Western Australia will next month welcome some of the business world’s brightest minds, as thousands of delegates descend on venues across Perth for Australia’s longest running technology and innovation festival, West Tech Fest.
Hosted by Curtin University and now in its 14th year, West Tech Fest is a week of inspiration, connection and impact which attracts global industry leaders from diverse fields such as technology, sustainability, investment and workplace innovation.
Among this year’s speakers is Lars Rasmussen, who co-founded the mapping platform which led to Google Maps and the emerging youth led festival, Panathenea.
Lars is also a prolific investor in emerging startups across the globe, including West Australian startups.
West Tech Fest attendees can hear firsthand insights from Mr Rasmussen’s journey launching a product used by billions of people, including early-stage investing and how to build globally impactful platforms.
Other speakers include trailblazers such as “work futurist” Dominic Price who spent 12 years helping Atlassian scale, plus proud Wiradjuri woman Nicole Forrester, who has played a major role in showing how organisations can better engage with Indigenous knowledge, community and sustainability.
Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the event continued to attract the best and brightest to WA.
“Not only does West Tech Fest bring in national attention but it has significant attendance from those around the world, allowing our local innovators invaluable facetime and networking opportunities,” Mr Dawson said.
“West Tech Fest offers a unique innovation experience where attendees can hear from inspiring founders, investors and corporates all the while enjoying what Perth, Fremantle and Rottnest have to offer.”
West Tech Fest 2025 will take place across Perth throughout the week, featuring several satellite events and a diverse, inclusive program focused on supporting upcoming talent:
- West Tech Women – Monday 8 December, Pan Pacific Hotel, Perth
- First Nations House Summit – Monday 8 December, The Kingsman, Perth
- West Tech Main – Tuesday 9 December, Perth Convention Exhibition Centre (PCEC), Perth
- City of Perth Innovation Showcase and Young Entrepreneurs – Tuesday 9 December, PCEC, Perth
- Corporate Innovation Summit by The Bakery – Wednesday 10 December, Australian Institute of Management, Floreat
- Freo Startup Fest by Upstart Investments – Wednesday 10 December, Freo Social, Fremantle
- West Tech Wadjemup – Thursday 11 December, Pinky’s, Wadjemup/Rottnest Island
Festival cofounder and Executive Director at Curtin, Rohan McDougall said the event gave local founders, scale-ups, corporates and researchers direct access to international perspectives and investment possibilities.
“West Tech Fest supports Western Australia’s ambition to diversify its economy, attract global capital and showcase the State’s innovation capability,” Mr McDougall said.
“As the host and organising partner, Curtin University is committed to creating meaningful ties between industry and academia, ensuring our region’s startups, industry partners and research community have an unprecedented opportunity to connect, learn and accelerate the impact of their work.”
For the full list of speakers events and to buy tickets, please visit the West Tech Fest website.
