# Frere Byrne

> Frere Byrne is the Sydney-based CEO and co-founder of PlasmaLeap Technologies, which develops electrically driven plasma reactors for local chemical production. Trained as a classical singer with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Melbourne, he later held banking and innovation roles at Commonwealth Bank and became Portfolio Director at x15ventures. He now leads the commercial development of PlasmaLeap’s fertiliser technology, with almost A$30 million in Series A funding announced in March 2026 to support Australian deployment plans, field trials and further development.

- **Role:** CEO & Co-Founder at PlasmaLeap Technologies
- **Organizations:** PlasmaLeap Technologies, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, x15ventures, Sylvia Fisher Fund
- **Education:** Bachelor of Music, University of Melbourne
- **Known for:** Co-founder and CEO of PlasmaLeap Technologies., Leads the company that won three awards at the 2025 THRIVE Global Impact Challenge., Led PlasmaLeap through its March 2026 announcement of almost A$30 million in Series A financing.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Trained as a classical singer and worked in the music industry.
- **—** — Held chief of staff, derivatives dealer, divisional COO and Innovation Labs roles at Commonwealth Bank.
- **—** — Served as Portfolio Director at x15ventures.
- **2023** — As PlasmaLeap CEO, welcomed Australia’s and NSW’s chief scientists to see the company’s ammonia technology on 12 July.
- **2025** — PlasmaLeap won the overall, Clean Energy and Climate Tech, and People’s Choice awards at the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge.
- **2026** — PlasmaLeap announced almost A$30 million in Series A funding on 3 March, following a January close.

## Achievements

- Co-founder and CEO of PlasmaLeap Technologies.
- Leads the company that won three awards at the 2025 THRIVE Global Impact Challenge.
- Led PlasmaLeap through its March 2026 announcement of almost A$30 million in Series A financing.
- Held banking, innovation and venture portfolio leadership roles at Commonwealth Bank and x15ventures.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Almost A$30 million Series A announced on 3 March, led by the Gates Foundation, Investible and Yara Growth Ventures, with plans for fertiliser hubs in NSW and Tasmania.
- **2026-03** — In a statement dated 24 March, Byrne discussed fertiliser price shocks and the role of local production in supply resilience.
- **2026-01** — Appeared on Ash Sweeting’s ASH CLOUD podcast on 22 January to discuss locally produced nitrogen fertiliser.

## Links

- Website: https://plasmaleap.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frere-byrne-04937639/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/frere-byrne
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-11