The McGowan Government will invest in an eco-tourism business incubator in the Mid-West as the first recipient of funding through the McGowan Government's $4.5 million Regional New Industries Fund.
Geraldton-based innovation hub Pollinators will use the $120,000 grant alongside leveraged funding to incubate eco-tourism business opportunities to promote the Mid-West as an internationally recognised tourism destination.
Pollinators will work with tourism start-ups, existing businesses and industry partners to scale up and develop new products, experiences and promotional tools that seize global and experiential tourism market opportunities.
The initiative is part of the McGowan Government's commitment to support and accelerate new and emerging businesses in an effort to create Western Australian jobs through innovation.
Further successful recipients through the Regional New Industries Fund and a new round of funding will be announced in coming months.
"This project takes the Mid West's natural advantages in eco-tourism – its stunning coastal attractions and ease of access for tourists – to create new job opportunities for entrepreneurs and local businesses in the Mid West.
"Pollinators are an established social enterprise that has demonstrated how innovation hubs nurture entrepreneurs and support business innovation, which leads to greater business opportunities, jobs and resilience in regional communities.
"The Regional New Industries Fund is delivering on the McGowan Government's commitment to generate jobs and growth by supporting new business ventures, accelerating small-medium enterprise growth and seed innovation.
"The fund provides a great opportunity for regional start-ups and small to medium enterprises to develop and grow their businesses, create WA jobs and expand their market opportunities here and abroad.
"I encourage entrepreneurs, industry bodies other innovation hubs to investigate how the Regional New Industries Fund can assist their growth and take their ideas and endeavours to the next level."