The WA government is sending 12 startups to the US under a new accelerator program

Twelve Western Australian tech companies are heading to the US as part of a new accelerator program funding by the state government.

Innovation and digital economy minister Stephen Dawson said the Cook Labor government’s Global Growth Accelerator Program (GGAP) kicks off in January with a three-month course to prepare the dozen startups for an international market.

GGAP will be delivered by Invest and Trade WA with support from the Cook Government’s New Industries Fund. It’s the first time an accelerator approach is being piloted to support WA companies to go global.

The companies chosen are: Agili8, BoAB Community Partnerships, Electric Power Conversions Australia, Genvis, Geomoby, Greenroom Robotics, Hyprfire, Materia Health, MTM Critical Metals, VetChip, VROC Australia and Whole.

They’ll be set up with the tools, knowledge, and networks to refine their go-to-market strategies and gain access to customers, investors, and partners in both civilian and defence markets in the United States.

Agili8 was the joint winner of Most Innovative Startup at the recent Startup Daily Best in Tech awards.

The virtual care platform, founded by Esther Oh ,connects frontline and remote workforces with offsite experts and/or AI assistance in real time, integrating extended reality, AI and computer vision into a pair of lightweight smart glasses or smartphone for critical problems such as wound care from a workplace injury, or healthcare.

Perth-based GeoMoby’s focus is location intelligence, with what it calls Real-Time, Location-based Communication System (RTLCS), using Bluetooth Long Range to keep underground mine workers safer and improve operational efficiencies.

Founder and CEO Chris Baudia said they were thrilled to be selected for the accelerator.

“This initiative not only recognises the potential of our cutting-edge location intelligence and safety solutions for the mining industry but also reinforces our commitment to driving innovation on a global scale,” he said.

Minister Stephen Dawson said the government is keen to showcase the local tech sector to a global audience.

“We know our local sector has much to offer and much to gain from an international platform and, through our new GGAP, we are supporting key players in the industry to enter the United States market,” he said.

“This program is a new approach for our Government and is just another way we are supporting our burgeoning local sector to grow and further diversify our economy.

“This is an exciting time for the critical technology sector who produce world-class products and solutions that cross multiple industries, and it is important that we support these businesses to achieve local, national, and global success.”

The program will climax with the startups being part of South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025 in Austin, Texas, offering them the chance to showcase their solutions at America’s biggest tech festival.