What Cicada Innovations does

Cicada Innovations is Australia's longest-running deep tech incubator, founded around 2000 and operating for over 25 years to support science-based ventures commercialising breakthroughs in health, agriculture, space, biotech, advanced materials, synthetic biology, AI, robotics, and other frontier technology domains. The organisation operates three purpose-built physical incubators: the flagship Cicada Eveleigh facility at the National Innovation Centre in Sydney, the HealthTechHub at Westmead (a $7.8 million NSW government-supported biomedical incubator inside one of Australia's largest health precincts), and the Jumar Bioincubator in Melbourne (operated in partnership with CSL, WEHI, and University of Melbourne inside CSL's global headquarters). Each facility provides custom laboratories, specialist equipment, offices, and shared design and prototyping space to early-stage deep tech ventures.

The commercial model is built around four revenue streams: incubator residency fees (monthly subscription for workspace and lab access), commercialisation program fees (Foundations, Elevate, Stride, Fast Start, Grains Challenge, NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program, SPARC, AMR Commercialisation 101, National Space Industry Hub), government grants and program funding (Investment NSW, NSW Health, Victorian Government, Breakthrough Victoria, GRDC), and event and partnership fees (Tech23 annual showcase, Pioneer Partners including Radium Capital and Wrays). Cicada has supported over 400 ventures, facilitated more than AUD $6.5 billion in capital raised, generated AUD $8 billion in estimated economic contribution, and trained over 2,500 researchers through its NSW Health program alone, claiming $400 in economic activity for every public dollar invested.

The organisation's go-to-market combines direct residency applications, structured program enrolment, government and research institution referrals, and the annual Tech23 showcase event as a pipeline for venture identification. Distribution is anchored by partnerships with Brandon Capital, CSIRO, GRDC, WEHI, CSL, and multiple state governments. The customer base is segmented across health-tech/medtech startups (primary), agtech/grains innovators (primary), general deep tech startups (primary), and secondary segments in space tech, biotech, and academic researchers/clinicians. Cicada is led by CEO Liza Noonan (appointed November 2025), with Group Executives in Technology & Commercialisation and Impact & Ecosystems, plus dedicated Experts-in-Residence and a Head of Space Tech with prior ESA and CNES experience.

Name

Cicada Innovations

Legal name

Cicada Innovations Pty Limited

Website

https://cicadainnovations.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cicada Innovations is Australia's leading deep tech incubator, operating three physical facilities in Sydney and Melbourne and delivering commercialisation programs for science-based startups across health, agriculture, space, biotech, and emerging technology sectors, with a 25-year track record of supporting 400+ ventures.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Deep Tech Incubator Services

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

Keywords

• Deep tech incubator
• Venture incubation services
• Research commercialisation training
• Biotech accelerator programs
• Startup scaleup programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Incubator residency fees: Cicada Innovations charges startups for affordable, flexible office and lab space rental at its incubator facilities. Residency provides access to custom labs, offices, shared design and prototyping space, and a deep tech community.
2. Government grants and program funding: Cicada receives grant funding from government bodies including Investment NSW, NSW government, Breakthrough Victoria, and GRDC to design and deliver specialised incubators, commercialisation training, and innovation programs. These grants fund the operations of facilities such as the HealthTechHub at Westmead and Jumar Bioincubator.
3. Program fees (commercialisation training): Cicada delivers commercialisation programs (Foundations, Elevate, Stride) to researchers, founders, and organisations. Programs are funded through partnerships with government and industry bodies (e.g., NSW Health, GRDC, CSIRO) and may include participant fees for certain programs.
4. Event and partnership fees: Cicada generates revenue through event partnerships, sponsorships, and community programs such as Tech23, where partner organisations sponsor the annual deep tech showcase event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Cicada Innovations operates Australia's leading deep tech incubator, providing purpose-built physical incubator facilities (Eveleigh, HealthTechHub at Westmead, Jumar Bioincubator in Melbourne), commercialisation training programs (Foundations, Elevate, Stride), expert-in-residence mentoring, and the annual Tech23 showcase. The organisation supports 400+ deep tech ventures across biotech, healthtech, agtech, space, advanced materials, AI, robotics, and synthetic biology, helping founders bridge research to commercial outcomes.

Product overview

Cicada Innovations is Australia's leading deep tech incubator providing a platform of physical incubators and programs. The core offerings include three physical incubator locations (Cicada Eveleigh in Sydney, HealthTechHub at Westmead in Sydney, and Jumar Bioincubator in Melbourne) providing labs, offices, and community for deep tech startups. These are supported by a suite of programs including Foundations (early-stage skills building), Elevate (market validation and scaling workshops), and Stride (6-month coaching for traction), along with specialized programs like the NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program and National Space Industry Hub. The flagship Tech23 annual event showcases 23 deep tech startups. The organization has supported over 400 ventures and facilitated over AUD $6 billion in funding, generating approximately $400 in economic activity for every public dollar invested.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HealthTechHub at Westmead: A health-focused biomedical incubator at Westmead Health & Innovation District, supporting early-stage health-tech startups in areas like cell therapy, cancer research, and vaccines.
• Jumar Bioincubator
• Tech23
• Cicada x Tech23

Products and services

• Cicada Eveleigh Incubator Sydney-based deep tech incubator at Eveleigh, NSW providing custom labs, offices, specialist equipment, training, and a thriving community for deep tech startups across advanced materials, synthetic biology, AI, robotics, and space technology.
• HealthTechHub at Westmead Health-focused incubator at Westmead Health & Innovation District in Western Sydney, supported by a $7.8 million NSW government grant, providing early-stage incubation for pre-revenue health-tech startups in cell therapy, cancer research, infectious diseases, immunology, and vaccines.
• Jumar Bioincubator Melbourne-based biotech incubator operated by Cicada Innovations in partnership with CSL, WEHI, and University of Melbourne, featuring purpose-built wet lab space and offices for up to 40 biomedical startups and scale-ups within the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.
• Foundations Program Early-stage program building skills for deep tech founders at the start of the commercialisation journey, forming the foundation of Cicada's full-lifecycle support pathway.
• Elevate Program Intensive workshops for deep tech founders ready to move beyond the lab, helping them validate the market, shape business models, build commercialisation strategy, and make investor connections in a short, fast-paced environment.
• Stride Program 6-month tailored coaching program that helps deep tech ventures set goals and gain traction, with expert-in-residence support guiding technology adaptation for commercial adoption; includes specialised variants for the grains industry (GRDC Stride).
• NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program Structured health commercialisation training program delivered by Cicada on behalf of NSW Health for nine years, training over 2,500 researchers and innovators, with participants collectively raising $134.8 million and creating 40 new companies.
• National Space Industry Hub Initiative of the NSW Government delivered by Cicada Innovations to build Australia's space ecosystem, connecting entrepreneurs with the resources, networks, and expertise needed to grow space ventures, including a dedicated Fast Start program and Expert-in-Residence (Tim Parsons).
• Tech23 Annual festival and showcase event championing 23 exceptional deep tech startups per year and connecting them with investors, industry leaders, and decision-makers across health, climate, advanced manufacturing, space, and emerging frontier technologies.
• Fast Start Program 6-month bespoke coaching program for high-potential entrepreneurs designed to supercharge their commercialisation journey through personalised mentoring and access to Cicada's physical incubator facilities.
• Grains Challenge (Grains Elevate and Grains Stride) Two-stage GRDC-partnered program comprising Grains Elevate (2-day intensive workshop) and Grains Stride (6-month coaching) designed to help innovators translate deep tech solutions into commercial impact for the Australian grains industry.
• SPARC (Strategic Program for Advancing Research Commercialisation) Structured program in partnership with Breakthrough T1D Australia designed to bridge the gap between Type 1 Diabetes discoveries and real-world solutions for the T1D community through expert guidance and strategic support for research teams and clinicians.

Quantifiable outcome

• AUD $8 billion+ in total economic contribution to the Australian economy over 25 years
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Brandon CapitalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2023Cicada partnered with Brandon Capital (Australasia's leading life science VC firm) to deliver health-focused programs at the HealthTechHub Westmead. Brandon Capital provides membership for Westmead institutions, supports commercial outcomes through Cicada's commercialisation programs, mentoring, and innovator support. Brandon BioCatalyst is a collaboration of over 50 leading medical research institutes, investors, and government united to progress medical therapies and technology.
• CSLflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2022Cicada Innovations was appointed as the independent operator of a new biotech incubator in Melbourne, partnering with CSL, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research), and University of Melbourne, with support from Breakthrough Victoria. Located over two floors of CSL's new global headquarters in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, the facility includes purpose-built wet lab space and offices for up to 40 biomedical startups and scale-ups.
• WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2022WEHI is a key partner in the Jumar Bioincubator alongside CSL, University of Melbourne, and Cicada Innovations. The partnership aims to bring a world-class biomedical incubator to reality, connecting breakthrough research with innovation nationally.
• University of MelbourneflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2022University of Melbourne is a co-founder of the Jumar Bioincubator alongside CSL, WEHI, and Cicada Innovations. The partnership aims to create a world-class biomedical incubator in Melbourne's biomedical precinct.
• WraysminorOthers · 7 February 2022Wrays became Cicada's second Pioneer Partner, joining Radium Capital in the Pioneer Partner initiative. Wrays provides intellectual property services and support to Cicada's deep tech community of innovators.
• GRDC (Grains Research and Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRDC partnered with Cicada Innovations' Stride incubator program to help agtech startups collaborate with growers early in product development. The partnership addresses the gap where innovators often build solutions without understanding farmers' practical needs. The program has mentored over 15 agtech ventures. Cicada delivers both the Grains Elevate (intensive 2-day workshop) and Grains Stride (6-month coaching) programs under this partnership.
• CSIROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCicada has partnered with CSIRO on multiple initiatives including the AMR Commercialisation 101 program, a free online training course helping researchers, SMEs, and innovators commercialise solutions to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). CSIRO and Cicada work together across multiple innovation and commercialisation initiatives.
• Biennale of SydneyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCicada partnered with the Biennale of Sydney on the New & Sustainable Materials Expo and related events, connecting deep tech innovators working on sustainable materials with a broader cultural and creative audience.
• MTPConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTPConnect (Medical Technology, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Innovation Centre) partnered with Cicada on biotech and medtech ecosystem development initiatives.
• British CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBritish Council collaborated with Cicada on events and programs including the UK Australia Season and Sustainable Materials Challenge, supporting cross-border innovation connections.
• evokeAGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerevokeAG partnered with Cicada on agtech innovation events and ecosystem development, connecting Australian agtech innovators with broader industry networks.
• UK Science and Innovation NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Science and Innovation Network collaborated with Cicada on programs connecting Australian deep tech with UK innovation ecosystems, particularly in the context of the UK Australia Season.
• CSL BehringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSL (CSL Behring) partnered with Cicada through the Jumar Bioincubator in Melbourne, contributing to the vision of a world-class biomedical incubator in Australia's biomedical precinct. Cicada is the independent operator of this facility at CSL's headquarters.
• Liverpool Innovation PrecinctminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCicada partnered with Liverpool Innovation Precinct to deliver commercialisation training to individuals from southwest Sydney, including the Medlab 101: Research to Real Impact program targeting researchers and clinicians in the region.
• Westmead Health & Innovation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe HealthTechHub at Westmead is located within the Westmead Health & Innovation District, one of Australia's largest health and biomedical research precincts. The precinct is home to four hospitals, two university campuses, two large research institutes, NSW's largest pathology service, and allied health centres. The precinct is expected to grow to more than 50,000 jobs and 10,000 students by 2036.
• WestpacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWestpac partnered with Cicada on events including cashflow and growth workshops for deep tech founders, providing financial expertise and insights to the Cicada community.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: One of the world's largest global accelerator networks, running multiple industry-specific programs. Comparable as an established incubator operator with broad portfolio and structured founder programs, though broader in scope than Cicada's deep tech focus.
• Y Combinator: World-leading global startup accelerator providing seed funding, mentorship, and programs. Comparable as the benchmark incubator operator in terms of structured programs and venture outcomes, though Cicada focuses narrowly on deep tech rather than software startups.
• Plug and Play: Global innovation platform operating corporate-partnered accelerator programs across multiple verticals including health, fintech, and deep tech. Comparable as an incubator operating physical locations and corporate-backed programs for emerging technology ventures.

Direct peers

• Antler: Global early-stage venture capital and accelerator with a strong presence in Australia (Antler Australia). Comparable as a founder-focused accelerator offering programs, capital, and mentorship to early-stage startups.
• SOSV: Global venture capital firm operating multiple deep tech accelerators (HAX for hardware, IndieBio for biotech, dlab for blockchain). Closely comparable as a deep tech-focused accelerator operator with programs spanning biotech, hardware, and frontier technology.
• Stone & Chalk: Australia's largest startup and innovation hub, operating physical incubators and programs for emerging technology companies. Directly comparable as an Australian-based incubator with government backing and multi-vertical focus.
• Startmate: Leading Australian accelerator and venture fund running founder programs and fellowship cohorts. Directly comparable as a domestic accelerator that combines structured programs with investor access for early-stage Australian startups.
• MedTech Actuator: Asia-Pacific's largest medical technology accelerator, based in Australia. Comparable as a specialized accelerator targeting health and medical technology ventures with structured commercialization programs.
• Creative Destruction Lab: Global science and technology-based startup accelerator operating across multiple universities and geographies. Comparable as a deep tech-focused incubator providing mentorship and capital access for science-based ventures.

Regional players

• Boab AI: Melbourne-based AI-focused pre-accelerator and accelerator, also a recipient of Victorian Government AI/deep tech funding alongside Cicada. Comparable as an Australian AI/deep tech accelerator competing for similar founder pools and government program funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CicadaInnov
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CicadaInnovations
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cicadainnovations
• Instagraminstagram.com/cicadainnovations

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments38 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cicada Innovations