Australia's chief scientist and global tech experts will come together next month to share their knowledge and expertise on the latest biotech and quantum technologies that are transforming our world.
Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM 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 explore, 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 to 10 June focusing on the leadership role Sydney plays in supporting growing deep technology sectors.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the visiting entrepreneur program has helped increase the global standing of Sydney's flourishing tech startup sector.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has shown just how susceptible our world is to complex global emergencies and has truly cast science-led solutions into the global spotlight," the Lord Mayor said.
"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.
"Sydney has a high concentration of world-class universities, research labs and startups in emerging tech sectors and can play an important role in the advancement and commercialisation of research to make Sydney globally competitive into the future.
"This year's 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 program features 13 free events - some hosted online and some at tech venues across Sydney, including Cicada Innovations, Tank Stream Labs and UTS.
Dr Cathy Foley's virtual conversation on 1 June will outline the impact of digital technologies in transforming our world.
Joining Dr Foley live from San Francisco is Po Bronson, managing director and partner of the world's 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," Dr Foley said.
"They are expected to bring advances in medical imaging, and in measuring electric, magnetic and gravitational fields, as well as in clean technologies to assist in tackling climate change.
"I look forward to the opportunity of sharing this exciting vision through the City of Sydney's visiting entrepreneur program."
International entrepreneurs involved in the program include:
- Rebecca Krauthamer, Founder and CEO, Quantum Thought (Stanford, California) - also founder and chief product officer of QuSecure, Rebecca will take part in an online workshop and two panel events on quantum technology
- Nabiha Saklayen, CEO and cofounder, Cellino Biotech (Boston, Massachusetts) - will lead a panel discussion on 'The promise of biotech: innovating to save lives'
- Ilana Wisby, founding CEO, Oxford Quantum Circuits (Oxford, UK) - will be part of an online and face-to-face discussion at Cicada Innovations on 'Quantum leap: startups going global' and headline an online event, 'In science we must trust'.
- 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.
The visiting entrepreneur program is a key part of the City of Sydney's tech startup action plan, which aims to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation and raise awareness of Sydney's tech start-up ecosystem globally.
Since its launch in November 2017, the City of Sydney has worked with more than 90 partner organisations on over 70 visiting entrepreneur program events for more than 6,500 members of Sydney's tech startup ecosystem.
