NSW Defence and Aerospace Hub

Helping NSW defence and aerospace ventures grow into global companies

The NSW Defence and Aerospace Hub is designed to assist NSW deep tech companies connect with new customers, attract investment and bring their innovations to market.

The hub provides NSW’s legion of world-class researchers, manufacturers and innovative businesses with the specialist support and programs required to navigate these markets and scale successfully.

Impact of the NSW Space and Aerospace Hub
135 Businesses supported
$82M+ Private capital raised
$15.5M Awarded in grants
190 Jobs created
$200M Revenue raised

Specialist support for every stage

Delivered by Cicada Innovations, the NSW Defence and Aerospace Hub provides founders with specialised coaching, industry connections, investor networks and tailored commercialisation support to help accelerate growth and access new market opportunities.

Many companies incubated at the Hub are developing technologies with applications across robotics, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies that span both the defence and aerospace markets and adjacent deep tech industries.

NSW Defence and Aerospace Hub Programs
Space Foundations

A free, self-paced online course that offers foundational knowledge, case studies, and skills for commercialising space innovations and technologies utilising space tech. 

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Defence, Aerospace & Dual-use Elevate Helping founders validate their markets, refine their value proposition, and enhance their pitching skills with a focus on space, aerospace, and defence applications.

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Customer Discovery A four-week interactive program to help deep tech innovators understand and validate defence market needs, and position your technology for dual-use applications.

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Defence Aerospace & Dual-use Stride A six-month coaching program designed to help deep tech startups set and achieve critical growth milestones specific to the space aerospace, and defence sectors.
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Residents & Alumni

Meet The Team & Mentors

The dedicated NSW Defence and Aerospace Hub team holds significant experience across commercialisation, space, aerospace, defence, and related industries.

Together, they provide practical guidance, strategic advice, and valuable connections to help innovators navigate complex markets, accelerate growth, and turn breakthrough ideas into impactful solutions.

Alex Shapilsky

Venture Growth Executive

Tim Parsons

Expert in Residence – Space & Aerospace

Nameeta Bhole

Expert in Residence

Scott Russell

Expert in Residence – Defence & National Security

Jun Qu

Main Sequence Ventures

Ian Davis

Epona's Dream

Michal Weiss

Weiss Lab Consulting

Paul Schlusser

EdgeGroup

Get in touch

If you are a:

  • NSW-based defence and/or aerospace founder

  • Deep tech startup in an adjacent sector

  • Research team or pre-idea technical team

  • Industry expert

And are interested in residency, programs or partnering with technical experts to bring innovative solutions to market, contact us today.

The NSW Defence and Aerospace Hub is proudly supported by the NSW Government.

Our programs

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Become a resident

Get in touch with our team

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