WA Government backs WA tech innovation talent as Major Sponsor of 35th INCITE Awards

The 35th INCITE Awards is delighted to announce the Western Australian Government via the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification as Major Sponsor of this year’s record-breaking program.

Funded through the New Industries and Innovation Fund, the WA Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the state’s digital technology sector in sponsoring the 12-month INCITE Awards program.

This year’s program has already made history in achieving a record-breaking number of submissions. The platform is stewarded by the Western Australian Innovation, Technology and Talent Alliance (WAITTA).

With nominations now locked in, final judging is under way with finalists announced last week.

Winners will be announced at the awards gala evening on 17 July 2026 at The Westin, Perth - marking 35 years of championing the innovators, founders, and technologists driving WA forward. This year’s gala theme is Legacy x Future – a celebration of the history and future of WA technology innovation.

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The Department’s sponsorship of INCITE is aligned with the State Government’s Digital Industries Acceleration Strategy. The strategy is focused on long-term investment into growing a vibrant digital sector, lifting the digital capability of WA businesses and driving digital transformation across WA industries.

“Western Australia’s technology sector is one of our greatest assets, and the INCITE Awards has spent 35 years proving it. The Cook Government is proud to back this milestone event through the New Industries and Innovation Fund as investing in WA’s digital innovators is investing in the future of our economy and communities.”

- Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Science and Innovation, Western Australia

Minister for Science and Innovation, the Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC, speaks at last year's 34th INCITE Awards. Photo: Cohesion / WAITTA

INCITE Awards Co-Chairs Jess Etheridge and Cameron Zivkovic welcomed the partnership.

“We’re honoured that the WA Government is backing the 35th INCITE Awards. As our Major Partner, this collaboration affirms that WA’s digital talent is world-class and INCITE is the platform to amplify our people nationally and internationally. “Thank you to Minister Dawson, Senator Parwinder Kaur and the Department for backing this program’s milestone year.”

- Jess Etheridge, Co-Chair - INCITE Awards

Co-Chairs of the 35th INCITE Awards Jess Etheridge and Cameron Zivkovic said funding from the New Industries and Innovation Fund was core to the program's sustainability. Photo: Cohesion / WAITTA

Cameron said the partnership reflected a shared vision for where WA’s economy is heading.

“WA is building something real in the digital economy and the INCITE Awards have always been where that story gets told. Having the WA Government as our Major Partner in this milestone year means we can tell it louder, and take it further than ever before.”

- Cameron Zivkovic, Co-Chair - INCITE Awards

2026 a record-breaking year for INCITE Awards

Now in its 35th year, the INCITE Awards celebrate excellence in technology innovation across Western Australia's digital ecosystem - from breakthrough innovation and industry leadership, to commercial impact and emerging talent.

Established in 1991 by Jim Ellis OAM, the awards have evolved alongside the industry, expanding and adding new categories as new tech innovations emerge.

Since 2016, INCITE has provided an exclusive pathway for the State to participate nationally at the Australia iAwards and internationally at the Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA).

In more than three decades, almost 2000 nominations have been submitted through the INCITE Awards program. Since the iAwards pathway was established 10 years ago, more than 100 Western Australians have represented the State at the national level.

In 2025, Western Australia saw significant success with six participants securing a win or merit at the national awards, providing entry into the international Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA).

Three WA teams went on to participate: Norwood Systems, Professor Ahmed Abu-Siada of Curtin University, and Michella Hill of Edith Cowan University.

For WA’s Norwood Systems, 2025 was the third time the company had walked the INCITE-iAwards-APICTA pathway. Held in Kaohsiung City in December, Norwood Systems won the Industrial and Infrastructure Solution of the Year Award for Open Span Call Protect – AI-driven tech helping combat phone scammers globally.

Norwood Systems' Chief Executive Officer Paul Ostergaard received the Industrial and Infrastructure Solutions Award at the 2025 Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Awards. Photo: Supplied

Nominations for the 2026 iAwards pathway categories have now closed, with a record-breaking 94 nominations received this year. From this cohort, 63 have been named finalists and have progressed into the final round of judging. Winners will be announced at the 17 July gala evening.

Visit the Department’s website to find out more about the WA Government’s New Industries and Innovation Fund and the Digital Industries Acceleration Strategy.

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