Welcome to Australia’s home for deep tech

Cicada Innovations is Australia's leading deep tech incubator. With a twenty year track record of developing ventures focused on the world’s most pressing problems and promising opportunities.

Our incubators, training, and community is designed to meet the unique needs of deep tech startups. From cutting-edge labs and flexible space, to mentors and a network of ambitious peers. Our mission is to help startups grow and make Australia a leader in deep tech innovation.

Australia’s biggest deep tech event

10th September 2025, Sydney

As the biggest deep tech event in the country, Cicada x Tech23 is more than just a showcase—it’s a movement. A movement to champion 23 visionary founders, connect them with the right people, and accelerate their journey from lab to market, from startup to scale.

The 2025 Tech23 cohort is tackling challenges from across cancer diagnostics, emission-free aviation, carbon-negative building materials, quantum sensing, and wearable medtech. These ventures represent the best of Australian deep tech: bold ideas backed by world-class science, and a mission to build a more sustainable, secure, and sovereign future.

Meet the 23

Purpose built for deep tech

Our incubator residents have access to custom labs and offices, specialist equipment, training and a thriving community.

If you are a deep tech startup looking for a unique home to grow your business, find out more about our incubators.

About our incubators

Full-lifecycle support

From benchtop to IPO, we support entrepreneurs throughout the startup lifecycle, helping them to grow their commercialisation skills and scale their ideas into deep tech ventures.

Helping you grow

Building community

Our community is for those who believe in the potential of deep tech. We connect and engage entrepreneurs, scientists, investors and policymakers in meaningful conversations, and inspire action to develop more R&D driven businesses to create a more sustainable and prosperous future.

What's on
25 Years as the home of deep tech in Australia

A legacy built on bold ideas, groundbreaking technologies, and the founders who dared to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

A Legacy of Innovation
Born from a vision to transform industrial heritage into a launchpad for science-led ventures, we’ve spent 25 years proving deep tech can thrive here.

1

Deep Tech Through the Decades
From fibre optics to quantum, biotech to space, each era has brought new breakthroughs. We’ve backed pioneers tackling the toughest global challenges.

2

Scaling to Impact
400+ startups incubated, $6.1B raised, thousands of jobs created, global markets reached, We’ve built the infrastructure, expertise, and networks to turn R&D into commercial success.

3

Building Australia’s Deep Tech Economy
Deep tech is more than startups - it’s industries, jobs, and sovereign capability. Our ventures are pioneering solutions in medtech, energy, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing.

4

The Next 25 Years
Deep tech never stands still, and neither do we. As new industries emerge and challenges evolve, we will continue to back Australia’s boldest innovators - expanding our reach, strengthening sovereign capability, and shaping the next era of deep tech breakthroughs.

5
News and Insights

Meet the 23 deep tech ventures selected for Cicada x Tech23 2025

From artificial kidneys to GPS-free navigation; introducing the 23 ventures taking the stage at Cicada x Tech23 2025 this September.

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Four Years of Impact: The National Space Industry Hub Showcase

Since launching in 2021, the National Space Industry Hub has supported over 30 ventures, accelerated commercial readiness, and played a key role in building Australia’s sovereign space capability.

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Cicada Innovations Announces CEO Transition

Cicada Innovations, Australia’s home of deep tech, has announced that CEO Sally-Ann Williams will step down following six years of transformative leadership.

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25 Years of Cicada Innovations

Celebrating 25 years of Cicada Innovations, read about our journey and the future of deep tech in Australia

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Upcoming programs and events

Cicada x Tech23

September 10th, 2025
08:0018:00
Showcasing 23 of Australia’s most promising ventures, Cicada x Tech23 2025 continues to be a vanguard festival of radical innovation and brave ideas in the world of deep tech. This year’s event will take place on Wednesday 10th of September in Sydney and we are showcasing 23 of the most visionary leaders and exciting innovations to champion on the nation's largest deep tech stage.
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HCTP One Day Seminars

August 19th, 2025
We offer four full day seminars covering key topics essential to consider on your health tech commercialisation journey. Each seminar is delivered by industry and healthcare experts and is free to attend.
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Space Hub Connect: Inside the Mind of US Deep Tech VCs with Type One Ventures

August 28th, 2025
16:0017:00
What does it take to secure US venture capital in today's climate — especially in space and deep tech? Join us for a candid virtual fireside chat with Warren Hui, General Partner (APAC) at Type One Ventures, a US-based VC firm backing transformative science and frontier tech startups from pre-seed to scale. We’ll unpack the current US investment landscape, including how global capital is shifting, what’s changed in the past 12 months, and what US VCs are really looking for in deep tech bets. Now deploying their third fund and with a deep heritage in space tech, Type One has a unique perspective on what they look for in international founders — and how Australian startups can stand out.
RSVP

Elevate - Supported by the GRDC

October 14th, 2025
What if your idea could shape the future of food, farming, or the planet? We’re looking for researchers, innovators, and early-stage founders in NSW who are working on cutting-edge solutions - from seed treatments and soil health to sensing tech and supply chain tools. This agtech focused Elevate is a hands-on, expert-led program that will give you the commercial tools, industry insights, and connections you need to turn your idea into a real business opportunity.
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Cicada x Tech23

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