CB

Clare Birch

Senior Associate at Blackbird

San Francisco, California

Overview 

Clare Birch is a Senior Associate at Blackbird in Sydney, New South Wales, with a background in computational chemistry and a strong focus on investing in early-stage companies in sectors such as Space, Robotics, and DeepTech. With experience as a Scientist in Residence and Investment Associate, Clare has leveraged her leadership skills and expertise in research to contribute to Blackbird's investment decisions and support the growth of innovative startups in various industries. Highlights of Clare's career include serving as a Member of the National Quantum Advisory Committee at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and leading the Chemistry Outreach Team at the University of Sydney, showcasing her commitment to advancing scientific research and educational equity.

Work Experience 

TM

Thinking Machines Lab

  • Member of Programs Staff

    2025 - Current

EQ

Emergence Quantum

  • Chief of Staff

    2024 - 2025

    Emergence Quantum solves the unanticipated challenges for next-generation advanced computing---the kinds that only emerge as systems scale. EQ is a world-class contracting R&D org, in the style of BBN. If you are an advanced or quantum computing company looking to scale, you should definitely get in touch with the team at EQ. I partnered with founders David Reilly and Thomas Ohki on the company's initial strategy and operations.

Do

Department of Industry, Science and Resources

  • Member, National Quantum Advisory Committee

    2022 - 2025

    Invited as one of fifteen "industry leaders" by the Hon Ed Husic, Minister for Science and Industry, and Dr Cathy Foley, Chief Scientist, to advise on Australia's first National Quantum Strategy.

E

Encour

  • Senior Associate

    2024 - 2024

    Encour is a strategic communications agency that emboldens clients to command the narrative.

B

Blackbird

  • Senior Investment Associate and "Scientist in Residence"

    2021 - 2024

    - Worked with Partners to deploy >$100M in rounds from pre-seed to Series E frontier-tech companies, including sourcing and running point (analysis, negotiations, etc) on competitive and complex deals. This was a writing-heavy role. - Created Foundry, a frontier-tech accelerator. The companies that have come out of Foundry have raised from top-tier VCs (including Blackbird), been headhunted by YC, and gone on to specialist accelerators (including Mass Robotics'). I specialised in frontier technologies across the entire portfolio. Verticals included quantum (PsiQuantum, Nomad Atomics, Iceberg Quantum), medical devices (Vexev, Remedy Robotics, Opto), life sciences (Inventia), fusion (OpenStar), space tech (Gilmour), chemistry and photonics (Syenta, Baraja), stuff that leverages solar abundance (SunDrive, Aquila), software (Redactive, stealth), and next-gen media (Soul Æther, VeVe, Sunroom).

Uo

University of Sydney

  • Chemistry Research Assistant and Outreach Team Lead

    2019 - 2021

    Computational chemistry and chemistry education.

  • Student Fellow to the Academic Board and the Faculty of Science and its Board

    2019 - 2019

    Elected by peers to represent undergraduate interests at the University's second-highest governing body, and to represent student interests in science curriculum and student experience.

D

DeadlyScience

  • Programs Coordinator

    2021 - 2021

    Donate to DeadlyScience: https://deadlyscience.org.au

OF

Oxford Falls Grammar School

  • Learning Support Assistant/Teachers'​ Aid

    2017 - 2018

    Coached high school students with specific learning needs.

CO

Cotton On Group

  • Retail Assistant

    2016 - 2017

Moneytax Financial Centre

  • Receptionist

    2015 - 2016

Education 

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