Cicada Innovations

David Burt is Director of Entrepreneurship at UNSW, where he provides support to university affiliates—including alumni, students, and researchers—interested in founding companies. Through philanthropically funded programming, he offers expert guidance to entrepreneurs at no cost.

A molecular biochemist with 15 years in early-stage innovation across renewable energy, behavioral science, and sustainability. Former GM at CSIRO with exits including RockingHorse Finance and ThinkAction.

Over 30 years of experience in technology, innovation and research with a focus on deep tech and biotech. Founder/CEO or exit participant in startups including Vine Tales, Cytopeia and CleanSpace Technologies, board member of multiple deep tech ventures, and former commercialisation adviser and chair of Investible Climate Tech fund's investment committee.

Manages events and community building at Cicada with over 15 years of experience. Previously part of the founding team of Forbes Australia, leading their events.

Leads commercialisation programs across aerospace & defence, climate & energy, food & agriculture, and advanced industry. Has a mechatronics background and commercial experience at firms such as Jacobs and Macquarie Group across manufacturing, infrastructure, ICT, IoT, drones, and space.

Leads training and education programs at the Cicada HealthTech Hub. Holds a PhD in Medicine and has worked as a scientist in Immunology and Precision Oncology.

Produces visual content for the marcomms and programs teams, with a background in media studies and a focus on graphic design and video editing.

Focuses on bridging research and industry to help deep-tech ventures scale. Brings over eight years of experience in molecular diagnostics and laboratory management, and holds a PhD in Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Cardiovascular Disease.

Supports delivery of the NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program with the Health Tech team, bringing a background in international business and management accounting and a focus on early-stage healthtech.

Supports Cicada's Space and Deep Tech programs and startups, with an engineering background and a master's in communication. Has worked in international development across the US, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Senegal, Dubai, and Angola.

A journalism graduate, podcast host, and former design journalist who creates content championing Australia's deep tech community, with prior experience in the not-for-profit sector.

Leads finance and operations across Cicada's incubators and programs. Brings experience as an equity analyst, investor, and startup executive, and has led product and engineering teams.

Develops partnerships and business opportunities supporting Australia's deep tech ecosystem. Previously led business development for CSIRO and managed research and technology investments for New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Manages the Cicada HealthTech Hub, supporting bio and medtech startups and leading the HealthTech Hub team. Holds a PhD from the University of Auckland and has worked across the USA, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, and Australia.

First point of contact at Cicada Innovations, providing concierge support and managing day-to-day incubator operations. Previously worked in sales and support roles across film, television, and entertainment at NBC Universal, Fox, and AFTRS.

Works with the Agriculture, Climate and Industry team to support startups through their Cicada journey, having studied Psychology and Sociology.

First point of contact at the Westmead Health Tech Hub, overseeing day-to-day operations and hosting community events. Brings a background in medical practice administration.

Evi has 27 years of experience in private equity, financial advisory and consulting, and is a founding managing partner and investment committee member of SouthBridge Europe Mezzanine. She has held senior positions at Greek financial institutions and executed many transactions for SMEs and mid-caps.

Joined Seneca in 2017 from the RBS Structured Finance team, where he completed 15 leveraged finance transactions across sectors including leisure/consumer, TMT and manufacturing. Previously spent four years at Deloitte and qualified as a chartered accountant; holds a degree from the University of Manchester.

Joined Seneca in 2013 in its debt advisory business before moving to the Growth Capital Team in 2019. A University of Cambridge law graduate, she previously worked in Washington D.C. on U.S. economic policy and at a Silicon Valley IP litigation firm in risk management.