As ROI goes for investing in deep tech, Sydney deep tech innovator Cicada Innovations has delivered in spades over the past 25 years. The organisation celebrated its 25th anniversary this week, estimating that its role in Australia’s economic growth tops $8 billion, including $6.5 billion in capital raised, high-skill jobs creation, and broader innovation innovation… Read more »
Investment NSW director of innovation Liza Noonan is leaving the government to become Cicada Innovations CEO. Noonan replaces Sally-Ann Williams, who stepped down in mid-2025. Noonan will take the helm of the Sydney-based deep tech incubator on November 3. The move ends a 3.5-year stint in various roles inside the NSW government, during which Investment… Read more »
Artificial kidneys, mission-free mining trucks, low emissions ammonia and GPS-free navigation are just some of the breakthrough innovations that will feature at the Cicada x Tech23 deep tech showcase in Sydney this year. This annual event spotlights Australian science-based startups developing critical technologies in health, energy, infrastructure, and industry A record 150 applications were received… Read more »
Deep tech evangelist Sally-Ann Williams is wrapping up her leadership of Cicada Innovations after six years. Williams, previously head of R&D at Google Australia, signed on in mid 2019, and has transformed the veteran Sydney incubator, steering it deftly through the pandemic and expanding operations to Western Sydney and Melbourne. “This has been one of… Read more »
As taxpayer investments go, the NSW government is on a winner with the National Space Industry Hub, launched in 2021, with every $1 invested in the project resulting in the startups involved attracting $74 in external funding. Cicada Innovations and Investment NSW marked four years of the hub this week with a showcase of the technology involved,… Read more »
An advertising executive. An aerospace engineer. A doctor. Not a punchline – but the profile of Australia’s new generation of innovators. They’re not spinning out of Silicon Valley with SaaS platforms or apps. They’re solving real-world problems: clean flight, robotic surgery, sustainable materials. They’re building deep tech. And they’re doing it in labs, in surgeries,… Read more »
Australian deep tech inventors have given the world wifi, Google Maps, cochlear implants and the goon bag, but a new report into the state of play for the sector suggests that while there’s no shortage of ideas, that potential is being stifled by limited support from venture capital, industry, and government. Pioneering deep tech incubator… Read more »
Australia stands at a crossroads. As one of the world’s richest nations, we have the resources and talent to lead in deep tech innovation. The Federal Government’s ‘Future Made in Australia’ policy is also a welcome starting commitment to fostering local innovation, supporting emerging technologies, and building a resilient economy. But to shift our economy… Read more »
The annual Cicada x Tech23 event returns to Sydney next Wednesday, August 7, and in partnership with the team from Cicada, Startup Daily is profiling the 23 deep tech startups selected to take part. They span five key themes – systems, Cicada CEO Sally-Ann Williams calls them – and this time we’re diving into “Forging Industrial… Read more »
The annual Cicada x Tech23 event returns to Sydney on August 7, and in the coming weeks, in partnership with the team from Cicada, Startup Daily will profile the 23 deep tech startups selected to be part of the day. They span five key themes – systems, Cicada CEO Sally-Ann Williams calls them – and… Read more »
Deep tech ventures are capable of creating global impact. They bring unrivalled improvements in living standards for citizens, such as lengthening average life expectancy, creating jobs and opportunities, and raising wealth. And they can also generate massive social, environmental, and financial returns for Australia specifically, including building long-term economic growth and resilience. Deep tech currently… Read more »
Cicada Innovations has revealed the 23 startups to take part in this year’s Cicada xTech23 event next month. The 23 were chosen from more than 143 applications nationally and span five categories asking big questions about building the future with systemic solutions to broad-reaching problems. They range from wireless charging startup Aquila, which last month… Read more »
Deep tech incubator Cicada Innovations is on the hunt for the nation’s 23 most promising deep tech ventures, to showcase their world-changing innovations at the country’s largest deep tech conference, Cicada x Tech23. Applications are now open for the next three weeks April 12. Founders keen to take part and present at the event are asked to explain… Read more »
The biggest impediment to Australia shifting from a services-based industry to one based on science and engineering is a longstanding deep tech “scaleup problem” according to a new report from incubator Cicada Innovations. The inaugural “Cicada x Tech23 2023 Insights” report is based on data from 128 deep tech applicants to Cicada x Tech23 2023,… Read more »
Cicada Innovations has appointed Dr Katherine Woodthorpe as its new chair, the first woman to lead the board in the 23-year history of the Sydney-based deep tech incubator. The non-executive director (NED) replaces Andrew Rothery after nearly eight years in the role. Dr Woodthorpe has more than three decades of experience in commercialising technologies across a broad… Read more »
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