About this programme
Cicada Innovations is a deep tech incubator based at the National Innovation Centre in Eveleigh, NSW, and it runs a stack of commercialisation programmes for early-stage founders rather than a single grant. "Support" on its site groups several distinct offerings, each aimed at a different stage of a deep tech venture: Foundations (a self-paced online course), Elevate (a short, intensive workshop), Stride (a six-month coaching programme), and the NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program (a health-sector-specific curriculum).
Elevate is described as an immersive workshop for deep tech founders who are ready to move beyond the lab: participants pressure-test their idea, refine their value proposition, and build a commercialisation strategy alongside experts, mentors and investors. It does not require a registered company, an ABN, or a finished product — just a deep tech idea grounded in scientific or engineering innovation.
Stride is a six-month, one-to-one coaching programme for deep tech founders who already have a prototype, early revenue, or a growing team and want a structured pathway to scale. Cicada pairs each participant with a coach and mentors and provides desk space at Cicada HQ; the programme is described as bespoke, with the founder setting the goals.
The NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program is a separate, health-sector-specific pathway delivered by Cicada on behalf of NSW Health, aimed at researchers, scientists, clinicians and entrepreneurs working on medtech, biotech, diagnostics, or software that is considered a medical device. It is structured as a set of stage-specific courses rather than a single cohort programme, and it is funded for NSW residents.
How it works
Elevate runs as a fast-paced, hands-on workshop delivered primarily in person at Cicada's Sydney site (with some online options for regional or allied-country applicants), with sector-specific streams — including HealthTech Hub Elevate, National Space Industry Hub Elevate, and Grains Elevate — that place participants in a cohort matched to their sector along with relevant mentors and investors. Cicada states Elevate is fully funded, with no fees charged and no equity taken.
Stride runs over six months as one-to-one coaching rather than a fixed workshop schedule: a founder is matched with a coach and mentors, given desk space at Cicada HQ, and works toward goals the founder sets, with support that can be delivered in person or virtually. Cicada describes past outcomes as including new partnerships, increased industry engagement, and investment readiness, without stating this as a guaranteed result.
The NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program is built from several components a participant can enter at different stages: a free online Medtech Foundations course; a three-day Business Fundamentals course; three-day sector Specialisation Courses (Therapeutics, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, and Software as a Medical Device); a seven-week (one day per week) Customer Discovery course; and four one-day seminars (Intellectual Property, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Trials, and Navigating the Healthcare System). The programme is funded by NSW Health for NSW residents, and Cicada's own summary states residents outside Greater Sydney can apply for a travel subsidy once accepted onto a course.
Who can apply
Elevate is open to founders based in Australia (some streams accept applicants from allied countries) working on deep tech grounded in scientific or engineering innovation, who are able to attend the core workshop sessions. No company registration, ABN, or finished product is required.
Stride states its applicants must be operating in Australia, be a deep tech start-up or SME developing technology grounded in science or engineering, have some proof of progress (a prototype, team, funding, or traction), and be able to commit to regular coaching and mentoring sessions across the six months.
The NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program is open to researchers, scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in NSW working on a novel medical device, diagnostic, therapeutic product, or software considered a medical device. It is funded specifically for NSW residents.
How to apply
- Elevate: choose the sector-specific stream that matches your venture, apply online describing your idea and current stage, go through Cicada's assessment/review, and if successful you'll be invited to an onboarding step before attending the workshop.
- Stride: apply online via Cicada's application form; shortlisted applicants go through an online interview (pitch plus Q&A) before a selection decision is made and the founder is matched with a coach.
- NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program: applications for each course component (Business Fundamentals, a Specialisation Course, Customer Discovery, or a seminar) are submitted via a two-part application form linked from that course's own page on cicadainnovations.com; Cicada states the review team makes a determination usually within 10–15 working days of the completed submission.
Frequently asked
Do I need a registered company to apply for Elevate?
No. Cicada states you don't need a company, ABN, or finished product to apply for Elevate — just a deep tech idea grounded in scientific or engineering innovation and the drive to develop it further.
Is there a cost to join Elevate or Stride?
No. Both Elevate and Stride are stated as fully funded, with no fees and no equity taken by Cicada.
How long is the Stride programme and what do I get?
Stride runs for six months as one-to-one coaching. Cicada pairs each participant with a dedicated coach and mentors and provides desk space at Cicada HQ, with the founder setting the goals the coaching works toward.
Who can join the NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program?
It's open to NSW-based researchers, scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs working on a novel medical device, diagnostic or therapeutic product, or software considered a medical device. The programme is funded by NSW Health for NSW residents.
How long does it take to hear back after applying to a NSW Health Commercialisation course?
Cicada states applicants are usually notified within 10–15 working days of a completed application.
Can regional NSW residents get help attending in-person NSW Health courses?
Cicada states that NSW residents located outside the Greater Sydney region can apply for a travel subsidy once they have been accepted onto a course.
Which sectors does Cicada Innovations run Elevate streams for?
Cicada runs sector-specific Elevate streams including a general Deep Tech Elevate, HealthTech Hub Elevate, National Space Industry Hub Elevate, and Grains Elevate (backed by GRDC), each pairing participants with mentors and investors from that sector.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.