Deep dive into deep tech

Get the latest news, thinking and insights from the Cicada and our community. You’ll find long-form blog posts, reports on deep tech in Australia, and topical webinars to dive into.

Cicada Innovations to launch new health-focused hub in Westmead Health Precinct

Cicada Innovations is expanding with the opening of a health-focused incubator at one of Australia’s largest health and biomedical research precincts, the Westmead Health and Innovation District, supported by a grant from Investment NSW.


Read the announcement

Two deep tech pioneers


Since 2009, the annual Tech23 festival has called together the deep tech ecosystem to celebrate pioneering Australia science.

This year, Tech23 joins the Cicada family, united by our shared mission to celebrate and amplify radical innovators.

Read the full story

Latest news & insights

A Year in Review of the NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program

June 12th, 2024
We are celebrating a remarkable cohort of participants who are helping to create a better health system for people in NSW, Australia and globally. It is a privilege to work alongside hundreds of these innovators who have shown a deep commitment to driving their groundbreaking innovations from an idea to becoming a reality.
Read more

How does the Federal Budget affect deep tech innovation, and how does this impact my business?

May 16th, 2024
What this year's Federal Budget means for individuals, startups and deep tech innovation. "This requires aligning the nation on a bold and visionary future through policy levers focussed on long-term, transformational opportunities while also galvanising short-term action to address our current circumstances", commented Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams.
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How Ocean Intelligence slashes emissions equivalent to a Sydney to London flight with their technology

June 3rd, 2024
Get to know Shane Keating, Founder of Ocean Intelligence and participant in Cicada's Space Fast Start Program. Shane is also an Associate Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of New South Wales. His research uses powerful mathematical tools to better understand the ocean and our planet.
Read more

Cicada Spotlight: John Ridley from Converte

May 14th, 2024
John is an Environmental Scientist with more than 30 years of experience in environmental management across three continents. He brings a wealth of knowledge to The Grains Challenge Program, specialising in biological systems, sustainable resource management and managing carbon. John leverages his extensive background as part of the Elevate program, offering valuable insights to scientists and engineers, that help them unlock the potential of their technologies within the agricultural industry.
Find Out More

Cicada Spotlight: Rob Hulme from The Boralis Group

Rob brings a wealth of experience to the table. As CEO of The Boralis Group, he's spent the last 30 years working in global agribusiness, specialising in driving sustainability, circular food systems and helping businesses scale their production. Rob also has experience spotting promising Climate Tech startups as a Venture Partner at Investible, giving him valuable insight into VC expectations.
Read more

Cicada Spotlight: Clyde Webster from Crest Robotics

April 11th, 2024
Get to know Cicada resident and graduate from the National Space Industry Hub Space Elevate and Fast Start Program, Clyde Webster, founder and CEO of Crest Robotics.
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Cicada Innovations to operate new biotech incubator

CSL, WEHI and The University of Melbourne jointly announce the appointment of Cicada Innovations as the independent operator of the new biotech incubator...

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CEO Update

Read Sally-Ann Williams key highlights of the month in the deep tech ecosystem.

Read our CEO Updates

Australia’s Deep Tech Opportunity Report

This report is a key piece of research into how critical deep tech is in addressing our biggest challenges, and how it is already creating value for Australia in a multitude of ways. It documents how deep tech incubators serve the unique needs of deep tech startups, and sets out a vision for Australia to realise its deep tech potential. 

Download the full report

Cicada Blog

A Year in Review of the NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program

June 12th, 2024
We are celebrating a remarkable cohort of participants who are helping to create a better health system for people in NSW, Australia and globally. It is a privilege to work alongside hundreds of these innovators who have shown a deep commitment to driving their groundbreaking innovations from an idea to becoming a reality.
Read more

How does the Federal Budget affect deep tech innovation, and how does this impact my business?

May 16th, 2024
What this year's Federal Budget means for individuals, startups and deep tech innovation. "This requires aligning the nation on a bold and visionary future through policy levers focussed on long-term, transformational opportunities while also galvanising short-term action to address our current circumstances", commented Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams.
Read more

How Ocean Intelligence slashes emissions equivalent to a Sydney to London flight with their technology

June 3rd, 2024
Get to know Shane Keating, Founder of Ocean Intelligence and participant in Cicada's Space Fast Start Program. Shane is also an Associate Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of New South Wales. His research uses powerful mathematical tools to better understand the ocean and our planet.
Read more

Cicada Spotlight: John Ridley from Converte

May 14th, 2024
John is an Environmental Scientist with more than 30 years of experience in environmental management across three continents. He brings a wealth of knowledge to The Grains Challenge Program, specialising in biological systems, sustainable resource management and managing carbon. John leverages his extensive background as part of the Elevate program, offering valuable insights to scientists and engineers, that help them unlock the potential of their technologies within the agricultural industry.
Find Out More

Cicada Spotlight: Clyde Webster from Crest Robotics

April 11th, 2024
Get to know Cicada resident and graduate from the National Space Industry Hub Space Elevate and Fast Start Program, Clyde Webster, founder and CEO of Crest Robotics.
Find Out More

Deep Tech Origin Stories: Raj Bagri from Kapture

Welcome to Deep Tech Origin Stories. In this series of articles, we uncover the backstory of some of the most remarkable deep tech start-up founders from around Australia. This series celebrates the breadth, depth and diversity of Australian deep tech founders, and challenges the stereotypes of who gets to build a game changing global business.
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Space Fast Strat 2023 - Recognising this year's Graduates

In line with our ongoing commitment to foster innovation and propel emerging space technology companies forward, we proudly acknowledge the achievements of this year's Space Fast Start program graduates.
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Cicada Spotlight: Rob Hulme from The Boralis Group

Rob brings a wealth of experience to the table. As CEO of The Boralis Group, he's spent the last 30 years working in global agribusiness, specialising in driving sustainability, circular food systems and helping businesses scale their production. Rob also has experience spotting promising Climate Tech startups as a Venture Partner at Investible, giving him valuable insight into VC expectations.
Read more

Exploring the Vast Landscape of Smart Sensing: From IoT to Quantum Sensors and beyond

September 1st, 2023
In this article, written for the NSW Smart Sensing Network’s The Sensor newsletter, Cicada’s Hebbat Manhy shares her thoughts on the evolving world of smart sensing.
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Cicada Spotlight: Alexander Ryan, VXB Aerospace

August 4th, 2023
Get to know Cicada resident and graduate from the National Space Industry Hub Fast Start Program 2023, Alexander Ryan founder and CEO of VXB Aerospace. VXB is producing leading-edge electric propulsion systems using novel AI powered inverse design methods, state-of-the art simulation, and in-house manufacturing.
Read the full spotlight

Cicada Spotlight: Will Jeremijenko

April 20th, 2023
Will Jeremijenko is paving the way for the future of wireless energy-transmission with his company Aquila Earth. This week, we sat down with Will to learn more about his journey as a CEO in the space industry and his work and plans for Aquila Earth going forward.
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Celebrating 1 year of success of the National Space Industry Hub

March 8th, 2023
In May 2023, National Space Industry Hub turned one! Like any proud parent, we threw a party, invited 170 of our friends, and glowed with pride over the progress that has been made by our community and the sector over the past 12 months. Read the full blog for a recap of a fantastic night of collaboration, reflections and insights.
Read the full recap

23 is our magic number

January 24th, 2023
This year, the stars are aligning. It's Cicada Innovations 23rd birthday. It's the year 2023. And we've just announced our custodianship of the long-running event Tech23. 23 is our magic number.
Read the full blog

Cicada Spotlight: Dav Sangar

CancerAid is empowering people and organisations impacted by cancer through it's first-to-market, empathy-first support programs. This month, we had the opportunity to chat with their Head of Clinical Product, Dr Dav Sangar and deep dived into her insights on CancerAid's mission, her career transition from traditional medicine to digital health, and her experience across the UK, US, and Australian healthcare ecosystems.
Read the full spotlight

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