Vikram Sharma

Recognizing the potential of quantum cybersecurity in the early 2000s, Vikram Sharma sought to commercialize the technology, returning to the Australian National University to work with the Quantum Optics Group in the Department of Physics. QuintessenceLabs emerged from the world-leading research conducted by the group and is today positioned as a global leader in quantum cybersecurity.

 

Vikram’s leadership and innovation have been widely recognized. In 2025, he was awarded the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation as part of the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, one of Australia’s highest honors for scientific achievement. QuintessenceLabs’ capabilities have also received numerous awards including global runner-up from a pool of 2,500+ companies in IBM’s SmartCamp competition, Top 20 Westpac Businesses of Tomorrow, Security Innovation Network’s SINET16 Cyber Security Innovators, CyberTech 100, and recognition as a Global Innovator by the World Economic Forum.

 

Prior to founding QuintessenceLabs, Vikram built and managed successful technology companies. He founded two start-ups in the information technology infrastructure and services space — a consulting company providing IT services to the Federal Government in Australia, and one of India’s first private ISPs. He began his career as a programmer analyst and later worked as a consultant with several leading professional services firms in Australia.

 

Vikram holds a Master of Science in computer science from The Australian National University, a Master of Science in management (Sloan Fellow) from Stanford University, and a doctorate in quantum physics from The Australian National University. He was presented the Pearcey State Award for Entrepreneurship in 2013. In 2014, he was invited by the UK Government to join an expert panel for its flagship Quantum Technology Hubs program. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Sydney Quantum Academy and serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cybersecurity. He is a regular contributor to journals and a frequent speaker at conferences. Vikram’s TED Talk on “How Quantum Physics Can Make Encryption Stronger” has almost 1.3 million views.