OCSE Assemble

OCSE Assemble is a 10-week, face to face and online program that supports early-stage and aspiring founders who are ready to build - moving beyond validating the science or technology and towards a defensible, scalable commercial venture.

Delivered with the support of the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE), Cicada Assemble is a fully-funded program for science and engineering founders who have proven the science, moved beyond early ideation, validated the opportunity, identified a market need, and are ready to build the venture.

Over 10 weeks, guided by Cicada's 25 years experience scaling deep tech businesses, you'll assemble the commercial foundations, founder capability, evidence, and ecosystem relationships needed to move from invention to traction.

This program is open to applicants who are:

- Based Australia (ideally NSW)

- Aspiring or early-stage founders solving hard industrial, environmental, or societal problems with novel technology and defensible IP, in any of the following fields:

- Advanced Manufacturing, Defence & Space

- Climate Tech, Clean Energy & Materials

- AgTech & Food Security

- Robotics, Quantum, Sensors & Data-Enabling Hardware

- While this program is both face to face and online, applicants should be able to attend core sessions and check-ins (there is flexibility on attendance, please reach out to our team if you have any questions or concerns around being able to physically attend sessions)

- If you are building software or AI solutions, they should be applied to solving complex, real-world industrial or physical challenges

- This program is not currently suited to biotech founders addressing human health; however, we encourage you to contact our team for available programs for your sector

What is the Assemble experience like?

Assemble is an in-person and virtual program that spans 10 weeks. You can expect:

  • A self-paced online Foundations pre-work course and in-person orientation session 

  • A two-day in-person Venture Bootcamp: Connect with industry experts and other founders, stress-test their value proposition, engage with industry through customer discovery, and articulate what they want to achieve through the Assemble experience.

  • Selected ventures (up to 20) will move into the Assemble Cohort and experience six workshops (online and face-to-face) covering: Deep dive into MVPs, international markets, funding, GTM strategy, and communicating your innovation to investors and partners.

  • Regular online check-ins: Progress tracking, problem-solving and curated introductions, maintaining momentum and accountability

  • Upon completion, a Pitch Day, and up to 12 months of in-kind follow-on support

In addition, you will receive access to:

  • A network of mentors, comprising leading industry experts, investors and successful entrepreneurs

  • Cicada’s broader deep tech community and introductions to Cicada’s network

  • Curated events, resources, and a vast platform of online resources and tools that you can complete at your own pace

What will Assemble help me achieve?

Upon completion of the program you can expect to have built a credible pathway to investment, leaving with:

  • Validated Product Plan: Problem–solution fit stress-tested by experts, with defined MVP scope, technical roadmap, and manufacturing requirements.

  • Complete Commercial Strategy: Go-to-market strategy with partner mapping, venture roadmap spanning technology to traction, and coordinated funding approach.

  • Communication Assets & Operational Literacy: Compelling narrative and pitch deck, plus understanding of IP, regulatory, supply chain and compliance across deep tech.

Built for the moment your science is proven and the venture is still to come

No two deep tech ventures are built the same way. Assemble helps you put the right blocks in place for yours, and pairs you with respected industry leaders, technical experts, and investors who provide guidance and strategic advice as you create traction.

About OCSE

The OCSE supports R&D investment, research translation and industry growth to help create economic, social, and environmental benefits for NSW.

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About Cicada Innovations

Cicada Innovations is Australia's leading deep tech incubator. With over 25 years developing ventures focused on the world’s most pressing problems and promising opportunities, Cicada provides the incubators, training and community designed to meet the unique needs of deep tech startups.

Our mission is to advance scientific discovery and help founders build impactful deep tech businesses that shape a better future both in Australia and beyond. 

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