Regional Innovation Summit
Description
Hosted at the historic Caves House, the Summit is intentionally designed as a roundtable-style gathering, bringing together regional and national changemakers for an interactive day of keynotes, panels, networking, and startup pitches.
Rather than a traditional conference format, participants sit in table groups — eating lunch, sharing expertise, and co-designing tangible, actionable outcomes for the future of WA’s regional innovation ecosystem. This format encourages conversations, connections, and cross-sector collaboration.
The program features keynote insights from Tim Jarvis AM — polar explorer, environmental champion and award-winning filmmaker — sharing lessons on leadership, resilience and sustainability, alongside Richard Beaumont, Founder & CPO of Govor from Agovor, who brings a global perspective on agtech, robotics and regional innovation leadership, complemented by an on-farm robotics demonstration on 12 March (details to be announced).
An interactive futures session facilitated by Jason McFarlane (GreenTech Hub) will invite participants to actively explore the question:
“From the regions, for the world: what greentech moonshots will Western Australia’s regions lead beyond 2040, and how will local innovation, investment and agency unlock new forms of prosperity, capability and influence?”
This hands-on activity is designed to surface bold ideas, shared priorities and practical pathways for regional-led innovation.
The Summit also highlights the power of collaboration between Indigenous knowledge, ecology, biotechnology and creative practice. Neville Poelina will share living Indigenous knowledge and real-world bush medicine applications, alongside Dr Pia Winberg, who will share the journey of Rosanna Angus, a Jawi woman from the Kimberley, and their work developing a marine-based product range. Dr Darren Holland will present groundbreaking research into anticancer compounds from WA’s marine sponges — positioning the South West as a globally significant natural laboratory for biomedical discovery.
Adding a creative dimension to the program, Joe Crossley will speak to Astralprojekt — an immersive light and art installation that transforms biological data and scientific concepts into a powerful sensory experience — exploring how art, science and innovation can intersect to spark new ways of thinking about our future.
Why Attend?
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Connect with founders, investors, researchers, industry experts, and government leaders
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Access on-the-ground insights into WA’s emerging ventures and innovation assets
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Experience uniquely curated regional and cultural experiences
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Collaborate in small-group settings to shape actionable outcomes for the Regional innovation ecosystem
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Be part of the BioInnovation Festival’s commitment to advancing life sciences, technology, and sustainable industries across WA
The Regional Innovation Summit is a BioInnovation Festival Satellite Event, supported by City of Busselton Economic Development Grants, South West Development Commission through the Innovative Industries of the Future (iiF) program, GreenTech Hub, Department of Energy and Economic Diversification through the CONNECT Sustainable Industries program and nbn® Australia. The Caves House Cleanser Sundowner is brought to you by Creative Tech Village.
