National Space Industry Hub launched at Tech Central, Sydney

Australian deep tech incubator Cicada Innovations, supported by the NSW Government, has officially launched the National Space Industry Hub at its Tech Central headquarters, in Sydney’s Australian Technology Park, to help build a vibrant and globally competitive space industry for the nation.

The Hub is set to support world-class research, innovation, collaboration and commercialisation in the sector, and to act as a home and base camp for emerging space tech ventures. It will be delivered by Cicada Innovations due to the incubator’s 20-year track record of developing deep tech ventures.

“Cicada Innovations has a long and proven track record of developing deep tech ventures that tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems,” said NSW Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres. “It made sense to choose Cicada Innovations as our delivery partner for such a critical program, with the space industry only increasing in national importance each year given how many businesses it impacts globally.

“The National Space Industry Hub will be an important hub for businesses both directly involved in the space sector, and the businesses downstream that the space sector relies upon. It will allow us to harness Australia’s well-established research infrastructure, world-class universities and an abundance of local innovators who are busy researching, developing and commercialising space technology.”

The Hub will offer tailored support, physical laboratory and workspace with state-of-the-art facilities, resources, mentoring, coaching and commercialisation training programs for space entrepreneurs, emerging space ventures and researchers across Australia. Some of its nationally delivered programs will include a:

• free and online course for researchers, engineers and aspiring entrepreneurs looking for foundational knowledge on how to commercialise space technology;
• series of free and hybrid workshops for a cohort of researchers and entrepreneurs seeking to test and validate their space tech idea with peers and experts; and
• free bespoke six-month coaching program for space entrepreneurs looking to accelerate their space venture.
   

The Hub will also closely collaborate with other space actors in NSW, including the NSW Space Research Network, SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre, Space Industry Association of Australia, University of Technology Sydney Tech Lab, UNSW, ANU InSpace and University of Sydney. These collaborations will give residents and participants access to invaluable research and networking opportunities vital to commercialisation.

Sally-Ann Williams, CEO of Cicada Innovations, said, “Cicada Innovations is already the best place in Australia to build a deep tech business, and now it will be one of the best places to build a space tech company. Our track record in hardware, software, prototyping and manufacturing also combines with our unique multisector approach that connects founders from across different deep tech verticals to discover entirely novel ways of solving big-picture problems.

“Our community is a melting pot for entrepreneurs, scientists, businesses and industry. By connecting entrepreneurs, policymakers and researchers, we can help make Australia a leader in space innovation, while developing the advanced science that will create a more sustainable and prosperous future.”

Image caption: Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams at the launch of the National Space Industry Hub.

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