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Sian Priest
Group Executive Impact & Ecosystems at Cicada Innovations
Sian Priest is the Director of Communications and Community Development at Cicada Innovations, a prominent incubator for deep tech startups in Australia. In her role, she leads efforts to support deep tech startups by connecting them with the broader ecosystem and promoting innovation within the community. Sian has over 13 years of experience in the technology startup sector, having worked as a founder, operator, coach, and community builder in both Australia and the UK. Her daily activities include meeting with startup founders, designing community experiences, and creating educational content for the ecosystem.123
Prior to her current position, Sian has been involved in various capacities within the startup community, contributing to the growth and development of technology ventures. Her expertise lies in fostering connections and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders in the deep tech space.12
Highlights
Last week was a whirlwind of ideas, energy, and belief that deep tech can change the world. Where was I? At Cicada x Tech23 of course 😊
It’s such a privilege to be the custodian of this event, guiding it into a new era of innovation and impact. Leading Cicada x Tech23 has been an incredible ride —one that reaffirms my belief in the power of deep tech.
When you spend months meticulously planning every aspect of an event—from curating the topics to designing the name tags—you find yourself deeply immersed in the process. Then, in the blink of an eye, the event is over, leaving you in a surreal state of reflection. Did that just happen? Now what?
A few reflections from me:
👩👩👦👦 It's the people who make the magic. At the heart of every event are the individuals who bring it to life. The ideas shared, the connections forged, and the energy exchanged—these are the power moments that truly define the experience and vibe. No matter how well-planned or perfectly executed, it’s the people who transform an event from just another gathering into something extraordinary. Shout out to everyone who attended.
💫 New and varied voices make for a much richer experience. Bringing together diverse perspectives isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. It’s how we move beyond the echo chamber and start seeing problems and solutions in new ways. Shout out to our speakers.
🔬 Sweating the small stuff makes the magic happen. It’s easy to overlook the finer details, but they’re the threads that weave the entire event together. When every element, no matter how small, is thoughtfully crafted, it creates an atmosphere where everything just clicks. Those little touches don’t just add to the experience—they elevate it, turning good into unforgettable. Shout out to the Cicada team.
🎲 Progress starts with belief. Before any breakthrough, there’s a moment of belief. Belief that something better is possible, that a new idea is worth pursuing. It’s this belief that drives us forward and keeps us pushing boundaries. Shout out to us all to keep believing in Aussie deep tech.
🌅 The power of passion and vision. We had 23 incredible startups present, each speaking passionately about their visions, dreams, and challenges. Hearing them share their stories was a reminder of why we do what we do. Shout out to those founders—thank you for trusting us with your stories. Your courage and commitment to making a difference is what truly inspires us all.
As we move forward, I encourage everyone to continue the momentum of the day. Check out these groundbreaking companies, connect with them, and support their journeys—whether through introductions, opportunities, or ideas. Together, we can continue to strengthen Australia’s deep tech ecosystem and help these startups turn their visions into reality.
https://lnkd.in/gHC_NS6a
See you tomorrow deep tech community
CxT23
