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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cicada x Tech23 2026

Cicada x Tech23 is more than a showcase. It is a signal. Each year, Tech23 champions 23 exceptional deep tech startups and connects them with the investors, industry leaders and decision-makers who can help turn deep technical breakthroughs into real-world impact.

The 2026 Tech23 cohort will reflect the depth and diversity of Australia’s deep tech pipeline. From health and climate to advanced manufacturing, space and emerging frontier technologies, these companies represent bold ambition backed by world-class science, building solutions critical to Australia’s future competitiveness, resilience and sovereignty.

Learn more about Tech23

Upcoming programs and events

Beyond the Patent - HealthTech Hub Masterclass

February 13th, 2026

01:0003:00

In the world of medical research, the path from a breakthrough discovery to a clinical reality is rarely a straight line. While a patent is a significant milestone, it is only one piece of the puzzle. To truly drive impact, researchers and entrepreneurs must understand how intellectual property (IP) determines market access, partnership opportunities, and the long-term viability of their innovations. This masterclass, hosted at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI), is designed to give clinicians, researchers, and founders the "due diligence" toolkit needed to work effectively with tech transfer offices and commercial partners.

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.

Find Out More

NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program - Info Sessions

March 2nd, 2026

12:0012:30

The NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program, run by Cicada Innovations, has been designed by industry experts to help you maximise the impact of your health innovation and successfully commercialise your technology. This online info session will focus on: The different programs on offer, Who the workshops are for & prerequisites, How to apply, and an overview of the content that you will learn. Alex Vellere, Program Manager - Health, will be open to answer all your burning possible questions.

Find Out More

Ask an Expert - 1:1 Mentor Sessions

An exciting opportunity for clinicians, researchers, and health tech founders to gain invaluable insights and personalised advice from a distinguished panel of Mentors, Investors, and Funders.

Find out more

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Cicada x Tech23

Learn more about Cicada x Tech23 2025