Deeptech incubator Cicada innovations has chosen its first cohort of startup founders to showcase world-changing innovations at its annual deep technology conference Cicada x Tech23.

Cicada became a trustee of Tech23 last year, reviving Australia’s longest running deep tech event to support Australian deep tech innovators

The 23 companies were chosen from more than 130 applications nationally – the highest number received in Tech23’s 13 years.

They are grouped into five overarching categories aimed at asking big questions about how we build the future to address broad issues from ending waste to creating truly circular economies; to the rebuilt environment and the creation of sustainable, smart and biodiverse cities; shifting the mindset in medicine from cure to prevention; co-design with nature by creating systems guided and driven by the natural world and powered by technology; and a new view of time by leveraging advances in manufacturing, infrastructure and computing to change the way we use and experience our most precious and limited resource: time.

Cicada happens to be celebrating its 23rd birthday this year, and CEO Sally-Ann Williams said they’ve stayed true to Tech23’s DNA of celebrating radical Australian innovation and profound technological advancements, but have given the conference a makeover by moving away from pitches and awards.

Sally-Ann Williams, CEO of Cicada Innovations

These years Cicada x Tech23on July 26, will feature a series of inspiring talks and in-depth panel discussions focused on how we are solving some of the world’s biggest problems in ways that transcend individual industries or technologies.

“Deep technologies are remarkable breakthroughs in science and engineering, with the potential to have a far-reaching impact on major, seemingly intractable problems in the world. Deep tech companies, such as the 23 companies on Tech23, are finding commercial applications for these innovations,” Williams said.

“To really understand the impact of deep tech ventures, we need to think systemically, not from technological niches or individual industries.

“These companies often use or develop innovations in areas such as AI, biotech, robotics, quantum, and it is rare for these innovations to have applications in just one sector, such as aerospace or medicine. “

Williams cited examples such as using space technologies to monitor agricultural conditions or provide healthcare solutions, and AI applied both to monitoring a patient and as a smart city solution.

“At Cicada x Tech23, we want to spark this meaningful conversation and ask questions that spur us all to dream big, envision new holistic approaches, and think in systems, not silos,” she said.

More Cicada x Tech23 including booking tickets for the one-day conference in Sydney on July 26 is available at cicadainnovations.com/cicada-x-tech23