What's On

To celebrate 25 years of Cicada Innovations we're hosting an intimate fireside chat featuring Niki Scevak, one of Australia’s most influential voices in venture capital. Niki’s story is deeply interwoven with the evolution of Australia’s startup landscape. It’s a little-known fact that he launched Startmate from Cicada (then known as ATP Innovations). Since then, he’s gone on to co-found Blackbird Ventures, backing a new generation of ambitious founders and helping shape a world-class investment ecosystem across Australia and New Zealand. Hosted by Cicada CEO Sally-Ann Williams, this event will explore Niki’s journey, the rise of founder-first investment in our region, and what lies ahead for deep tech and early-stage innovation.

Scaling a deep tech startup comes with unique challenges—long R&D cycles, capital-intensive development, and complex commercialisation pathways. CSIRO offers a suite of programs and services to help founders navigate this journey

What if your idea could shape the future of food, farming, or the planet? We’re looking for researchers, innovators, and early-stage founders in NSW who are working on cutting-edge solutions - from seed treatments and soil health to sensing tech and supply chain tools. This agtech focused Elevate is a hands-on, expert-led program that will give you the commercial tools, industry insights, and connections you need to turn your idea into a real business opportunity.

Fast Start is a 6-month bespoke coaching program where you set the goals and we help you to get there. With a coach and mentors by your side and a desk at Cicada HQ, you will have dedicated time and support to work towards those important next milestones.

Grains Fast Start is a 6-month coaching program where you set the goals and we help you to get there. We help you to adapt your deep technology to solve challenges in agriculture and the grains industry. Our expert-in-residence will guide and coach you on the agriculture value chain and how to translate and integrate your technology for commercial adoption.

Every team's pathway and goals are different, so the Fast Start program is tailored to precisely what you are your team are seeking to achieve.

The NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program, run by Cicada Innovations, has been designed by industry experts to help you maximise the impact of your health innovation and successfully commercialise your technology. ​ This online info session will focus on: The different programs on offer, Who the workshops are for & prerequisites, How to apply, and an overview of the content that you will learn. Alex Vellere, Program Manager - Health, will be open to answer all your burning possible questions.

Fast Start is a 6-month bespoke commercialisation coaching program for high potential heath tech teams and startups. With the help of a dedicated expert and supported by industry mentors, you refine your strategy, set goals and we help you to get there faster.

Fast Start is a 6-month intensive program tailored for ambitious space ventures so they can supercharge their commercialisation journey.

An exciting opportunity for clinicians, researchers, and health tech founders to gain invaluable insights and personalised advice from a distinguished panel of Mentors, Investors, and Funders.

This 2 day hands-on workshop will guide you through the heath tech commercialisation process step-by-step so you walk away with a clear commercial strategy.