Cicada Innovations signs deal with Indian space-tech incubator mach33.aero

The Sydney-based National Space Industry Hub at deep tech incubator Cicada Innovations is partnering with one of India’s largest aviation, aerospace and space-tech incubators, mach33.aero to support space entrepreneurs across both nations with their global and beyond ambitions.

The Bangalore-based fellow deep tech incubator is India’s first public-private partnership to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in aviation, aerospace, and space-tech.

Both Cicada Innovations and mach33.aero will offer mutual access to physical space, facilities and infrastructure, communities, programs, mentoring, commercialisation training, coaching programs, and the local space community and network.

The Australian government recently tipped in $25 million to help businesses and researchers wanting to tap into India’s burgeoning space industry and there’s another $9.5 million on the table in Australia-India Innovation and Technology Challenge.

Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams said the deal also adds to recent discussions between the Australian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation to establish ground stations in Australia to monitor India’s navigation satellites.

“We know it takes a collaboration between innovators, investors, industry, and policy to bring deep tech and space companies to life,” she said.

“Given the nascent stage of the commercial space sector, space companies must develop strong international relationships – and this is a great example of supporting that. It also creates a unique opportunity to harness the skills and capabilities of both nations to mutually benefit our emerging space economies.”

NSW Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Alister Henskens said: “This collaboration will give NSW access to one of the fastest growing space ecosystems in the world, whilst building skills, sharing resources, and driving collaboration on cutting-edge space technologies.”

Australia’s ties with the Indian sector include a delegation led by Australian Space Agency boss Enrico Palermo, Head of the Bengaluru Space Expo 2022 in early September.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is also supporting Australian space delegates’ participation in the Expo, on top of facilitating a visit program in Bangalore to help facilitate connections with Indian government, industry, and institutions that are seeking joint R&D engagement.