The Minns Labor Government is investing in the future of the NSW economy by backing a new wave of innovation activity that will drive jobs, attract investment and strengthen the state\u2019s global competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A total of 19 organisations will be supported through the latest round of the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program; part of the Government\u2019s push to drive innovation in NSW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A total of $400,000 will support events and initiatives that bring together startups, researchers, investors and industry, helping turn ideas into commercial opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From innovation festivals and climate tech awards to health innovation exchanges and AI-focused programs, the funded initiatives align directly with the Government\u2019s priorities to modernise the economy and support industries critical to the state\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sponsored events, taking place across metropolitan and regional NSW, help connect founders with the networks, capital and expertise they need to grow, with a strong focus on regional participation, inclusion and high-growth sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This latest round supports initiatives aligned with the NSW Government\u2019s Innovation Blueprint<\/em><\/a> and Industry Policy<\/em><\/a>, including priorities across housing, net zero and the energy transformation, and local manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By strengthening the innovation ecosystem, the Minns Labor Government is helping to diversify the economy, drive productivity and ensure NSW remains the best place in Australia to start, grow and scale a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information on the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program, visit www.nsw.gov.au\/business-and-economy\/innovation\/grants-and-programs\/fostering-innovation-sponsorship-program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Hunter is an innovation powerhouse and this investment puts our money where our mouth is to support the people, ideas and businesses driving our region\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is the Minns Government backing local ideas, jobs and industry to ensure our region \u2013 and the people who power it \u2013 continues to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy investing in the next big idea today, we\u2019re ensuring the Hunter remains at the forefront of innovation, industry and growth for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Minns Labor Government understands that investing in innovation is investing in jobs, productivity and the long-term strength of our economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur Innovation Blueprint and Industry Policy are driving that work, backing the industries and technologies that will power growth in NSW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t about an announcement, it\u2019s about delivery. Through practical initiatives, we\u2019re supporting the people turning ideas into real businesses and connecting them with the capital and expertise they need to scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd we\u2019re making sure those opportunities are shared right across NSW, so more communities can benefit from growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy aligning this investment with our priorities in clean energy, housing and local manufacturing, we\u2019re building a stronger, more resilient economy and positioning NSW for the future under the Minns Labor Government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWomen bring different perspectives and approaches to the table. So it\u2019s fantastic to see initiatives that back women\u2019s innovation receiving funding under this program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis investment is part of the wider work we\u2019re doing to boost women\u2019s participation and advancement. By supporting a more inclusive and diverse innovation sector, we\u2019re creating a stronger economy with advancements that benefit everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Western Sydney Women Founding Director Amanda Rose said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWestern Sydney is one of the most diverse and fast-growing regions in the country, but too often women are underrepresented in the industries shaping our future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c Women Leading AI<\/em>, is about changing that – connecting women with the skills, networks and confidence to lead in AI and emerging technologies. Our event will bring together around 120 female founders, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and students, with a strong focus on culturally and linguistically diverse and underrepresented communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are grateful for the support of the NSW Government in growing a more inclusive innovation ecosystem that reflects the talent and potential of our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hunter iF CEO Zara Crichton said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re shifting the conversation in the Hunter from \u2018what if\u2019 to \u2018yes, and\u2019 – building on the region\u2019s industrial strengths to unlock new opportunities in emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThrough our festival and regional roadshow, we\u2019ll connect people, ideas and capital to turn ambition into real outcomes. The NSW Government\u2019s continued support is helping us scale that momentum across the region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n EnergyLab Director and CEO Megan Fisher said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are incredibly grateful for the support through the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program, which allows us to launch the Climate Investment and Growth Series in Sydney at a defining moment for our ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs EnergyLab enters its tenth year, this series will bring vital attention to breakthrough startups while actively addressing the gender funding gap by empowering more women investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy connecting our brightest founders with critical capital, industry and expertise, we are ensuring that Australia\u2019s best ideas have the backing they need to scale and accelerate global decarbonisation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program \u2013 Round 4 Recipients<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Minns Labor Government is investing in the future of the NSW economy by backing a new wave of innovation activity that will drive jobs, attract investment and strengthen the state\u2019s global competitiveness. A total of 19 organisations will be supported through the latest round of the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program; part of the Government\u2019s … Continue reading “Minns Government backs innovation to grow jobs and strengthen NSW economy”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nswnews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39762"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39763,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39762\/revisions\/39763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Organisation<\/strong><\/td> Activity title<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Australian Computer Society (ACS)<\/td> NSW Regional Roadshow<\/td><\/tr> Barayamal<\/td> First Nations Economic Forum<\/td><\/tr> Business Western Sydney<\/td> Westmead Health & Innovation District Conference 2026<\/td><\/tr> Cicada Innovations<\/td> Cicada x Tech23<\/td><\/tr> Climate Salad<\/td> 2026 Climate Tech Awards<\/td><\/tr> EnergyLab<\/td> EnergyLab Climate Investment Growth Series<\/td><\/tr> Go Remote<\/td> Invest Rural<\/td><\/tr> Greenhouse<\/td> Climate Innovation and Investment Summit<\/td><\/tr> Hunter iF<\/td> 2026 Hunter Innovation Festival & Regional Roadshow<\/td><\/tr> iAccelerate \u2013 University of Wollongong<\/td> Illawarra Pitch Showcase<\/td><\/tr> Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research<\/td> Health Beyond Research and Innovation Showcase 2026<\/td><\/tr> Proto Axiom<\/td> NSW Women\u2019s Health Innovation Exchange 2026<\/td><\/tr> Scale Investors<\/td> Equity Clear – Capital Pathways<\/td><\/tr> The University of Sydney<\/td> Sydney Biomedical Community of Practice<\/td><\/tr> Western Sydney Women<\/td> Women Leading AI: Connecting, Scaling & Growing in Western Sydney<\/td><\/tr> University of Newcastle<\/td> Regional Health Innovation Series<\/td><\/tr> UNSW Founders<\/td> Pitch Night South West and Digital Makers \u2013 South West Sydney<\/td><\/tr> Western Sydney Tech Innovators<\/td> WSTI Festi \u2013 Western Sydney AI Founders Festival<\/td><\/tr> Western Sydney University<\/td> Innovate Western Sydney<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"