At Meshpoints, with the support of Lotterywest, we’re committed to fueling Western Australia’s innovation ecosystem. By providing the resources and collaboration opportunities, we help entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers turn ambitious ideas into real-world impact.
In our latest funding round, we are thrilled to announce 6 new grant recipients, with a total of $267,860 awarded. This funding is about accelerating growth, sparking innovation, and empowering individuals and organisations to scale their impact. These grants represent a major step forward in shaping a dynamic, thriving future for WA’s innovation community.
Discover more about each of these newly funded initiatives below.
The BioInnovation Festival - Catalysing Bioinnovation in WA
The 2025 BioInnovation Festival, coordinated by Life Sciences WA, aims to foster innovation and collaboration within Western Australia's life sciences sector by showcasing local, national, and international innovations in medical, health, agriculture, aquaculture, and related fields. Through a dynamic mix of presentations, networking events, and an investors' weekend, the festival broadens its focus beyond traditional health and medical sectors, embracing a more comprehensive approach to life sciences. This integrated platform connects innovators, industry leaders, and investors, fostering knowledge-sharing and meaningful partnerships to drive the future of bioinnovation. This initiative received $10,000 under the Catalyst Inspire stream.
Equalizer: First Nation Entrepreneurship Mentorship and Coaching Program
Saltwater Country Ltd, in partnership with a myriad of collaborators, is launching the "Equalizer: First Nation Entrepreneurship Mentorship and Coaching Program" to support Indigenous entrepreneurs as they navigate the challenges of starting or expanding their businesses This initiative focuses on building resilience, developing transferable skills, and aligning personal and business goals to inspire well-rounded, purpose-driven leaders. By fostering innovation and empowering Indigenous enterprise, By providing holistic support and guidance, the program aims to strengthen Western Australia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive long-term success. This initiative received $80,000 under the Catalyst Create stream.
Al-cubator: Accelerating AI Entrepreneurs
The AI-cubator: Accelerating AI Entrepreneurs initiative, spearheaded by St Catherine’s College, is designed to fast-track AI startups from concept to launch within a 3-4 month program.Through intensive skills development, mentorship, and networking, the initiative supports students, young entrepreneurs, and ambitious founders in refining ideas, building prototypes, and testing concepts. Featuring two sprints, face-to-face sessions, 1:1 mentoring, and comprehensive workshops, the program culminates in a pitch night where participants showcase their ventures to investors. By connecting with top industry leaders and providing ongoing post-program support, AI-cubator aims to empower the next generation of AI-driven innovation.This initiative received $49,860 under the Catalyst Create stream.
BANDWIDTH
The BANDWIDTH program, spearheaded by Creative Corner Inc., is a dynamic initiative designed to strengthen Western Australia's creative and tech sectors by providing structured workshops, targeted mentoring, and a specialised curriculum focused on commercialisation and long-term business sustainability. Through key activities like PLUG-IN sessions and the AMPLIFY support-based initiative, BANDWIDTH nurtures talent across design, film, gaming, music, and technology while fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. With a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity, the program empowers WA’s creators, tech professionals, and innovators to "Own Your Space" in the creative ecosystem. This initiative received $68,000 under the Catalyst Create stream.
AI for Good Innovation Factory (WA)
Innovate Australia is leading the "AI for Good Innovation Factory," a groundbreaking initiative that harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) to drive positive societal impact in alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This unique accelerator provides local innovators with global exposure, mentorship, and opportunities to create meaningful, sustainable change through AI-driven solutions. This initiative received $20,000 under the Catalyst Create stream.
Propel Accelerator Fund
The Propel Fremantle Accelerator Fund, led by the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce Inc., is designed to strengthen the local economy by supporting ventures in the blue economy, sustainability, and immersive technology sectors. By fostering collaboration among established businesses, startups, scale-ups, and tertiary institutions, the initiative aims to position Fremantle as a leading hub for innovation. This initiative will include administrative management, overseeing the expression of interest process, conducting discovery interviews for customised venture diagnostics, and providing access to a wide range of support services such as coworking spaces, mentorship, and legal or technical guidance. The overarching goal is to drive economic growth and foster innovation within these key sectors. This initiative received $40,000 under the Catalyst Create stream.
Want to help shape the future of WA’s innovation ecosystem and go into the draw to win 1 of 5 $100 VISA gift cards? Have your say on what’s working, what’s missing, and what support is needed to help innovators and entrepreneurs thrive by completing our WA Innovation Ecosystem Survey. Your input will directly inform how programs, resources, and initiatives are designed to better meet the real needs of WA’s innovation community – Take the survey here! (Submissions close on February 28)
