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

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

Media Release | 21/10/25  

Cicada Innovations has appointed Liza Noonan, currently Executive Director of Innovation at Investment NSW, as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing 3rd November 2025.

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. 

Noonan’s background aligns with Cicada’s mission to grow a thriving, sovereign deep tech economy - grounded in science, bold thinking, and real-world impact. She previously served as Global Director of CSIRO, where she also held other senior leadership roles, which included leading the national ON Accelerator and overseeing ASEAN and global innovation partnerships.

Earlier in her career, Noonan was the founding CEO of Springboard Australia, a startup accelerator focused on high-growth, women-led companies, and held senior roles at Alcatel-Lucent. She brings extensive global experience, having worked across the UK, Europe, Singapore, and Australian markets.  

Katherine Woodthorpe, Chair of Cicada Innovations, said: "Liza brings extensive experience in innovation leadership, systems change and global collaboration. She has a great appreciation of the missions that deep tech founders and the public service share in trying to build a globally competitive sovereign tech economy.

"What unites the facets of Liza’s career is a clear throughline: a commitment to building vibrant, inclusive and connected innovation ecosystems. This is work that closely aligns with Cicada’s mission to grow Australia’s deep tech economy and support ventures tackling society’s greatest challenges. We’re confident Liza will bring the right vision and momentum to lead Cicada’s next stage of growth.

"We are especially grateful to Ingrid Marsh for her steady and thoughtful leadership as Acting CEO. Ingrid’s commitment and leadership have been instrumental in maintaining stability and focus during this transition."

Liza Noonan, incoming Chief Executive Officer of Cicada Innovations, said: "Joining Cicada is an absolute career highlight, becoming the latest custodian of an organisation so deeply purpose-driven and committed to supporting deep tech founders. In 2024, two-thirds of venture deals in Australia were directed towards deep tech, so momentum and funding is flowing. But there’s still work needed to position Australia globally.

“Deep tech requires time and patience - not only because the science is so new, but because the problem space is highly complex. As a result, founders need more than just investors; they need access to industry groups, public policy networks, regulatory guidance, and global peers. 

"We’re at a moment where Australia recognises that it holds both the natural endowments and the intellectual capital to arrest the assault on planetary boundaries, build national sovereignty in intelligent productivity and innovate to ensure the future resilience of our health system. But to realise this potential, Australia must position itself as a globally effective collective - one capable of attracting and securing the talent, customers, and capital needed to deliver at scale.

"I believe that over the next 5-10 years Cicada can become a leading force in accelerating transformative, science-based innovation - particularly across the Indo-Pacific. We can do this by becoming the destination and community of choice for deep tech founders, and by providing the critical inputs they need to scale on their own terms. I’m excited to lead action towards this vision.”

For any enquiries please contact media@cicadainnovations.com