Techvisa x Cicada: Scaling Deep Tech Teams to Drive Australia's Innovation Future

Techvisa and Cicada Innovations invite you to an evening to connect with the deep tech ecosystem and discover how we can build and scale the teams that will position Australia as a global leader in innovation.

The future of deep tech depends not just on innovation, but on overcoming the sector’s key challenges. Australia’s deep tech industry is facing a shortage of locally available skills and the complexities of attracting international talent. With the government’s $22.7 billion investment in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and strengthening the skills pipeline, the moment to tackle these gaps and scale world-class talent is now.

But how do we build and scale the teams that will solve the world’s biggest challenges, and how can Australia foster the talent and strategies needed to support the deep tech ecosystem?

To unpack these questions, we’ve brought together a panel of experts and ecosystem leaders to share their insights, journeys, and strategies for identifying top talent, upskilling locally, and attracting the best global talent to meet the sector’s demands.

Led by Sian Priest, Cicada Innovations' Group Executive Impact & Ecosystems, the conversation will feature: 

• Marin Peplinski, Chief People Officer at Morse Micro
• Sorcha Joyce, Head of Talent Solutions at Solve by Talent
• Sam Bricknell, Founder of Techvisa and Migration Agent 
• Tim Atkins, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Osara Health 

Whether you're building a team, transitioning into the sector, or influencing policy, this is your opportunity to forge meaningful relationships with others driving change.

Meet the speakers

Marin Peplinski, Chief People Officer at Morse Micro

Marin has spent her career working at the intersection of people and technology. Her passion and experience lie in building and scaling successful deep technology companies.

With a Masters of Organizational Psychology, Marin builds high-performing teams. Marin led Morse Micro’s growth from a small start-up in an incubation hub to an internationally recognised semiconductor player with one of the biggest Wi-Fi chip teams in the world. Marin is the champion of Morse Micro’s inclusive and positive culture.

Sorcha Joyce, Head of Talent Solutions at Solve by Talent

Sorcha specialises in designing and delivering workplace solutions that support the growth of start-ups and scaling tech companies. She partners with Founder, People and talent leaders to develop tailored strategies for employee engagement, talent attraction, and building scalable talent functions across high-growth sectors.

Her team has successfully supported leading innovators such as Morse Micro, Fleetspace, Sundrive Solar, and VOW, helping them scale by enhancing their people strategies and executing international search initiatives.

Sorcha’s deep industry insight and strategic approach empower tech companies to build agile, high-performing teams and adapt their workplace solutions to meet evolving business demands.

When she’s not scaling teams, Sorcha’s always looking for the next challenge whether its competing in triathlons, training for a marathon or taking part in Hyrox events. Always up for a challenge!

Sam Bricknell, Founder of Techvisa and Migration Agent 

With over a decade of experience facilitating the integration of international talent into the Australian workforce, Sam has honed his expertise in helping businesses navigate the intricate landscape of Australian immigration law. He has cultivated strong connections with Australia’s leading Venture Capital firms, providing support for their portfolio companies. As an advisor to the Tech Council of Australia, Sam actively contributes in shaping immigration policies to ensure effective implementation of visa programs tailored to the tech industry's evolving needs. 

Sam and the team at Techvisa have  extensive experience working with Deep Tech companies, examples include but are  not limited to Morse Micro, Propeller Aero, Edrolo, Lumachain, Gilmour Space and Upguard. His knowledge of immigration policies and visa options will be crucial in  discussing the challenges and solutions for attracting global talent.

Tim Atkins, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Osara Health 

Tim Atkins is the COO and co-founder of Osara Health. Previously a corporate lawyer, Tim transitioned into health technology in 2019 and has since helped scale Osara Health to where it is today - supporting 1000s of patients per year, across 50+ enterprise customers in the ANZ and US markets.

About Techvisa

Techvisa are the go-to experts in immigration solutions tailored specifically for the tech-innovation realm, offering unparalleled insights and support for visa sponsorship to help you tap into global talent and expand your team. What sets them apart is their deep understanding of the tech landscape, not just in Australia but also in key markets like Singapore, the UK, and the USA.

Their expertise in navigating the complexities of visa sponsorship and their track record of success make them the top choice for tech companies looking to grow their teams with international talent.

Their team is dedicated to providing strategic counsel and hands-on support to help you navigate the immigration process and scale your team effectively. Whether you're a startup or an established tech giant, Techvisa is your trusted partner for all your immigration needs.

About Solve by Talent 

Solve by Talent specialises in outsourced and embedded recruitment and workforce management solutions.

They transform how businesses approach talent management. Whether you’re a startup gearing up for growth or an enterprise leader looking to optimise or innovate, Solve partner with you to solve your people challenges and build world-class talent functions. They exist to drive success in your business through the design and implementation of progressive solutions across people, process, tech, and brand to help you attract, engage, and retain talent.

Solve’s expertise has seen them partner with some of Australia’s leading deep tech scale ups such as Sundrive Solar, Fleetspace Technology, Morse Micro and Vow.