In this episode of the Commercial Disco host James Riley talks to Cicada Innovations chief executive Sally-Ann Williams about Australia’s deep tech entrepreneurs and the big problems they are focused on solving. Based at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney, Cicada Innovations is the nation’s most successful deep tech accelerator, with a 20-year track record in helping grow highly technical startup companies into commercial successes. Ms Williams joined Cicada a year ago after a 12-year career at Google in Australia, where she was responsible for leading the company’s efforts in entrepreneurship and startup engagement, research collaborations and STEM education & outreach (K-12).

In this episode of the Commercial Disco, James Riley talks to the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology about the rapid response of the manufacturing sector initial phase of the COVID-19 health crisis, and discusses the shape of the economic recovery and the role of the technology sector in that process. This big picture interview covers everything from the role of data sharing in rapid decision-making on policy responses, to the R&D Tax Incentive, the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund to the Accelerating Commercialisation program.

Larry Marshall is the chief executive officer at the CSIRO – the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – Australia’s national research agency. In this podcast, Dr Marshall discusses the role of science and industrial innovation in the post-COVID economic recovery. Ever the optimist, he points to the many wealth creation opportunities for Australia that can be built on the back of Australian expertise. He also details the CSIRO’s role in the health response to the coronavirus, including helping to develop a vaccine, and its collaboration with scientists in China.

Michael Biercuk is Professor of Quantum Physics and Quantum Technology at the University of Sydney, and founder and chief executive officer at quantum startup Q-CTRL. In this episode of the Commercial Disco, James Riley asks Prof Biercuk what the view looks like from his vantage point that sits at the centre of university-based deep-tech research and the demands of driving a VC-funded deep-tech startup. Prof Biercuk has strong views about research, commercialisation strategies and the policies needed to drive successful medium and long-term outcomes for the nation.

In this episode of the Commercial Disco, James Riley talks to Innovation and Science Australia chair Andrew Stevens about research, commercialisation and potential policy responses to drive innovation outcomes in the post-COVID economic environment.

In this episode of the Commercial Disco, host James Riley talks to former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about industry policy and innovation during a time of pandemic. Mr Turnbull talks about his new political autobiography A Bigger Picture, and offers insights into the challenges and opportunities for the post-COVID environment in Australia.

James Riley talks to Data61 CEO Adrian Turner, exploring what's needed to drive better R&D commitment and outcomes across Australian industry, and where we're succeeding today.

James speaks to Bronwyn Le Grice, Managing Director & CEO, ANDHealth, on the state of Australia's health tech and digital health innovation.

James talks to Daniel Petre about the impending election and the lack of focus on innovation discussions in the recent political climate.

This week we speak to Stuart McClure, Founder & CEO of Cylance, about his first sale to McAfee and now his sale of Cylance to Blackberry and how that brings a new alignment to his company's cybersecurity mission.