--- title: Reflecting on 25 Years of Deep Tech Impact description: In my second week as CEO we recently celebrated a pretty remarkable milestone - 25 years since Cicada Innovations first opened its doors. What began as an ambitious experiment in turning Australian research into real-world impact has grown into the beating heart of our national deep tech ecosystem. image: https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hubfs/CCA01233.jpg --- [![Cicada-Logo-Large](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Cicada-Logo-Large.png?width=200&height=273&name=Cicada-Logo-Large.png "Cicada-Logo-Large")](https://www.cicadainnovations.com) Open main menu Close main menu - [Cicada Innovations Blog](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog) [Deep Tech](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/tag/deep-tech) [Cicada Spotlight](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/tag/cicada-spotlight) [CEO Update](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/tag/ceo-update) [Cicada News](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/tag/cicada-news) # Reflecting on 25 Years of Deep Tech Impact [Liza Noonan](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/author/liza-noonan) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/reflecting-on-25-years-of-deep-tech-impact) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/reflecting-on-25-years-of-deep-tech-impact) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/reflecting-on-25-years-of-deep-tech-impact) ![](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hubfs/CCA01233.jpg) November 2025 In my second week as CEO we recently celebrated a pretty remarkable milestone - 25 years since Cicada Innovations first opened its doors. What began as an ambitious experiment in turning Australian research into real-world impact has grown into the beating heart of our national deep tech ecosystem. Standing among founders, researchers, partners, and alumni in our South Eveleigh home, I was struck by the scale of what this community has built together. From an initial public investment of $20 million, Cicada has helped generate more than $8 billion in economic activity — through capital raised, high-skill job creation, and the ripple effects of innovation born within these walls. It’s a testament not just to Cicada, but to the vision and persistence of generations of Australians who believe that science and technology can transform our world. As someone newly stepping into the CEO role, I’m deeply aware that this success isn’t mine to claim - it belongs to the founders who dared to take the leap, to the teams who’ve nurtured them, to the universities and government partners who believed in long-term investment, and to the community that has kept showing up, learning, and building together for 25 years. ![CCA01190](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CCA01190.jpg?width=522&height=348&name=CCA01190.jpg) Cicada’s purpose has always been clear: to turn world-class research and invention into industries of the future. And we do this by providing something rare — a home where deep tech startups can take the time they need to test, fail, iterate, and grow. As Rux Energy founder Dr Jehan Kanga put it, Cicada has provided the innovation “rocket fuel” for companies to survive and thrive before generating revenue. It’s what has enabled a new wave of Australian ventures to push the boundaries of energy, resources, semiconductors, and health. In Jehan’s words, “Cicada is the most important piece of innovation infrastructure in Australia.” ![CCA01208](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CCA01208.jpg?width=361&height=542&name=CCA01208.jpg) That sentiment captures what I’ve quickly come to appreciate. Cicada isn’t just an incubator; it’s a national asset. It connects people with purpose. It’s the bridge between the lab and the marketplace, between invention and impact. And it has done so with ambition, a “get it done” attitude and relentless optimism for a quarter of a century. Looking ahead, my focus is on building on this extraordinary legacy - expanding the reach of deep tech innovation across the country, strengthening our partnerships with academia, industry and government, and ensuring that every scientist, engineer, and founder with a world-changing idea has a pathway to make it real. ![CCA00532](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CCA00532.jpg?width=465&height=310&name=CCA00532.jpg) The next 25 years will ask us to be even bolder. From energy transition to defence capability, from climate resilience to health innovation - the challenges are immense, but so are the opportunities. Australia’s ingenuity is our greatest natural resource, and Cicada exists to help it flourish. To everyone who has been part of Cicada’s story; our residents, alumni, partners, supporters and team past and present, thank you for building something truly special. I feel incredibly privileged to be joining you at this moment in our journey, as we continue shaping the next chapter of Australia’s deep tech future. --- [Cicada Innovations](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/)is Australia's leading deep tech incubator. With a 25 year track record of developing ventures focused on the world’s most pressing problems and promising opportunities. Their network of incubators, training, and community is designed to meet the unique needs of deep tech startups. Cicada Innovations has been the home of groundbreaking science and bold engineering, transforming ideas into world-changing ventures, reshaping industries, and driving deep tech success stories in fibre optics, space, medtech, and climate innovation, delivering tangible impact for Australia and the world. They are committed to building Australia's deep tech economy. ## Related Articles [![](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hubfs/Canva%20images/%5BBlogTwitter%5D%20-%20Spotlight%20headshots-Jul-27-2023-06-02-41-7201-AM.png)](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/liza-noonan) [Deep Tech](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/tag/deep-tech) [Cicada Spotlight](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/tag/cicada-spotlight) ### [Cicada Spotlight: Liza Noonan](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/liza-noonan) [Cicada x Tech23](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/cicada-x-tech23) wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable support of our amazing sponsors, including our foundational sponsor, the [NSW Government](https://www.nsw.gov.au/), through [...](https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/) ![Evelyn Homin](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed-2.jpeg?width=45&name=unnamed-2.jpeg) [Evelyn Homin](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/author/evelyn-homin) [Read More](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/liza-noonan) [![](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hubfs/Canva%20images/%5BLinkedinTwitter%5D%20Eventworkshop%20posts%20-May-24-2023-06-19-44-4885-AM.png)](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/deeptech-village) [Deep Tech](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/tag/deep-tech) [CEO Update](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/tag/ceo-update) ### [Are you part of the deep tech village?](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/deeptech-village) As the dust settles on this year’s budget, I have reflected on[what it means for the deep tech sector in Australia](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/australian-budget-unveils-support-deep-tech-smes-sally-ann-williams%3FtrackingId=IJen0ThXNY9cPGQH6YnGBw%253D%253D/?trackingId=IJen0ThXNY9cPGQH6YnGBw%3D%3D&utm_campaign=Always%20On&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8dWEwtVtIG3yWxUylg-tWHUqK0F1UAtjiV4hU0q_o8rMnNGH8HqFLxEwBt5kvYU2GUCHoJ).  ![Sally-Ann Williams](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20images/Monthly%20Buzz%20-%20Square-1.jpg?width=45&name=Monthly%20Buzz%20-%20Square-1.jpg) [Sally-Ann Williams](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/author/sally-ann-williams) [Read More](https://info.cicadainnovations.com/blog/deeptech-village) #### About - [About Us](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/about) - [Opportunities](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/whats-on) - [Our Team](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/about/our-team) #### What We Do - [Incubator](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/incubator) - [Current Programs](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/whats-on) - [Partner With Us](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/partner-with-us) #### Insights - [Report: Australia’s Deep Tech Opportunity](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/australias-deep-tech-opportunity) - [Latest News](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/insights) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cicadainnovations/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/CicadaInnov) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/cicadainnovations/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.cicadainnovations.com/)