NSW Deep Tech Commercialisation Training Program
The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (OSCE) delivers a number of early-stage commercialisation grants to grow the commercialisation of deep tech innovation in NSW. However, many technically-sound concepts fail to successfully obtain funding due to a lack of commercialisation knowledge and skills (for example, market analysis, intellectual property, regulatory requirements, competitor analysis, supply chain issues, customer engagement).
The NSW Deep Tech Commercialisation Training Program (DTCTP) is designed and delivered by Cicada Innovations. It aims to increase commercialisation knowledge and skills of researchers and start-ups, and in doing so, increase the pipeline of quality applications to NSW government commercialisation grant programs, bridge the funding ‘valley of death’ and remain in NSW while they grow and scale. More information about the DTCTP can be found here.
The DTCTP is delivered across three channels: Foundations, Elevate and Fast-Start.
Foundations
Foundations is an online training program providing participants with the key elements of building a successful deep tech business. Each lesson will be taught by an industry leader and features case studies, useful resources, and activities that participants can apply to their own business. By completing Foundations, participants will be able to:
- Refine their go-to-market strategy
- Become 'grant ready'
- Articulate their unique value proposition and position in market
- Improve their customer and stakeholder engagement techniques
Access Foundations for free here.
Elevate
Elevate is an invitation-only program building on the Foundations online training program. It is open to applicants to OCSE’s commercialisation funding programs who have an innovative idea with potential for commercialisation.
Participants will be involved in a two-day workshop that will help them to take their business to the next level on the commercialisation journey. By completing Elevate, participants will be able to:
- Understand how to identify unmet needs
- Understand the pathway to market
- Understand the business model canvas and how to generate a business model
- Articulate their value proposition and how their technology fills a gap in the market
- Articulate whether they have a solution for an unmet need
- Understand how to validate their idea
- Carry out effective customer discovery
- Identify where their technology fits into the market
- Understand their competitive landscape
Fast-Start
Fast-Start is an intensive six-month program with 1:1 support from Cicada Innovations for two high-potential companies invited to join the program. Fast-Start participants will receive:
- An accountability partner to help set and meet milestones, with weekly coaching sessions to provide advice and facilitate connections
- Access to a pool of mentors (high-value industry connections) with wide-ranging technical and commercial expertise
- Assistance to access grants and/or seed funding from investors and VCs
- A dedicated desk space at Cicada Innovations (if in person), meeting rooms and onsite business services and access to secure wet/dry labs and design/build/test facilities with a Prototyping Expert-in-Residence
Contact Sarah Parker at OCSE for more information.