Elevate

Turn Your Breakthrough Into a Business

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.

What Sets Elevate Apart

  • Move fast. Focused, hands-on progress in just one quick sprint

  • Meet the right people. Connect with investors, experts, and peers

  • Built for deep tech. Practical tools tailored to science-based ventures

  • Join a real community. Work alongside ambitious innovators just like you

You don’t need a company, ABN, or finished product, just a compelling deep tech idea and the drive to take it further.

Who is it for?

Elevate is designed for people who are:

+ Founders, researchers, or early-stage teams

+ Working on a science or engineering-led technologies

+ Exploring commercialisation for the first time or looking to build a stronger strategy

+ Seeking honest feedback, practical tools, and expert support

+ Innovating in sectors like health, climate, agriculture, space, and more...

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in Elevate, you must:

+ Be based in Australia (some programs may accept allied-country applicants)

+ Be working on a deep tech solution grounded in scientific or engineering innovation

+ Be available to attend all core sessions (in person or online where available)

For full eligibility details, check the program page or get in touch with our team.

Apply for Elevate
How it works

Find the right fit

Choose a program that matches your sector and stage

Apply online

Tell us about your idea and where you're at

Assessment

We review your application and invite successful applicants to join

Get ready

Complete onboarding and online prep

Elevate workshops

Dive into a fast-paced, hands-on experience

Stay connected

Post-program support, mentoring, and opportunities

Find the right program for you

From agriculture to aerospace, every Elevate stream immerses your venture in a sector-specific cohort, pairing you with the right partners, mentors, and investors.

Grains Elevate

Backed by GRDC, this program explores how deep tech can address real-world challenges in the grains sector and supports founders to uncover commercial pathways in agriculture.

Explore the program
Deep Tech Elevate

Supported by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, this program is designed to help deep tech ventures sharpen their commercial strategy and accelerate their journey to market.

Explore the program
Aerospace & Defence Elevate

Delivered in partnership with Investment NSW, this program supports founders developing deep tech solutions in space, aerospace, and defence to build commercial traction and industry connections.

Explore the program
HealthTech Hub Elevate

Delivered through the Cicada HealthTech Hub and supported by NSW Government, this program helps early-stage projects in diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, and health innovation (TRL 1–3) to craft a clear commercialisation strategy.

Explore the program
What makes Elevate special

We know deep tech isn’t like building an app. The path to market is longer, riskier, and often unclear. That’s why Elevate is led by commercialisation experts, investors, and founders who’ve done it themselves. You’ll get honest feedback, tailored advice, and practical tools, plus the push to sharpen your thinking and stretch your ambition.


It's the kind of support you won’t find in other startup programs.

We specialise in the hard stuff

From clinical trials to pilot plants, we understand what it takes to commercialise complex technologies, and we’ve built Elevate to support that journey.

We don’t waste your time

This isn’t weeks of webinars. Elevate is an intense, hands-on sprint built to make meaningful progress, fast.

We push you to think bigger

You won’t just be supported, you’ll be challenged. We ask the hard questions and help you get clear on what it really takes to succeed.

New programs run throughout the year.

Check deadlines and apply early to secure your spot or speak to the team.

A decade of impact...

We’ve run Elevate with hundreds of deep tech founders, researchers, engineers, and scientists witnessing them turn big ideas into real-world solutions. Some found their market. Some landed funding. Others pivoted completely. But all of them walked away with clarity, confidence, and a concrete plan to move forward.

Meet the mentors

Our mentors are seasoned experts across deep tech, investment, industry, and commercialisation. With decades of practical experience across agriculture, space, defence, medtech, and manufacturing, they’ve navigated the path before and now support founders to overcome complex challenges and accelerate their journey to market.

Tim Parsons

Expert in Residence - National Space Industry Hub

Nameeta Bhole

Expert In Residence - National Space Industry Hub

Scott Russell

Expert in Residence - Defence

Alex Shapilsky

Group Executive - Deep Tech & National Space Industry Hub

Sian Priest

Group Executive Impact & Ecosystems, Cicada Innovations

Dr Mark Flynn

Global Edge Medtech Consulting

Archie Judd

Salus Ventures

Emerald Scofield

Main Sequence Ventures

Allan Aaron

Office of Defence Industry Support

Oleg Vornik

DroneShield

Rebecca Dooley

Addisons

Prashanth Rajan

Brandon Capital

Brooke Sauer

Pure Grain Network

Saron Berhane

Blackbird

Jason Whitfield

Main Sequence Ventures

Tim Byrne

Invertigo

Sarah Nolet

Tenacious Venture

Luke Wood

Escavox

"Elevate helped us develop technology breakthroughs into a commercially viable business model. With mentorship from Cicada's experts, we were able to identify our core value proposition framed on what matters to customers. We highly recommend the Elevate program to startups looking to take their business to the next level."

Harrison Crowe-Maxwell
Founder, Puralink

FAQ

Do I need to have a company to apply?

Nope! You don’t need a registered business, ABN, or a finished product, just a compelling deep tech idea and the drive to explore its potential.

How is Elevate delivered?

Most programs are delivered in person at our incubators. Some streams offer online participation for regional or interstate applicants. Check the specific program page or get in touch to confirm.

Can I bring my team?

Yes. If accepted, you're encouraged to bring your co-founders or team members to work on the venture together.

How much does it cost?

Elevate is fully funded — no fees, no equity. It’s backed by government and industry partners who want to see ventures like yours succeed.

Will I receive funding after the program?

You won’t receive direct funding, but you’ll gain clarity, investor connections, and support to pursue capital and grants.

How do you assess applications?

We look at your idea, stage, and fit for the program. If we need more info, we may follow up with questions before making a decision.

What happens after Elevate?

You’ll stay part of the Cicada community, with access to events, mentorship, and future opportunities. Some programs also include 1:1 post-program mentoring.

Our programs

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Cicada x Tech23

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