. Designed for beginners through to advanced users, the program responds to a clear regional gap in access to specialist technology training. **Funding awarded: $15,000** [Business Foundations](https://businessfoundations.com.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | Smarter Business Systems: Practical AI for Small Business Business Foundations will support 15–20 small business owners, prioritising regional, women-led and First Nations businesses, through four interactive workshops and three implementation clinics. Participants will map a real business process, build an AI-supported workflow and leave with a customised Business System Blueprint and 90-day action plan. **Funding awarded: $20,000** [Edith Cowan University](https://www.ecu.edu.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | AI Readiness (AIR) Tool Regional Roadshow Edith Cowan University will deliver workshops in Perth and regional WA to help small and medium businesses assess their AI readiness and identify practical next steps. Participants will receive a readiness score and tailored adoption roadmap, with follow-up workshops to support implementation. The program will prioritise female founders, culturally and linguistically diverse business owners, and First Nations-led enterprises. Funding awarded: $20,000 [FORM Building a State of Creativity](https://form.net.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | Beyond the Prompt: AI as Creative Medium FORM will introduce WA artists to creative uses of AI through workshops and a pop-up showcase featuring interactive and audio-reactive artworks. The program will explore new applications in creative practice and emerging business models, with a regional session at FORM's Port Hedland gallery and a dedicated session for Year 11–12 arts students. **Funding awarded: $15,000** [Chorus](https://chorus.org.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | Enabling Living Impact Chorus will design and pilot an AI tool to analyse Co-Valuation conversations: in-depth discussions that identify the needs of people receiving home care, including challenges such as social isolation. The pilot will build the AI capability of its frontline staff, with safeguards like human review and data protection supporting responsible use. **Funding awarded: $12,000** [Peel Chamber of Commerce & Industry](https://peelcci.com.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) | AI Ready Peel Peel Chamber of Commerce & Industry will launch AI Ready Peel through the Peel Business Academy, building practical AI capability for start-ups, sole traders and micro and small businesses in the region with limited time, training budgets and access to specialist support. **Funding awarded: $8,000** Together, these initiatives represent a focused effort to build AI capability across Western Australia, supporting educators, young people, artists, small businesses, First Nations entrepreneurs, regional communities and the not-for-profit sector to engage with AI confidently and responsibly. Importantly, these initiatives demonstrate the value of a challenge-led funding model, bringing organisations across the Meshpoints Partner Network together to respond to a shared need. As these initiatives begin delivery, we look forward to sharing their progress and the impact they create across WA. For organisations looking to address emerging needs across WA’s innovation ecosystem, the Meshpoints Open Challenge provides an ongoing opportunity to put forward new ideas and initiatives. Expressions of interest for the Meshpoints Open Challenge are now open on the Navigator. Learn more and [submit an EOI](https://www.meshpoints.com/fund/challenges/open). Meshpoints, powered by Spacecubed and supported by [Lotterywest](https://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/), is committed to building a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem across Western Australia. 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