Cicada x Tech23 2026 is just one week away. Here’s everything you need to know.
On Wednesday 9 September at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf from 8am, 23 of Australia’s most promising deep tech ventures will take to the stage to outline their solutions to national-scale challenges.
These solutions originate from breakthroughs in science and engineering. Each possesses the potential to create new industries, revitalise the economy and enhance our quality of life and Australia’s sovereign capability.
Secure your seat to Cicada x Tech23 here.
These challenges and each of the ventures have been grouped into five themes. These are:
These themes form the five main ‘sessions’ of the day. Founders will convey their ideas and tech in a number of formats, including Founder Talks, Fireside Chats and Panels.
Each of the 23 and the group of sponsors and partners that make Cicada x Tech23 possible will be hosting a series of activations in the ‘Deep Tech Village’, where attendees can mix with founders, industry leaders, local and international investors, government delegates, and research institutions.
This year’s Cicada x Tech23 opens with the perspectives of the people that will inherit the future these 23 founders are building.
Speaking with Cicada x Tech23 2026 MC, ABC presenter and science communicator Maddie Massy, students from Camden South Public School in Sydney’s south-west have provided some detailed answers on what they’d like the future to look like.
Providing children with the platform and attendees with the perspective, this year’s scene setting outlines why support for deep tech in Australia today is crucial for the Australia of tomorrow.
8:00: Registration opens
8:55: Welcome to Cicada x Tech23
Speakers & MC: Liza Noonan, Cicada Innovations; Uncle Allan Murray; The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP
9:40-10:20: Engineering New Capability
Founder Talk: Carley Scott, Space CoLab
Panel: Glen Harris, Cortisonic; Obadiah Pewee, Monadd-AI; Krishan Rana, Sydekick Robotics. Moderator: Rupal Ismin, Deteqt
10:50-11:45: A New System of Care
Founder Talk: Nicholas Opie, Ultra Bionics
Fireside Chat: Omar Zuaiter, Dentroid. Moderator: Elaine Stead, Main Sequence Ventures
Panel: Pegah Varamini, Armaitide; Julie Sharp, PremieHealth.
Founder Talk: Tori Fox, Arelis
12:10-13:00: Strengthening our Sovereignty
Founder Talk: Jay Manley, MP Space
Fireside Chat: Emily Pyke, UndaTech. Moderator: Kristen Pelletier, Westpac
Panel: Mikhail Asavkin, ANT61; Alex Barry, Forward Deployed; Jennifer Williams, Stratoship. Moderator: Alex Shapilsky, Cicada Innovations
14:00-14:40: The Built World, Upgraded
Founder Talk: Cristina Cojocaru-Parsons, Corellian
Panel: Angelique Mentis, Parking Spotz; Alireza Yaghoubi, Sydsol; Nick Zeniou, Thermal Dawn. Moderator: Tim Hynes, Radium Capital
15:05-15:55: Re-Sourcing the World
Panel: John Phipps, ALBON; Luke Berry, Clean&Recover; Priscilla Tremaine, Hydro Harvester. Moderator: Jun Qu, Main Sequence Ventures
Fireside Chat: Mo Assefi, Gega Elements. Moderator: Liza Noonan
Founder Talk: Ana Novak, Blue Carbon
15:57: Closing Remarks
16:05: Networking drinks
18:05: Event concludes
Join us at Cicada x Tech23 to engage with these visionary ventures and be part of the conversations shaping the future of deep tech in Australia. Secure your seat here.
Cicada x Tech23 is proudly sponsored by Main Sequence, Westpac Australia, Radium Capital, Addisons, City of Sydney, CSIRO, CFO Plus, FPA Patent Attorneys, University of Technology Sydney, UNSW Founders, Honda Ventures, Techvisa, Invest Hong Kong and Adelaide University