National Space Industry Hub

🚀What another incredible year it has been for our National Industry Space Hub! Did you know that since we opened in 2022, the NSIH has: - Supported over 82 startups - Who have raised over $52M+ In private capital, and $4.5M grant funding - Generated over $72M+ of revenue  - Supported over 160 jobs  - And 7 residents tech currently in space The NSIH is currently home to 15 space startups, and this year, they have reached stratospheric levels of growth, including: Contactile, Deneb Space, ANT61, Spiral Blue, Mawson Rovers, Euroka Power & Extraterrestrial Power - have their technology in orbit as part of the Waratah Seed mission and many more, literally reaching for the stars! Our residents Aquila, Contactile, Mawson Rovers were featured in the Australian 100 Innovators, Crest Robotics signed Transgrid partnership and appeared on Channel 7 News! Plus, Deneb, Crest, and Aquila were trailblazing their innovations on the Cicada x Tech23 stage! Residents LeoLabs, VXB Aerospace, Aquila, raised over $35 million this year alone! Crest Robotics also received grant funding from Earthbuilt Technology. We also welcomed 5 new residents: Deneb Space, Crest Robotics, MP Space, Starbound Space Solutions, and AROSE to the NSIH! This year, we launched bold new initiatives in aerospace and defence, including Air-to-Space, and Defence Elevate and Customer Discovery in Defence. With its expanded scope, the NSIH will play a crucial role in enhancing national and regional security, economic resilience, and continued innovation. 110 participants joined programs designed to accelerate their growth, including our Fast Start graduates—Crest Robotics, Deneb Space, Starbound Space, Spiral Blue, and Ocean Intelligence—who completed an intense six-month coaching journey to scale up their tech for high-demand applications in the aerospace and defence sector. We don’t do this alone, our growing mentor network made all of this possible. We welcomed new Experts in Residence, Scott Russell and Nameeta Bhole, alongside industry legends Mani Thiru, Larry James, Steve Winnall, and Thomas Nhan Tri Nguyen, providing unmatched support to startups. We would also like to thank our super-star expert in residence, @Tim Parson, for supporting the commercialisation of these innovative startups at every step of the journey in the NSIH.   We also hosted 17 events, welcomed over 700 attendees, and connected with delegations from South Korea, Latvia, the U.S., and beyond. The world is watching, and we’re just getting started. None of this would be possible without the hard work of the NSIH team- Alex Shapilsky and Hela Zargouni, and of course, the unwavering support of the Investment NSW, whose vision is to create a launching pad for ambitious, innovative startups to make a mark in space, aerospace, or defence. Interested in learning more about NSIH, head here: https://lnkd.in/gisqZPQU #deeptech #innovation #aerospace #defence #space

And that's a wrap! Thank you to everyone who attended our Customer Discovery in Defence course! This 4-week program, led by defence industry veterans, equipped startups and SMEs with the tools to navigate the complex world of defence procurement. Participants gained valuable insights from experts like Scott Russell (Cicada Innovations), Mark Le (Advanced Navigation), Allan Aaron (ODIS), Angus Bean (DroneShield), Archie Judd (Salus Ventures), Sian Priest (Cicada Innovations), Mai Le from Investment NSW, Steve Milanoski (AMRF) and heard briefly from Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). Through the course, our participants learned to: - Validate technology for defence applications. - Test assumptions about product-market fit. - Receive direct feedback from key defence stakeholders. The defence sector presents unique challenges – strict compliance, extended procurement cycles, and the critical need for dual-use technology. Our course bridged the gap, helping innovators unlock opportunities in this dynamic market. Did you miss out this time? We'll be offering the Customer Discovery in Defence course again soon! Stay tuned for updates here: https://lnkd.in/gACYrFP4 #defence #australianspaceindustry #deeptech #tech #techinnovation #SMEs #startups

Last week, we hosted our last Space Hub Connect of the year, and what an incredible way to close out 2024! 🚀 From the inspiring words of Prof. Iver Cairns, sharing the remarkable journey of the Waratah Seed project, to the insights from Dr. Annie Handmer (PhD) on Australia’s leadership at the IAC 2025, and the panel moderated by our very own Alex Shapilsky, the evening was a testament to the strength of collaboration in driving Australian space innovation forward. 🌟 A special thank you to our amazing panellists: - Matt Ryall (Mawson Rovers) - Anne Bettens (Deneb Space) - Dr. Dr Roger Kermode (NSW Space Research Network) Your stories and expertise continue to inspire and propel the Australian space sector forward. A special thank you to Investment NSW for your unwavering support throughout the year. Your contributions have been vital to the growth and success of our space community. 💫 To all our speakers, attendees, and the incredible innovators who’ve joined us this year, thank you for making this such a remarkable journey. We’re excited to see how the Australian space ecosystem will continue to thrive. Let’s build on the momentum and keep driving our sector forward! Curious about the National Space Industry Hub and how we’re supporting Australian space innovation? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gisqZPQU #Deeptech #Space #AustralianSpaceIndustry #SpaceTech #Aerospace #Defence

📃🖊️ Latvia's trade mission to Australia concluded with a major milestone: Laura Štrovalde, Deputy Director General responsible for Investment and Energy at Invest in Latvia, signed a letter of intent for collaboration with Australia’s leading deep tech incubator Cicada Innovations. This agreement highlights a shared commitment to advancing deep technologies, particularly in the space and defense sectors, and lays the groundwork for an even stronger partnership. 🦾 During the visit, Cicada Innovations facilitated productive meetings between Latvian entrepreneurs and the incubator’s heads, exploring potential collaborations and the possibility of a follow-up visit to Latvia in 2025. Additionally, the delegation, including Airis Rikveilis, the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of Latvia, Margers Krams, the Latvian Ambassador to Australia, and representatives from Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte (Riga Technical University), also visited the Cybersecurity and Defense Division at the University of Technology Sydney. Discussions centered on innovative approaches to enhancing technological capabilities, reducing national risks, and driving cutting-edge innovation. 🛡️🚀 #InvestinLatvia #EUfunds #EUinmyregion #InvestEU #DeepTech

🚨 Last chance to join us for Space Hub Connect! 🚨 Join us for the final Space Hub Connect of the year and celebrate the incredible journey of Waratah Seed. Hear from industry leaders: 🌟 Dr Annie Handmer (PhD), University of Sydney, and IPC Co-Chair for IAC 2025 🌟 Professor Iver Cairns, Waratah Seed project lead and director of ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, UAVs, and their Applications (CUAVA) 🌟 Matt Ryall, CEO and Co-founder of Mawson Rovers 🌟Anne Bettens, CEO and Co-founder of Deneb Space 🌟 Dr Roger Kermode, Co-Director of NSW Space Research Network (SRN) And learn how powerful partnerships are driving innovation. 🌟 Register now before it's too late! https://lnkd.in/g-Mevw4k 🗓️: Wed, Dec 4, 5:45 pm - 8 pm AEDT 📍: Cicada Innovations, Eveleigh #space #innovation #technology #australiaspaceindustry #deeptech #startup #entrepreneurship #waratahseed #spacetech #techinnovation

It's Launch Time for the Final Space Hub Connect of 2024! Celebrate Waratah Seed's Epic Journey with us and uncover how powerful partnerships are driving space innovation forward. Join a stellar line-up of industry leaders: 🌟 Dr Annie Handmer (PhD), Satellite Policy and Industry Engagement Manager at Optus Satellite and Space Systems, IPC Co-Chair for IAC 2025 🌟 Professor Iver Cairns, Waratah Seed project lead and director of ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, UAVs, and their Applications (CUAVA) 🌟 Matt Ryall, CEO and Co-founder of Mawson Rovers 🌟Anne Bettens, CEO and Co-founder of Deneb Space 🌟 Professor Stefan Williams, Director of the Digital Sciences Initiative at University of Sydney and co-Director SRN Here's your chance to: 🚀 Blast off with the incredible story of Waratah Seed 🚀 Network with the space elite and fellow enthusiasts 🚀 Get a glimpse of the future of Australia's space industry 🇦🇺 Don't miss this epic finale! Spots are limited. Register now: https://lnkd.in/g-Mevw4k 🗓️: Wed, Dec 4, 5:45 pm - 8 pm AEDT 📍: Cicada Innovations, Eveleigh #space #innovation #technology #australiaspaceindustry #deeptech #startup #entrepreneurship #waratahseed #spacetech #techinnovation

Elevate Your Space Tech Venture: Join the Fast Start Program 🚀 Are you a deep tech innovator with a groundbreaking space technology idea? The National Space Industry Hub's Fast Start program is designed to help you turn your vision into reality. Why join Fast Start? 🌟 - Expert Mentorship: Receive personalized coaching from industry leaders like Tim Parsons and Nameeta Bhole. - Dedicated Workspace: Access state-of-the-art facilities and collaborate with a thriving community of innovators. - Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry experts, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs. - Tailored Support: Get the resources and guidance you need to succeed. If your startup is focused on.... ✅ Satellite technologies ✅ Space vehicles and propulsion systems ✅ Aerospace manufacturing ✅ Urban air mobility and green aviation ✅ Earth observation, navigation systems, or satellite communications ✅ Analytics, AI, or IoT for aerospace or space capabilities ✅ Green fuels or electric aircraft ✅ Climate monitoring Then apply now! https://lnkd.in/gR5mQCRR #spacetech #innovation #startup #entrepreneurship #spaceindustry #australia #deeptech

Join us for the last Space Hub Connect of the year as we celebrate and explore the successful launch and groundbreaking journey of Waratah Seed and uncover how powerful partnerships are driving space innovation forward. 🚀 Hear from industry leaders: - Prof. Iver Cairns: Director of ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, UAVs, and their Applications (CUAVA), the driving force behind Waratah Seed. - Dr. Annie Handmer (PhD): IPC Co-Chair for IAC 2025, shaping the future of the global space industry. - Matt Ryall: CEO of Mawson Rovers, pioneering advanced space robotics - Anne Bettens: CEO and Co-founder of Deneb Space, pushing the boundaries of space technology. And join us to: -Learn about the incredible achievements of Waratah Seed. -Discover the power of collaboration in driving space innovation. -Network with industry leaders and fellow space enthusiasts. -Gain insights into the future of the Australian space industry. 🎫 Don't miss out. Limited seats available: https://lnkd.in/gpEuzv5b 🗓️: Wed, 4 Dec, 5:45 pm - 8 pm AEDT. 📍: Cicada Innovations, Eveleigh. #space #innovation #technology #australia #deeptech #startup #entrepreneurship #australianspaceindustry #waratahseed #spacetech

Our resident and Tech23 alumni Crest Robotics is making waves with Energy Source & Distribution, where they outline how innovative tech is achieving more sustainable and streamlined processes. Crest Robotics' Gorilla Mk1 robot revolutionises line maintenance by automating tasks like installing safety devices and towing equipment. Their wireless technology, designed for use on transmission lines, can be used remotely to deploy safety systems before new conductors are pulled over crossings such as major roads or live powerlines. Transgrid executive general manager of network Marie Jordan says, "Our network includes more than 13,000km of high-voltage transmission lines in all kinds of challenging terrain and remote locations, so by embracing innovative technology, we can better manage risks and reduce costs." Read on to find out how Crest Robotics is revolutionising the energy and construction sector to make work safer, more efficient, and more sustainable: https://lnkd.in/gbedvUN8 #robots #robotics #automation #deeptech #techinnovation #sustainable #australianstartups

🚀 Our Space Hub is fuelling stellar achievements! 🚀 I’m incredibly proud of the remarkable milestones achieved by our National Space Industry Hub over the last 3 years! Companies like Spiral Blue, Crest Robotics, and Aquila are securing significant funding, entering commercial markets, and creating jobs — a testament to the power of the Space Hub’s ecosystem and programs in nurturing innovation and growth. Through our targeted programs, expert mentorship, and collaborative environment, we're supporting entrepreneurs to transform their groundbreaking ideas into thriving businesses. Our residents and program participants have raised tens of millions of dollars in commercial revenue and funding and supported over 150 jobs, demonstrating the tangible impact of our support. Thank you to Investment NSW for supporting Cicada Innovations to deliver the National Space Industry Hub and these great impacts! As we expand our scope to encompass Defence dual-use and Aerospace ventures, I’m excited to continue fuelling the success of Australia's deep tech startups. The future of deep tech is bright, and we're here to help you navigate the journey to success. Ready to launch your aerospace or dual-use venture to new heights? Check out what the National Space Industry Hub has to offer and let's propel your business forward! https://lnkd.in/gpetcJHD #space #innovation #startups #defence #aerospace #NSW #dualuse #deeptech #entrepreneurship #collaboration Tim Parsons Maroun El Khoury Mai Le Alice Cahill Paul Hepplewhite Jessica Saladine Hela Zargouni Dyana Szibbo Nameeta Bhole Scott Russell