Technology, Innovation & Science

Curtin University won the WA Innovator of the Year Award last night for compounds that extend the life of fruit and vegetables.

Nearly two thirds of workers in small- and medium-sized businesses constantly solve IT problems as an addition to their day-to-day job, a survey of the sector has found.

Managing the swelling wave of technological change will require a whole-of-economy approach.

Fintech startup Finch, which was jointly established by former Perth business adviser and 40under40 award winner Toby Gardner, has completed a $2.25 million capital raising.

Federally-funded MTPConnect has announced a $1.2 million commitment to two healthcare projects, both of which involve Telethon Kids Institute as a collaborator.

Medical technology company Admedus has attracted investment group Partners for Growth for a $10 million debt facility, as it continues development of its products.

WA neurologist William Carroll has been named president of the World Federation of Neurology, the field’s top global position.

The team behind Perth-developed property app Openn Negotiation says it wants to bring transparency back to the residential sales game.

Local company Dreamscape Networks has entered into an agreement to acquire Sydney-based Enetica Group for $4.4 million in cash.

SPECIAL REPORT: Privately owned ICT firm Zetta Group has mapped out multiple growth paths, including Asian franchises and larger acquisitions.

SPECIAL REPORT: Rapid advances in cloud computing and data analytics are creating business opportunities.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to increase GDP growth by an additional 1.5 per cent per annum until 2035, according to research by consultancy Accenture.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has committed $2 million towards the development of a new curriculum in partnership with Tafe WA, which will focus on jobs around automation and future advancements in technology for the mining industry.

Medical cannabis company MGC Pharmaceuticals has locked in a supply agreement that it expects to net about $20 million in annual revenue.

SpacetoCo is a web-based application that allows users to search, book and pay for the space the user needs wherever he or she is located. It allows anyone who has space to list it for availability for free.

Dreamfit founder Darren Lomman is launching WA’s first reprocessing plant to recycle plastic into 3D printing filament.

OPINION: There has been a quiet revolution going on in the way businesses operate, thanks to something you may not have even heard of yet – chatbots.

Fibre tech company Nanollose has excited investors on its first day of trading on the ASX, following completion of a $5 million initial public offering.

Telstra says competition in the telecommunications sector remains tough and concedes it will probably lose customers to smaller rival TPG Telecom when the market newcomer establishes its own mobile phone network.

Medical technology company Neurotech International has tapped investors for $4 million to fund further development of its Mente Autism device.

Local tech company Dreamscape Networks has agreed to a $20 million cash advance facility with an undisclosed major Australian bank, to fund potential acquisitions.

Former Orbital Corporation boss Terry Stinson will join the board of Carnegie Wave Energy next month and succeed Jeff Harding as chairman, while Mark Woodall will also join the board of the renewables company.

Recruitment technology company Schrole Group has enjoyed fruitful gains on its first day of trading on the ASX, after completing a reverse takeover of Aquaint Capital Holdings and raising $6 million from investors.

The company commercialising an innovative spray-on burns treatment co-developed by medical entrepreneur Fiona Wood has launched a $17 million capital raising.

Vodafone has launched a new network that will reduce company costs and create greater power efficiency for businesses by wirelessly connecting millions of devices to the internet of things (IoT).

A partnership between Lockheed Martin and Curtin University highlights that WA researchers have a lot to offer when it comes to looking at the stars.

SPECIAL REPORT: Three Perth tech companies servicing the education sector have completed major capital raisings, and all for exactly the same amount, but each chose a very different path.

Carnegie Clean Energy has secured a $7.5 million debt facility with a Cottesloe-based investment group to assist with development of a 10-megawatt solar power station in Northam.

A modular car park construction company chaired by former Automotive Holdings Group boss Bronte Howson has announced plans to raise $6 million from investors and list on the ASX.

Notis is a website/app that connects students through a personalised classified offering within their own college campus.

Subiaco-based tech company K2fly has won a contract to provide its services to the manager of the West Pilbara iron ore project for an undisclosed sum.

OPINION: Cloud computing has helped startups embrace software subscription as a business option to boost cash flow and control costs.