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.

For every public dollar invested to establish Cicada, more than $400 in economic activity has been generated, proof of the power of long-term investment in deep tech.

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

Every breakthrough begins somewhere. Foundations builds the skills, Elevate prepares you to scale and Stride helps you gain traction. Together, these programs form Australia’s most comprehensive pathway for deep tech founders determined to transform big ideas into lasting impact.

Explore our programs

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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News and Insights

Cicada Innovations celebrates 25 years and $8 billion in economic impact as it expands support to Australia’s deep tech innovators

Cicada Innovations has announced its 25th anniversary milestone, revealing that its conservative estimated total contribution to the Australian economy exceeds $8 billion, based on $6.5 billion in capital raised, high-skill job creation, and broader innovation spillovers driven by the ventures it has supported.

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Cicada Innovations names innovation leader Liza Noonan as its new CEO, to accelerate Australia’s deep tech ambitions

Noonan’s appointment marks an exciting chapter in Cicada’s 25-year journey as Australia’s home of deep tech, supporting over 400 startups, helping raise over $6 billion in funding and creating thousands of jobs. 

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Tech23 2025: The stories are here. Relive the magic of Australian deep tech biggest event

Every founder who took the Tech23 stage this year wasn’t just sharing an innovation, they were sharing a blueprint for how Australia can feed itself, power itself, care for its people, and stay competitive in the decades ahead.

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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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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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Upcoming programs and events

Elevate Courses - Now Recruiting

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.
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Cicada x Westpac Webinar: Cashflow Management for Deep Tech Founders

December 3rd, 2025
12:3001:15

Deep-tech founders face unique financial challenges: long timelines, high R&D, and irregular revenue. Join us and Westpac for a session designed to turn your cashflow into a strategic tool for growth and resilience.

Led by Melanie Portelli, you'll gain tailored insights, practical frameworks, and learn how to use Westpac's tools to build visibility, manage challenges (like late payments), and plan confidently.

Strengthen your financial capability—register now for this free, insightful webinar!

RSVP

HealthTech Hub Showcase at Innovate Western Sydney

November 25th, 2025
09:3005:30

Join innovators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and visionaries at Innovate Western Sydney 2025, a showcase of the region’s thriving innovation ecosystem. Whether you’re a startup founder, researcher, business leader, student, or investor, Innovate Western Sydney 2025 is your chance to connect, collaborate, and be inspired. Discover the latest trends, explore new pathways for collaboration, and grow your network within a community committed to innovation and growth. Networking Cocktails hosted by Cicada Innovations: Continue the conversations and build valuable connections in a relaxed setting.

RSVP

Nucleate Australia x Cicada Innovations: Customer Discovery Night

December 4th, 2025
05:3009:00

The program will introduce Nucleate Australia and Cicada Innovations' missions in kickstarting startups, successful entrepreneurship and specialised support. You will then hear from four expert speakers as they share their perspectives on customer discovery. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop, where they can take their own ideas through guided customer discovery activities.

RSVP

Australia’s biggest deep tech event

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

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Cicada x Tech23

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