Western Australia’s manufacturing and innovation sectors are represented among 23 businesses named as finalists for the 2026 WA Innovators of the Year awards, following more than 130 applications across six categories.
The finalists are competing across the Emerging Innovation, Growth Innovation, Advanced Manufacturing, Community Benefit and Wellbeing, Energy Innovation and Great for the State categories.
In a news release, the WA Government said applications were assessed through a competitive process involving independent external evaluation panels made up of stakeholders from the State’s innovation sector.
Among the finalists in the Advanced Manufacturing category are SpiroPak, Blakemere Engineering, Element Zero and Alba Edible Oils. Their projects include technologies focused on chemical and LNG processing, subsea connectors using additive manufacturing, lower-temperature mineral processing and edible oil refining.
Other finalists are developing technologies spanning renewable energy, medical devices, construction, mining, workplace safety and marine infrastructure.
The Government said the initiatives have the potential to deliver impacts including improved disease treatment and community safety, greater efficiency in building and construction, and increased renewable energy generation.
Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the awards provided an opportunity to recognise WA businesses developing new technologies and services.
“Our local innovation ecosystem continues to grow from strength to strength and the WA Innovators of the Year awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate achievements,” Dawson said.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the awards program, which was launched in 2006 to recognise innovative products, technologies and services developed by local businesses, government entities and young people.
“Congratulations to all who have become finalists, particularly with this year being the 20th anniversary of the awards,” Dawson said. “WA innovation has never been stronger.”
Previous winners include streaming service Kanopy, enterprise software provider Track’em and Greenroom Robotics, which won in 2025.
The remaining finalists in the Government and Young Innovator categories are expected to be announced later this year.
The awards ceremony will be held on 2 November, with a total prize pool of $310,000 to be shared among winners.
The Cook Government supports the program through its $40 million New Industries and Innovation Fund, which is focused on developing and accelerating local innovation-based technologies. The awards are managed by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.
Dawson said he was looking forward to the awards ceremony and seeing the finalists’ work.
“I wish each finalist the best of luck and am looking forward to attending the awards ceremony where I can see firsthand your achievements,” he said.
