Fremantle Innovation Exchange
A curated storytelling series designed to elevate.
We’re delighted to share some exciting news for Fremantle! ✨
We have secured funding through the Meshpoints Promotions & Storytelling Challenge, unlocking a new opportunity to showcase and strengthen our local innovation ecosystem.
From 2 July to 30 September 2026, the Fremantle Innovation Exchange (FIE) will bring a series of live storytelling sessions to our city, designed to spotlight WA founders and sector leaders across the blue economy, creative industries and emerging micro-economies.
For the Fremantle community, this means:
- Greater visibility for local businesses and ideas
- New connections between founders, investors and industry
- Fresh energy into our local economy and entrepreneurial scene
- A stronger national profile for Fremantle as a place where ideas grow and thrive
By welcoming interstate voices and capturing stories that travel beyond our region, this initiative will help position Fremantle as a vibrant hub for innovation, creativity and enterprise.
We’re looking forward to launching this and working alongside an inspiring cohort to bring it to life.
This initiative is made possible by Meshpoints, powered by Spacecubed, an initiative designed to build a stronger culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in WA 🚀
EVENT 1 — Blue Economy: Innovation in WA
Date: Tuesday, July 7th 2026
Location: The Fremantle Chamber of Commerce
This opening session will explore the breadth of Western Australia’s blue economy, showcasing founders and industry leaders working across marine technology, ocean sustainability and coastal innovation. Through founder storytelling and moderated discussion, the session will cover how ideas are developed, tested and scaled within WA, highlight emerging opportunities in the sector, and unpack the challenges and enablers unique to operating in this space. Attendees will gain insight into real local innovation journeys, strengthening understanding of the blue economy’s role in WA’s future and building confidence in the state as a place for ocean-based ventures to thrive.
South Metro TAFE Simulator Sessions – RSVP Required
Attendees of the Fremantle Innovation Exchange: Blue Economy - Innovation in WA are invited to RSVP for this exclusive opportunity to view the South Metro TAFE simulators, with a lecturer present on 1 July.
Session times (maximum 8 people per session):
Session 1: 09:00 – 10:00 (max 8 people)
Session 2: 10:30 – 11:30 (max 8 people)
Please RSVP directly to warwick.cantrall@smtafe.wa.edu.au by 26 June.
Keynote Speaker:
Chris de Cuyper (Co-founder & Managing Director, Fremantle Seaweed)
Chris De Cuyper is a Western Australia–based entrepreneur and impact-driven founder, best known for his work in advancing regenerative aquaculture through Fremantle Seaweed. As a leader in the emerging blue economy, Chris is focused on scaling innovative seaweed solutions that reduce methane emissions in agriculture while building sustainable marine industry supply chains in WA.
With a background spanning marine operations, industry collaboration and climate-focused enterprise development, he brings a practical, solutions-oriented perspective to the intersection of food systems, ocean innovation and regional economic growth.
We’re excited to announce Chris as a keynote speaker at our upcoming event, where he will share insights on building scalable climate solutions and the future of the blue economy in Western Australia. Read more about Fremantle Seaweed’s new Fremantle facility here.
Interview Guest:
Andrew Outhwaite (Founder & Director, For Blue)
Andrew Outhwaite is the Founder and Managing Director of For Blue, where he works at the intersection of innovation, investment and the ocean economy to help scale ideas into impactful blue economy ventures.
A long-time champion of WA’s marine and startup ecosystem, Andrew has played a key role in connecting founders, industry and investors to accelerate growth across ocean-focused industries. His work spans venture development, ecosystem building and supporting the next wave of sustainable ocean enterprises.
We’re excited to welcome Andrew for an on-stage interview, where he’ll share insights on building blue economy businesses and turning ocean innovation into real-world impact.
EVENT 2 — Creative Industries: Innovation in Action
Date: Tuesday, August 4th 2026
Location: Walyalup Civic Centre Council Chamber
This session will provide an overview of Western Australia’s creative industries as a driver of innovation, featuring founders and creatives working across design, digital media, arts and cultural enterprise. Speakers will share real stories of building and sustaining creative ventures in WA, including how they commercialise ideas, access markets and navigate growth. The discussion will highlight the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship, explore opportunities for innovation within the sector, and demonstrate how creative industries contribute to a vibrant and diverse innovation ecosystem.
Keynote Speaker:
Sarah Booth (SPACEMRKT)
Sarah Booth is the Director of SPACEMRKT, a social enterprise transforming under-utilised urban spaces into vibrant hubs for creativity, business and community.
A leading voice in urban activation and place-led regeneration in WA, she has built a career focused on unlocking opportunity in vacant spaces and supporting artists, entrepreneurs and local enterprise to thrive in the heart of our cities.
A Churchill Fellow and 2024 Fremantle Citizen of the Year, Sarah is passionate about reimagining how cities work and how they can feel more alive, inclusive and connected.
We’re excited to welcome Sarah as a keynote speaker, where she’ll explore how bold ideas in urban activation are reshaping our cities, unlocking new opportunities for creatives and communities and driving real innovation across the creative industries.
Interview Guests:
Pippa Hurst (DesignFreo)
Pete Stone (City of Fremantle)
Nick Juniper (Freocast)
Tim Meakins (Artist / Designer)
EVENT 3 — Blue Economy: From Idea to Impact
Date: Tuesday, September 1st 2026
Location: Level 1 Reception Room, Walyalup Civic Centre + Tour of Hub on SX
This focused session will dive deeper into a key aspect of the blue economy - scaling innovation from concept to commercial reality. Featuring founders and industry experts, the discussion will explore pathways to market, partnerships, investment readiness and the role of research and collaboration in advancing ocean-based ventures. Attendees will gain practical insights into overcoming barriers, leveraging WA’s unique marine environment, and building sustainable, scalable businesses within the blue economy.
Keynote Speaker:
Susie Kropman(Blue Economy CRC)
Susie Kropman is the Director of Blue Policy and Planning at the Blue Economy CRC, where she helps shape the policies and frameworks driving Australia’s emerging blue economy. With a background spanning marine science, government, and environmental regulation, she has worked across offshore renewables, marine conservation, biosecurity, and ocean industry development.
A former marine scientist and senior policy leader, Susie is known for turning complex science and regulation into practical pathways for sustainable ocean industry growth. She brings a strong focus on collaboration between government, industry, and research to unlock real-world impact.
We’re excited to welcome Susie as a keynote speaker, where she will share insights on how blue economy ideas move from concept to meaningful, scalable impact.
Interview Guests:
James Keane (CEO, Greenroom Robotics)
James Keane is the CEO and Co-Founder of Greenroom Robotics, a Perth-based company developing cutting-edge AI and autonomous systems for maritime operations.
With a background in naval engineering, James has helped scale Greenroom into a globally recognised innovator, delivering real-world autonomy solutions for defence, commercial shipping, and ocean science across Australia and AUKUS partners.
He’s focused on turning advanced robotics into practical, mission-ready capability at sea.
We’re excited to have James join us for an on-stage interview, where he’ll share insights on the future of maritime autonomy and AI at sea.
Joshua Wigley (Founder & CEO, Hyperion Systems)
Joshua Wigley is the Founder and CEO of Hyperion Systems, a Perth-based deep tech company developing deployable, containerised manufacturing systems that bring advanced production capability closer to where it’s needed most.
With a background in engineering, physics and automation, Joshua is building new models for sovereign manufacturing through large-format additive manufacturing and robotics, supporting industries including defence, marine and critical infrastructure.
Recognised as a Young Innovator in Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector, he is focused on reshaping traditional supply chains through fast, flexible and distributed production systems.
We’re excited to welcome Joshua for an on-stage interview, where he’ll share insights on building breakthrough manufacturing capability and scaling deep tech from idea to real-world impact.
EVENT 4 — Creative Industries: Building Sustainable Creative Ventures
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd 2026
Location: Old Customs House
This session will focus on the business of creativity, exploring how founders in the creative industries build resilient and sustainable ventures. Through case studies and discussion, speakers will cover topics such as monetisation models, brand building, digital distribution, and scaling creative work beyond local markets. The session will provide practical lessons and real-world insights to support emerging and established creatives, while reinforcing the value of creative industries within WA’s broader innovation ecosystem.
Keynote Speaker:
Tom Mùller (Fremantle Biennale)
Tom Mùller is a Swiss-born, WA-based artist and Co-Founder & Artistic Director of the Fremantle Biennale, a leading festival transforming Fremantle through bold, site-responsive contemporary art.
His work spans major exhibitions in Australia and internationally, including Carriageworks, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and the Adelaide Biennale, with a practice focused on activating public space and reimagining how art connects people, place, and environment.
Through the Fremantle Biennale, Tom has helped position Fremantle as a hub for immersive, large-scale creative experiences that engage community and landscape in new ways.
We’re excited to welcome Tom as a keynote speaker, where he’ll share insights on building sustainable creative ventures and the future of creative industries.
Interview Guests:
Kavi Guppta (City of Fremantle / Tone List)
Sharyn Egan (Artist)
Duncan Wright (Photographer, Artist, Director)
Mikey Hamer (Director, DoP, Uncle Cupboard)
Peter Grant (Artsource)
Sam Bloor (Artist, Creative Producer PIAZZA Fremantle)
