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Watch this Space: Quantum Technology Pioneer Michael J. Biercuk Recognised by Pearcey Foundation

Announcement posted by Pearcey Foundation 07 Nov 2024

Founder and CEO of Q-CTRL Receives 2024 NSW Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The Pearcey Foundation today announced Michael J. Biercuk, CEO and founder of Q-CTRL, as the recipient of the 2024 NSW Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The award was presented at an event in Sydney last night by Mark Englund, the 2022 NSW award recipient.

Professor Michael J. Biercuk is a global science and technology innovator building the greenfield quantum technology industry. He founded Q-CTRL in 2017, now a global business leading the development of quantum infrastructure software, delivering unique technology to accelerate the pathway to the world's first useful quantum computers. Q-CTRL now has 130 employees globally, secured $168 million in funding and is surpassing benchmarks for practical quantum applications.

"Michael was first nominated for this award in 2021, so we are delighted to see his upward trajectory continuing three years later," said Benjamin Chong, partner at Right Click Capital and chair of the NSW Pearcey judging committee.

"He took a risk in founding Q-CTRL, a risky venture in a nascent industry. Michael is also an inspiration to his peers as an advocate for Australia's role in the quantum field and through his educational efforts to make quantum computing accessible to everyone through Q-CTRL's Black Opal interactive online learning platform.

The Pearcey NSW Entrepreneur Award is presented to an outstanding individual who has "taken a risk, made a difference and is an inspiration to others" in the NSW ICT industry. The process draws on nominations from the public and the Pearcey Foundation network. Selection is made in consultation with past award recipients to ensure the continued integrity and quality of this peer-based recognition.

About Michael J. Biercuk

Michael J. Biercuk, CEO and founder of Q-CTRL, is one of the world's leading experts in quantum technology. Michael serves as professor of Quantum Physics and Quantum Technology at the University of Sydney. In 2017, he founded Q-CTRL based on research he led at the university's Quantum Control Lab.

Q-CTRL is dedicated to helping researchers realise the true potential of quantum hardware, from quantum sensing to quantum computing. In quantum computing, the Q-CTRL team is known for its efforts in reducing hardware errors caused by environmental 'noise.' Computational errors are considered a major obstacle in the development of useful quantum computers and sought-after breakthroughs in science and industry.

Q-CTRL is funded by some of the world's leading venture capital firms, including Silicon Valley-based Sierra Ventures and Sequoia Capital, SquarePeg Capital, Data Collective, Horizons Ventures, and Main Sequence Ventures. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and has opened global offices in the U.S., Germany and the U.K.

Michael completed his master's degree and Ph.D. in physics at Harvard University and his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, he held a research fellowship in the Ion Storage Group at NIST Boulder and later served as a technical consultant to DARPA, the premier research funding agency in the U.S., helping steer government investments in quantum information and next-generation computer architectures.

Michael speaks with clarity and authority about science and technology and is adept at making physics accessible to a lay audience. He is a regular contributor to both the technical literature and popular media and is a TEDxSydney and SXSW speaking alumnus.

Michael is also an avid collector of mechanical watches, and has spoken at events including Dubai Watch Week and TEDxSydney on the links between high horology and the most advanced research in quantum technology.

As the NSW Pearcey Award recipient, Michael will represent the territory in the Pearcey National Awards to be held on 19 November 2024 in Brisbane.

For more information about previous NSW Pearcey Entrepreneur Award recipients, go to https://www.pearcey.org.au/awards/state/nsw.

Other State Awards

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About the Pearcey Foundation
The Pearcey Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organisation established in 1998 to raise the profile of the Australian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry and profession. It was created in the memory of one of the greatest pioneers of the Australian ICT industry, Dr Trevor Pearcey. By celebrating the heroes in our industry, past present and future, the Foundation is looking to attract and encourage young Australians into this most exciting of global high technology sectors of our nation.
Web: www.pearcey.org.au

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