Events

Space Elevate is a series of workshops for Australian researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs looking to develop a space-tech idea into a business.

The virtual floor will also be open for you to ask all your burning questions.

You'll hear from Cicada's Head of Space Tech, Julie Autuly, our Space Expert in Residence, Tim Parsons, our CEO Sally-Ann Williams, and a member of the National Space Industry Hub.

Space Elevate Info Session

 as we discuss the current Space economic climate and what challenges and opportunities this presents for the sector.

Australia is shaping its future as a leading Space nation with record levels of public investment into the sector. To understand 

how this massive public funding boost is transforming the current landscape and impacting the private funding sector

, we are convening a panel of local investors to deep dive into the current funding landscape for Australian Space startups.  

Martin Duursma joined Main Sequence Ventures in June, 2017. Martin has over 25 years experience as a Senior Executive, Technologist, Business Founder, Angel Investor and Mentor both in Australia and the US. Prior to joining Main Sequence Martin was a senior executive with a range of global responsibilities at Citrix. 

Martin continues to be active as an angel investor as well as in various advisor and mentor roles at Macquarie University, Sydney University and ON, Australia’s national science technology accelerator and as board trustee at the Computer History Museum, CA USA. Martin holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Sydney University.

 (BSc, MBA), Commercialisation Facilitator at 

Tamara comes from a background of Quantum Physics and pursued business instead of a career in research. Whilst studying an MBA (Executive), she worked across academia (Sydney Nano Institute), Government (Ministry of Health) and Industry (Cochlear) and has found herself within the nexus between these tripartite capabilities. 

Tamara has grown networks across the Engineering, Science and Defence sectors in the role of Industry and Innovation Manager at the UNSW and has been committed to supporting startups from the academia space with offering consultancy and grant application support. She has recently completed a secondment with the Naval Shipbuilding College leading the Education and Training team. 

Ian is a senior executive with over 30 years’ experience and an excellent track record of results as a change agent. He has held senior executive roles in several large media organisations, recently as Managing Director, Telstra Television (35% owner of Foxtel).

Over the last seven years, Ian has been increasingly involved with tech start-ups – as mentor/advisor and angel investor. Ian is also a mentor in our 

and has a portfolio of 16 companies, of which he is on the Board of 5. Currently, Ian splits his time between his start-up activities, investing in and advising young tech companies, including his 5 NED roles.

i4 Connect is a startup and commercialisation practice providing advice and guidance to entrepreneurs via the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme. Empowering entrepreneurs to build the businesses of tomorrow, it delivers the Entrepreneurs’ Programme Accelerating Commercialisation service nationally.

Its team of 26 facilitators have real-world business and entrepreneurial knowledge along with the skills to help founders on their commercialisation journey through to first sales and beyond.

Leveraging their own start-up experiences, networks and contacts to help grantees, i4 Connect guides each applicant down the pathway to receive up to $1m in matched funding grant support. Over the past two years, i4 Connect has helped over 100 start-ups in a wide range of cutting-edge technologies with global market potential, helping them secure over $60m in grant funding. 

Space Hub Connect - September 2022

We are excited to have you in our Space Elevate program. Here's what you need to know and complete to prepare for the workshops.

We are looking forward to having you with us, 

Space Elevate 

Join us for our last Space Hub Connect of the year at Cicada Innovations!

Moderated by our Space-Expert-in-Residence 

, and through the viewpoints and lessons of two successful space entrepreneurs and key players, we'll learn diverse pathways to building a space business, explore the rising career opportunities in the Australian Space industry, and discuss opportunities in the sector for future workforce in the startup world. 

Annie works in product management, policy and innovation for 

, an Australian space start up which does space-based imaging and on-orbit inspection.

She also works as an Associate Lecturer for the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Science, is on the Advisory Council for the Space Industry Association of Australia, and is a member of the Space Generation Advisory Council ‘Ethics and Human Rights in Space’ Project Group and the Space Law Council of Australia and New Zealand. In addition, Annie is a program consultant to the 

, and is also the host and creator of the Space Junk Podcast.

, developing advanced space robotics in Australia to help humans explore space. Prior to this, he led software product development as Head of Engineering & Product at Atlassian, Australia’s first tech unicorn, for 15 years. 

Space Hub Connect - November 2022

 is a 2 day workshop and online course designed and delivered by experts at 

, to help deep tech startups take their business to the next level on the commercialisation journey.

You'll hear from Cicada's Head of Deep Tech, Hebbat Manhy, our Program Coordinator, Hela Zargouni, and a representative of the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer.

NSW Deep Tech Program - Info Session

Join us for an evening of celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the National Space Industry Hub.

Discover how space entrepreneurs are transforming their industry, learn about the new collaborations formed across the ecosystem, and hear from leaders on the opportunities for adjacent sectors to join the space race.

We'll also celebrate and learn more about the groundbreaking technologies of 

, and other space ventures at the National Space Industry Hub.

 will be joining us for this special occasion. Represented by the UK Government, the UK Space Agency, and executives from 29 UK space companies, this will be a unique opportunity to create international space relationships and facilitate collaboration between the UK and Australia.

National Space Industry Hub Expo 2023

We are excited to have you in our Space Elevate program in Brisbane. Here's what you need to know and complete to prepare for the workshops.

Space Elevate Brisbane

Are you working on a sensor technology and ready to take it to the next level? 

 workshop in the Engine Shop exclusive for Cicada residents

This is your chance to ask all your questions on the technical challenges you are facing while building your technology and get practical support to move forward.

Due to the Engine Shop capacity, spots are limited to 10 people. 

Workshop - Scaling your sensor technology

Deep Tech Elevate

Elevate is a 2-day workshop that helps early stage climate tech entrepreneurs and innovators to:

Attend this info session to hear from Hebbat Manhy, the Head of Technology at Cicada Innovations and from the NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change to learn more about how this program can help you turn your technology into a business. 

Climate Tech Elevate Info Session

From prototyping to manufacturing

Save the date for our upcoming Space Lunches!

We want this to be an opportunity for all the Space Hub residents to connect, discuss challenges, share advice and build their network.

​​Occasionally, we'll invite guest experts to dive into specific topics.

We'll be providing lunch. Please click attending for catering numbers and indicate your dietary restrictions if any.

Space Hub Lunch - 2023

Climate Tech Elevate

We're bringing the community together for the first 'Space Hub Connect' event.

Join us for an evening with the Australian space tech community - to collaborate, reconnect, and share knowledge and opportunities.

Space Hub Connect 2023

 Cicada Innovations. Immerse yourself in Sydney's hardware startup community while listening to experts' viewpoints and connecting with key people across the sector.

While prototyping has become faster and more cost-effective for hardware companies, the process of scaling hardware products locally can be a costly and challenging task that is difficult to undo if not done correctly.

Fortunately we've got you covered with the next 

, where you can gain first-hand insights from a panel of experts on the intricacies of scaling deep tech products in Australia.

Discover practical steps and opportunities to make local scaling a reality with 

i sharing their experiences in the midst of scaling, 

 providing the infrastructure to make it all happen.

Rob is an experienced marketer that recently made the switch from medtech to agtech to join regionally based connectivity company 

. Rob leads the marketing and business development functions for the business. In late 2022, Zetifi raised $12m to transition their products from proven prototypes to mass-market solutions for farmers and other rural residents that live and work in poor coverage areas.

Rob has qualifications in science, education and marketing from the University of New South Wales and over 13 years of experience in diverse marketing, communications and product development roles in the medical devices sector. He has a strong interest in communications and ensuring that a business’s resources and solutions are clearly aligned with customer needs. At Zetifi, this interest has been applied through his contributions to product development as the business has worked through the necessary experimentation and testing stages of their product and technology design process.

Jeka is a highly accomplished professional with a strong background in chemistry and printed electronics, having worked in both industry and academia. Her passion for using technology to solve real-world problems has been evident throughout her career. She earned her Master's degree from RWTH Aachen and gained valuable startup experience in printed electronics in Germany prior to pursuing a PhD at ANU. During her doctoral program, Jeka co-invented and led the development of an innovative additive manufacturing method using electrochemistry, which ultimately led to the creation of Syenta. 

As the CEO and Co-Founder of Syenta, Jeka is currently spearheading the company's mission to revolutionize the electronics manufacturing sector by delivering printers based on their groundbreaking technology to customers. Her expertise and leadership skills are invaluable assets to the company's success.

Navin is an established research commercialisation professional with background in research and manufacturing. During his Master of Biotechnology and PhD from the University of Queensland, in 2016 Navin demonstrated the world’s first evidence for transdermal magnesium absorption in human skin. This research outcome was translated into a commercially successful formulation for the swimming pool industry that enables bathers to topically supplement magnesium, thereby providing health benefits. Following which Navin was involved in onshoring projects that resulted in bringing back $12M per annum worth of manufacturing contract to Australia and developing novel intellectual property along the way. 

More recently, Navin played a leading role in manufacturing of P2 respirators as part of emergency response program and establishing sovereign capability. Additionally, Navin has also held business development roles where he was involved in securing grants for clients, early-stage technology transfer from universities and preparation of R&D projects for investment opportunities. 

In his current role with ANFF, Navin facilitates businesses to access cutting edge capabilities in micro- and nano- fabrication that underpins miniaturisation of next generation of technology hardware.

An event for the Sydney hardware startup community hosted by hardware entrepreneurs.