This week, Quantum Australia announced Petra Andrén has been appointed as its new CEO. Established in May 2024 with an AUD 18.4 million grant from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, as well as financial backing from university and industry partners, Quantum Australia aims to grow the quantum industry in the country through numerous programs of work, including their New Ventures initiative for quantum startups and their yearly Quantum Australia Conference.
Andrén was formerly the CEO of Cicada Innovations, a deep tech incubator recognised by the International Business Innovation Association as the best incubator in the world under her leadership in 2018. She comes to Quantum Australia bringing her vast international experience in ecosystem building, venture capital investment and research commercialisation, qualities that will be essential to drive growth in Australia’s burgeoning quantum technology industry. In Quantum Australia’s press release, Andrén notes that:
“Australia has a unique window of opportunity to stake its claim as a global leader”.
Andrén’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the quantum technology sector in Australia. With Australian quantum technology firms attracting 3.6% of all global venture capital in the quantum field between 2017 and 2021, and forecasts predicting that revenue from quantum computing, communications and sensing could be worth AUD 5.9 billion by 2045, creating nearly 20,000 jobs, the role of Andrén and Quantum Australia in fostering and developing the nation’s web of start up firms into a thriving quantum ecosystem will be essential to ensure Australia delivers on its quantum potential.
Dr Manuel Schmidt, a quantum IP specialist and partner at Australian IP law firm FB Rice comments that:
“Australia has been a leader in quantum research for decades. More recently, our quantum IP team has seen significant growth of generated IP and filed patent applications from quantum companies in addition to the more traditional university research output. While the technological basis often lies in Australia, our clients are globally connected with their US and European partners. This dynamic of commercial growth and international partnerships requires strong leadership in deep tech commercialisation, and I think Petra is the perfect fit to take on this challenge. I am excited to see the boost this will give Australian quantum tech for commercial success”.
Komal Pahwa, Senior IP Counsel at Australian quantum tech startup Silicon Quantum Computing led by Prof. Michelle Simmons, probably the most famous scientist in Australia today, has commented in an interview with Mewburn Ellis that:
“The people I work with are creating something that will change the world. We are going to make history.”
Clearly, Australia is a rising star in quantum technology development.
