Cicada x Tech23: Meet ULUU Australia's radical innovators

Join us from anywhere for this exclusive online event to celebrate Australia's radical innovators and hear from ULUU, two visionary founders revolutionising the fight against plastic pollution.

ULUU has been making waves since 2022, driving positive change for a greener future. Founded by Julia Reisser and Michael Kingsbury, two of Australia's radical innovators, the company has propelled its seaweed-based alternative to plastics onto the global stage through an incredible journey including the launch of their first commercial product – a collaboration with iconic international surf brand, Quiksilver.

Be part of the conversation shaping Australia's future alongside ULUU'S founders and Sally-Ann Williams as they dive into ULUU's journey of building a global deep tech company that is leading the way towards a plastic-free world.

Dive into the future of deep tech and discover how you can contribute to building Australia as a deep tech nation. Join us to glimpse a future where deep tech isn't just a concept, but a tangible, life-changing reality.

This event is one of the launch events of Cicada x Tech23 2024, Australia's biggest deep tech festival, set to take place on 7th August in Sydney.

Join us online to hear from the brightest and boldest of Australia's deep tech community and join the CxT23 village. 

About the radical innovators

Julia Reisser, co-founder and co-CEO

As an ecologist researching sea turtles in her native Brazil, Uluu co-founder Dr Julia Reisser saw that they were eating more plastic than anything else. She was driven to do a PhD in ocean plastics and was one of the earliest members of The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch not-for-profit developing technology to remove plastic from the seas. Julia later studied plastic recycling.

But as time went on, she felt she was tackling the symptoms, not the source of the plastic pollution problem.

Julia looked at the market and saw that—unlike renewable energy—there were no persuasive alternatives to plastics made from fossil fuels. And the idea for Uluu was born.

In 2020, Julia teamed up with co-founder Michael Kingsbury, a former business executive and M&A lawyer. Together they turned the blueprint into a business they were confident would work and they could dedicate their lives to.

Michael Kingsbury, co-founder and co-CEO

Michael Kingsbury, Co-founder & Co-CEO. Previously a Principal at BHP, helping guide its multi-billion dollar automation growth strategy and R&D portfolio. Michael also worked as an M&A lawyer with a top-tier firm, Corrs Chambers Westgarth. There, Michael advised on several high-profile M&A and fundraising transactions (including in aquaculture).

About Cicada x Tech23

Cicada x Tech23 is celebration of radical innovation and bold ideas in the world of deep tech, showcasing 23 of the nation's most promising ventures, and connects visionary founders to a network of investors, leaders and big thinkers.

• Register your interest in the main event here 
• Explore more about the festival on our website 
• Delve into the insights into Australian deep tech in our 2023 Report.