"A vibrant high-tech sector in Western Australia could contribute over $76 to $100 Billion in Gross State Product in 2025, with 3,000 to 5,000 new companies formed per year in the sector, creating over 150,000 new jobs by 2025 and enabling many more." StartupWA 2015-16 Ecosystem Report

Digital technology such as smartphones, internet software, sensors, robotics, AI and autonomous cars are transforming our society and economy at unprecedented rates. Changing the fundamental nature of everything from taxis to hotels, health and banking.

The largest companies of the last century were industrial corporations; mass-production companies such as Ford and GE, and resource companies such as Exxon, BP and BHP. In 2024, the most valuable companies in the world were: NVIDIA, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon and Meta (Facebook/Instagram). Where are the Australian and WA tech companies?

Over the past decade, the early-stage innovation and tech sector in WA has emerged to be a significant force, but still lacks essential resources and support. Enter StartupWA...

StartupWA was formed in 2015 as a non-profit entity to enable a more open, representative and effective approach to advance the startup industry in WA.

Vision: For Western Australia to be recognised as a global hub for entrepreneurial and technology talent and where the value that startups bring to the economy is widely embraced.

Mission: To advance the startup industry in Western Australia by:

Increasing the visibility and understanding of the WA startup industry globally; and
Working with government and others - at all levels - to ensure that the interests of the startup industry are represented.

Values: Trusted. Driven. Open

Benefits of StartupWA’s existence since inception include:

Voice to influence State and national policy around innovation
Provision of trusted, accessible data and views from the WA startup sector
First point of contact for governments, interstate and international delegations
Means of engaging with the rapidly changing and diversifying sector
Publishing papers, press releases and speaking at events

Planned activities for include:

Annual

Continual reporting on the status and trends of WA’s startup sector

Quarterly

Roundtable events sharing successes, tackling big questions and learning as a community
Briefings on emerging trends, ventures and opportunities

Monthly

Publishing insights and updates, building on reports and events

Continual

Engagement with innovators, facilitators and supporters through meetings, online forums and events across the ecosystem
Advocacy with key decision-makers
Highlighting wins and opportunities

Learn more about supporting our mission and the WA startup ecosystem.

startupwa board

Our board has a wide range of experience in the technology industry. They have founded technology companies, accelerators, hackathons and co-working spaces, worked in venture capital and mentored a wide range of technology startups.