Sydney to host global tech experts in visiting entrepreneur program

Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley and global tech experts will come together in June 2021 to share their knowledge and expertise on the latest biotech and quantum technologies that are transforming the world. Dr Foley will speak at the launch event of the City of Sydney’s visiting entrepreneur program on the opportunities offered by science-led technologies.

The visiting entrepreneur program is an annual series of free events where global and local experts discuss, question and share the latest technological breakthroughs and innovations in a specific field. Under the theme of ‘transformative technology’, the program will run from 1–10 June, focusing on the role Sydney plays in supporting growing deep technology sectors. The program will also cover topics including how biotech can power human and planetary health, breaking down biotech, and the coming decade in quantum technology.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the visiting entrepreneur program has helped increase the global standing of Sydney’s flourishing tech start-up sector. Moore added that the 2021 program will give tech innovators the opportunity to participate in a range of events and learn firsthand from experienced global business leaders on launching and growing businesses in these areas.

“The 2021 visiting entrepreneur program will focus on the transformative technologies tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time, from addressing diseases to feeding a growing population and managing environmental impacts,” the Lord Mayor said.

The program features 13 free events, some hosted online and some at tech venues across Sydney, including Cicada Innovations, Tank Stream Labs and UTS. On 1 June, Dr Foley will outline the impact of digital technologies in transforming the world. Joining Dr Foley live from San Francisco is Po Bronson, Managing Director and Partner of leading science accelerator IndieBio.

“Rapid technological change is underway and science and technology is a metric of its power. Quantum technologies will offer us the ability to develop and exploit our science and research outcomes and make advances faster than when using classical computers. I look forward to the opportunity of sharing this exciting vision through the City of Sydney’s visiting entrepreneur program,” said Dr Foley.

Other international entrepreneurs involved in the program include Rebecca Krauthamer, founder and CEO of Quantum Thought in Stanford, California. Krauthamer will take part in an online workshop and two panel events on quantum technology. Nabiha Saklayen, CEO and co-founder of Cellino Biotech in Boston, Massachusetts, will lead a panel discussion on ‘The promise of biotech: innovating to save lives’.

Ilana Wisby, founding CEO of Oxford Quantum Circuits in Oxford, UK, will partake in an online and face-to-face discussion at Cicada Innovations on ‘Quantum leap: start-ups going global’.

The visiting entrepreneur program is a key part of the City of Sydney’s tech start-up action plain, which aims to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation while raising global awareness of Sydney’s tech start-up ecosystem.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Anton Gvozdikov