Sally-Ann Williams , the chief executive officer of Australian university-backed incubator Cicada Innovations, has left the organisation today after six years.
Williams became CEO of Cicada Innovations in July 2019, having previously been an executive program manager with internet firm Google for nearly 13 years.
In a LinkedIn post announcing her departure from Cicada Innovations, Williams said she would continue serving in various board roles, which include the Bank of Australia, the Australian Research Council and the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council.
She also stressed she would remain a champion for deep tech innovation and inclusion in STEM.
“Leading Cicada has been an incredible adventure. Witnessing hundreds of visionary deep tech founders turn groundbreaking science into real-world solutions – from life-saving medtech to game-changing clean energy – has been nothing short of inspiring. We’ve built something special, and the impact of the technologies nurtured here will resonate for years to come.
#This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the extraordinary team at Cicada. Your dedication, passion, and tireless efforts are the engine behind every success story. Thank you for your brilliance, your resilience, and for making every day a joy (even the super challenging ones!).
“And to our incredible community – the founders, mentors, partners, investors, and the broader deep tech ecosystem – thank you for your trust, your collaboration, and your unwavering belief in the power of innovation. It’s been a privilege to work alongside so many brilliant minds.”
Sally-Ann Williams
Cicada Innovations was set up in 2000 in Sydney by the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney.
The incubator now has locations in Sydney’s Eveleigh and Westmead suburbs, and Melbourne’s Parkville suburb. To date, Cicada has supported more than 500 startups that have generated A$6.1 billion in exits.
Cicada operates a specific initiative for space, aerospace, and defence startups, the National Space Industry Hub, and runs the Health Commercialisation Training Program. It also organises Australia’s largest deep tech event, Cicada x Tech23.