Why the Game Changer Academy matters – and why sponsors should get involved

The Game Changer Awards is celebrating a decade of fostering Western Australian students' love for STEM. We're taking our investment in future talent to the next level by launching the Game Changer Academy with Bloom - will you join us as a sponsor?

As the Game Changer Awards marks 10 years of celebrating Western Australian students’ passion for STEM, the program is set to expand its impact with the launch of the Game Changer Academy.

Kristen Britz from Containers for Change (WARRRL) - a Platinum Sponsor of the 2024 Game Changer Awards - hands out an award at the ceremony.

The Academy is a new initiative designed to accelerate young talent beyond the classroom. In partnership with youth innovation hub Bloom, the Academy’s flagship program, the Young Entrepreneur Sprint, will offer a week-long bootcamp that gives student teams the tools, knowledge and mentorship to turn their award-winning ideas into viable ventures.

“The Young Entrepreneur Sprint is a launching pad for the next generation of innovators - students who are bold enough to tackle real-world problems and hungry to turn ideas into action,” said Premila Jina, WAITTA Vice President and Chair of the Game Changer Awards program.

Building on the creative momentum of the Awards, the Sprint will be hosted at St Catherine’s College and the Bloom Lab at the University of Western Australia, immersing students in a startup-style experience.

Over five days, participants will engage in intensive workshops on customer discovery, market validation, MVP development, and pitching - culminating in a showcase presentation to industry leaders.

According to Jina, the Sprint was created to address the growing need for practical innovation pathways for young people.

“Many programs inspire ideas, but few support students in turning those ideas into something real. This is about equipping them with the mindset, tools and networks to move from concept to impact," Premila said.

Why sponsor the Game Changer Academy?

For sponsors, the new Academy presents a unique opportunity to contribute to WA’s innovation pipeline. Involvement offers:

Early access to emerging talent with entrepreneurial drive
Brand positioning as a champion of innovation and future-focused education
Opportunities for your staff to engage as mentors, coaches or judges
Visibility and impact within a fast-growing network of STEM educators, students and industry leaders

“The Game Changer Academy allows sponsors to go beyond support - they become active participants in shaping WA’s future innovators."

With students already developing solutions for pressing issues such as climate change, mental health and accessibility, the Young Entrepreneur Sprint is designed to build momentum and keep student-led innovation moving forward long after the Awards are over.

The Sprint also marks the beginning of a broader strategy to extend the Game Changer Awards from a once-a-year celebration into a year-round development program.

How you can get involved as a sponsor

Sponsorship opportunities are now open, with the first Sprint scheduled to launch shortly after the 2025 Game Changer Awards ceremony.

Organisations interested in supporting the Academy are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the Game Changer Awards team for further info.

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