What's On

Reach your potential with Elevate. You’ve got the idea, run the experiments, maybe even built a prototype. Now it’s time to validate the market, shape your business model, and build momentum. Cicada’s Elevate programs are intensive workshops for deep tech founders ready to move beyond the lab. Over a short time and in a fast-paced environment, you’ll pressure-test your thinking with experts, refine your value proposition, and build a strategy for commercialisation. You’ll walk away with investor connections and a clear path to real-world traction.

Join innovators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and visionaries at Innovate Western Sydney 2025, a showcase of the region’s thriving innovation ecosystem. Whether you’re a startup founder, researcher, business leader, student, or investor, Innovate Western Sydney 2025 is your chance to connect, collaborate, and be inspired. Discover the latest trends, explore new pathways for collaboration, and grow your network within a community committed to innovation and growth. Networking Cocktails hosted by Cicada Innovations: Continue the conversations and build valuable connections in a relaxed setting.

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.

The program will introduce Nucleate Australia and Cicada Innovations' missions in kickstarting startups, successful entrepreneurship and specialised support. You will then hear from four expert speakers as they share their perspectives on customer discovery. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop, where they can take their own ideas through guided customer discovery activities.

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 course is delivered in partnership with Mark Flynn (Global Edge Medtech Consulting) who holds 14 patent families, has commercialised 30+ medical devices and raised $50M+ in grant funding.
Participants will walk away with crucial knowledge of their sector, connections to industry experts, and gain feedback from mentors on their product and business. 

Course Dates: 3 - 5 March 2026
Applications close: 13 Feb 2026

This course is delivered in partnership with ANDHealth, Australia's National Digital Health Initiative.

Participants will walk away with crucial knowledge of their sector, connections to industry experts, and gain feedback from mentors on their product and business. 

Dates: 17-19 March 2026
Applications close: 27 Feb 2026

This course is delivered in partnership with Australia's peak industry body representing manufacturers and importers of diagnostics, Pathology Technology Australia.
Participants will walk away with crucial knowledge of their sector, connections to industry experts, and gain feedback from mentors on their product and business.

Dates: 21 -23 April 2026
Applications Close: 3 April 2026 

This course is delivered in partnership with the Sydney Pharmacy School, one of the leading centres for pharmacy education in Australia, with an international reputation for research and innovation.
This 3 day course will dig deep into therapeutics and pharmaceuticals, covering distinct challenges and opportunities in this specialisation and ensure that you are aware of the important nuances.

Dates: 5 - 7 May 2026
Applications close: 17th April 2026

Stride 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.

Stride 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 Stride program is tailored to precisely what you are your team are seeking to achieve.

Stride is a 6-month intensive program tailored for ambitious space, aerospace, and defence dual-use ventures so they can supercharge their commercialisation journey.

Stride 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.