Launch day for StartupWA

A new not-for-profit representative organisation led by several local startup entrepreneurs and business leaders has officially launched today.

StartupWA aims to accelerate and promote the technology startup sector that includes investors, technology hubs, accelerator programs, and early-stage technology startup businesses.

It is being directed by Synaptor managing director and Unearthed director Justin Strharsky, Spacecubed managing director Brodie McCulloch, Springboard Enterprises Australia director Sheryl Frame, Unearthed and DataResources director Zane Prickett, Bloom director Mark Shelton, and senior startup coach at Pollenizer Sam Birmingham.

“WA lags behind other states in supporting innovation,” Mr Birmingham said.

“We’ve identified some easy wins and have already started conversations with the state government about how these could be implemented.”

StartupWA will work to promote technology entrepreneurship and advocate support from the government for the sector.

Mr Strharsky said new technologies introduced by startups are affecting almost every industry.

“They have the potential to disrupt local businesses, or to make them more efficient and competitive,” he said.

“StartupWA is about ensuring that we build the capacity in WA to benefit from technological change.”

A public launch event will be held on September 24.