Judging is now in progress ...
We’re shining a light on promising innovators all around Australia.
We are looking for Australia’s most creative solution to real-world problems.
Enter the Australian Innovation Competition to win a share of $150,000
Are you an innovator?
If you have a new idea or solution that creates value or benefit for customers, organisations or industry more broadly – then we want to hear from you.
What could you win?
An exciting prize pool of $150,000 will be split between five winners who best exemplify Australian innovation, as decided by our expert judges.
Competition Highlights
Open to
Australian Innovators – individuals or organisations resident or registered in Australia. Individual applicants under 18 years of age require parent or guardian consent.
Applications are now closed
Midnight (AEST) 31 August 2023
How to Enter
Entries are now closed
Why should you enter the Australian Innovation Competition?
A panel of innovation experts will select the top 5 solutions. Get your ideas in front of our incredible judges and gain national recognition for your idea’s potential to shape the future of Australia.
No matter how big or small, every idea will be in the running to win.
The Australian Innovation Competition prize pool is an impressive $150,000 to be shared between five winners of $30,000 each*.
*Subject to terms and conditions
Judges
Steve Baxter
Entrepreneur
Steve Baxter, a proud Queenslander, left school at 15 to join the Army’s apprenticeship program. His expertise in electronics, telecoms, and guided weapon systems led him to found SE Net, an internet service provider, which was acquired by Ozemail/UUNet. In 2001, he launched PIPE Networks, selling it for $373 million in 2005. Known for his role on Shark Tank Australia, he was appointed ‘Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur’ in 2018. Presently, he serves as Co-founder and Executive Chairman of TEN13, and Founder and Lead Investor of Beaten Zone Venture Partners.
Alex Blood
HEAD JUDGE
Alex is a passionate innovator and collaborator, and a globally experienced public and private sector executive. Alex has a passion for fresh thinking, driving innovation in approach and opportunity from both private and public roles. Her roles have included sustainability, government policy and regulation, ecosystem growth, and technical leadership. She is an experienced Board member and was the first woman named Environmental Practitioner of the Year by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.
Les Delaforce
Minderoo Foundation
Les is the Head of First Nations Entrepreneurship at Minderoo Foundation and board director of Startup WA. Les has built a career in tech and innovation and is a former venture backed founder, growing a team from Australia, Canada and Israel with clients from ASX listed companies to government. Les has participated in various leadership and exchange programs including the U.S.
State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, MIT REAP, and his work has been recognised in the Westpac 200 Businesses of Tomorrow, as a40Under40 Award winner.
Anne-Marie Elias
Chief Disrupter
Anne-Marie is a leader in the innovation, entrepreneur, start-up and tech ecosystem and a two-time TedX speaker. She preaches the gospel of disrupting the status quo and believes tipping point problems can be solved through social innovation and entrepreneurship. A respected and trusted adviser across government, NGO, industry and academia, Anne-Marie has previously been a senior policy adviser to state and federal government ministers.
Fiona Holmstrom
STEM Punks
Co-Founder and Director of STEM Punks, Fiona Holmstrom, believes STEM Education should be accessible for everyone, and helping children develop skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will prepare them for a future where they can make a difference. STEM Punks’ mission is to “Inspire Tomorrow’s Innovators” and teach children 21st century skills by enabling a mindset of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, especially attracting more girls to STEM career paths.
Catherine Thompson
Hypereal
Catherine advises state and federal governments on the opportunities and challenges of digital and emerging technologies. Her core practice is designing and implementing adaptive and resilient functions and platforms for the digital age. Catherine is Co-Founder at specialist digital consultancy Hypereal.
Arron Wood
Clean Energy Expert
Arron Wood AM is an expert in sustainability, previously serving as the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne. In 2020, he was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant contribution to local government, the environment and the community. Arron is Chief Policy and Impact Officer at the Clean Energy Council, where he has national responsibility for renewable energy advocacy, policy and impact for Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of innovations are we looking for?
The Australian Innovation Competition aims to uncover the ‘best-kept secrets’ created in Australian innovation. Any new idea or solution that creates value for a customer, with the potential to benefit the broader market can enter.
