What's On

Join us online on Wednesday, 18 March for a candid look at the grit, determination, and persistence it takes to build a deep tech venture in Australia today. For 25 years, Cicada Innovations has been the home for deep tech, and Tech23 has been the launchpad for Australia’s most ambitious companies - But deep tech is never built in easy conditions. Right now, the pressure is unmistakable. Tech23: Search the Nation is a call to the founders who are still building with intent and at scale, despite the headwinds. We are looking for those aiming to create companies that endure - even when support wavers and the odds are steep. This webinar is your gateway to the 2026 cohort. Hear from visionary alumni founders on what it really takes to transition from lab-scale breakthroughs to global impact, and learn how you can stand on deep tech’s biggest stage this September.

Cicada x Tech23 is more than a showcase. It is a signal. Each year, Tech23 champions 23 exceptional deep tech startups and connects them with the investors, industry leaders and decision-makers who can help turn deep technical breakthroughs into real-world impact.

An International Women’s Day Exhibition & Community Celebration In honour of International Women’s Day, Cicada Innovations and Hertha’s Workshop present TakingUpSpace — a portrait gallery making visible the women already shaping Sydney’s deep tech ecosystem. By filling a room with faces and stories, this installation creates a tangible sense of belonging. It’s proof that you’re not alone — that women are here, building, leading and shaping the future of science and technology. But this isn’t only about recognition. It’s about inspiration. For students, career-changers, operators, researchers, founders, investors — anyone curious about deep tech — this gallery makes possibility visible. The more portraits we share, the stronger the message: this space is diverse. This space is welcoming. There is room for you.

The evening will kick off with state of the industry keynote talks from BioNSW's David Atkins, and our headline speaker, Ian Oppermann. Our engaging panel discussion will gather insights from experts working in different facets of the digital healthtech ecosystem on how innovations get stuck at the partnering stage, particularly with healthcare delivery systems and what founders can do to better their odds of succeeding in connecting with healthcare system clients.

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.

In the world of medical research, the path from a breakthrough discovery to a clinical reality is rarely a straight line. While a patent is a significant milestone, it is only one piece of the puzzle. To truly drive impact, researchers and entrepreneurs must understand how intellectual property (IP) determines market access, partnership opportunities, and the long-term viability of their innovations. This masterclass, hosted at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI), is designed to give clinicians, researchers, and founders the "due diligence" toolkit needed to work effectively with tech transfer offices and commercial partners.

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 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

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

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.