With growing demand for innovation and the rapid delivery of advanced capabilities to support Australia's Department of Defence, the need to foster new ideas, technologies, and forward-thinking solutions has never been more critical.
The IODS 2026 Innovation Pitchfest and Awards responds to this national defence priority—bringing together Australian innovators from across industry, research and academia, and showcasing the next generation of defence-focused solutions.
Award finalists pitch their ideas live at the Indian Ocean Defence & Security 2026 Conference and Exhibition in Perth, presenting to a global audience of defence professionals, industry leaders, investors and procurement decision-makers. Winners will be announced on site, with the awards designed to support the next stage of development—whether through personal growth, further education, or scaling innovation.
The IODS 2026 Innovation Pitchfest and Awards is more than a competition—it's a national platform for bold thinking, disruptive capability, and the future of Australian defence innovation.
Entries open soon. Subscribe to our mailing list for the latest news.
The IODS 2024 winners:
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC)