Vikram Sharma

Founder and CEO QuintessenceLabs

With the power of quantum technology, Vikram Sharma and his company QuintessenceLabs are transforming cybersecurity to safeguard our digital lives. Recognising the potential of quantum cybersecurity, Vikram Sharma conducted award-winning research to mature this science at the Australian National University (ANU). He founded and leads the Canberra-headquartered company QuintessenceLabs, which is now at the forefront of the quantum cybersecurity industry. The company's capabilities have received many awards including global runner-up in IBM's SmartCamp competition, Top 20 Westpac Businesses of Tomorrow, Security Innovation Network’s SINET16 Cyber Security Innovators, and most recently, recognised as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum.

Vikram holds a Master of Science in computer science from the ANU, a Master of Science in management (Sloan Fellow) from Stanford University, and a Doctorate in quantum physics from ANU. Vikram is also the recipient of the 2013 Pearcey State Award for Entrepreneurship, serves on several industry boards and is a member of the National Security College Futures Council at the Australian National University.

Prior to QuintessenceLabs, Vikram successfully built several technology companies, including a consultancy firm providing IT services to the Government of Australia, and one of the first private ISPs in India. Vikram’s TED Talk on “How Quantum Physics Can Make Encryption Stronger”, has had over 1.2 million views.