10 Quantum Computing Groups Known to Collaborate With Startups
Scientific work in quantum computing is growing at an exponential rate in the last year. Business startups responded accordingly, collaborating with more than 170 universities with quantum research groups. Business startups are starting to thrive in the quantum industry as a result.
According to recent funding data, quantum computing startups raised over $2 billion in funding last year. Many startups leave research groups and maintain their relationship with them. In return, they often receive access to state-of-the-art research facilities and experts in the field who can provide guidance and support in developing new quantum technologies. The startup represents the entire quantum computing ecosystem, from quantum computing (hardware and software) to sensing and communications.
Listed below are 10 leading international quantum computing research centers that welcome collaboration with startups. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and for more information, you’ll have to review the fuller details on our quantum market intelligence platform.
- Quantum Computing Institute (IQC), University of Waterloo.
IQC is home to the first quantum key distribution system (QKD), a technique for secure communication that relies on the principles of quantum mechanics.
In 2020, IQC and evolutionQ announced a partnership to develop quantum software solutions for the financial sector. SandboxAQ also benefits from cutting-edge research and talent from IQC. Not coincidentally, evolutionQ plans to integrate and distribute the SandboxAQ Security Suite and services, leveraging the company’s business, product, and technical expertise.
- QuTech, Delft University of Technology.
In 2021, QuTech started collaborating with Quantum Delta NL, a Dutch public-private partnership focused on developing quantum ecosystems in the Netherlands. The two organizations jointly announced a €23.5 million (USD 25.3 million) investment to fund the development of several quantum startups in the region. The investment helps boost startups that are already developing quantum technology and creates new startups in the field.
Last year, QuTech began working with quantum technology startups Delft Circuits, Qblox, Orange Quantum Systems, and QuantWare to create a roadmap outlining what aspects of quantum technology should be standardized, when they should be standardized, and where they should be standardized.
- Bristol Quantum Information Institute, University of Bristol.
University of Bristol researchers are the first to develop a silicon-based quantum chip, which has the potential to be more stable and less error-prone than other types of quantum computers. They also developed a miniature quantum random number generator that can be integrated onto a compact chip, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including secure communications and cryptography.
The university research team ended up collaborating with NuQuantum due to their interest in quantum random number generation. The research team also collaborated with Riverlane (quantum simulation) and PsiQuantum (fault-tolerant quantum computing).
- Oxford Quantum, University of Oxford.
Oxford Quantum enjoys 38 separate research teams and around 200 researchers, making it one of the largest centers of quantum science in the world. In 2021, the University launched QuantrolOx, a startup dedicated to using machine learning to control qubits inside a quantum computer.
The Oxford lab has collaborated with several well-known startups, including QuSecure (quantum cryptography solutions), Quantum Motion (quantum computing hardware), Zapata Computing (quantum simulation and optimization), and Oxford Quantum Circuits (superconducting quantum computing).
- Center for Quantum Devices (QDev), University of Copenhagen.
QDev researchers collaborated with Microsoft Quantum Lab on research on topological engineered superconductors and their potential use in topological quantum computing during QDev’s run of Microsoft Quantum Lab (2018–2021).
Currently, the research center focuses on the electronic and quantum phenomena of hybrid nanostructures made of semiconductors, superconductors and ferromagnetic insulators. Investigating the development of solid-state qubits as potential candidates for core components of future quantum computers requires a significant portion of the effort.
QDev has previously collaborated with Infleqtion (atom-based qubits), IQM (superconducting qubits), and SeeQC (cryogenic electronics for quantum applications).
- Center for Quantum Computing and Communication Technologies (CQC2T), University of New South Wales.
Center researchers were instrumental in the founding of three Australian quantum information technology companies: Silicon Quantum Computing in 2017, QuintessenceLabs in 2007, and Aqacia in 2020. These companies worked closely with the Center, enabling the commercialization of the Center’s research. In 2018, the Center also collaborated with control engineering company Q-CTRL.
Featuring a team of more than 200 researchers at seven Australian universities, CQC²T is one of the world’s most significant research efforts in quantum computing.
CQC²T’s goal is to build quantum processors in silicon, optical, and hybrid platforms by integrating quantum hardware with algorithms, architecture, and software; logical qubit with error correction for universal quantum computer prototype; and scalable errors correcting quantum communications and quantum networks.
- Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI), University of Innsbruck.
IQOQI is developing the next generation of parametric amplifiers for quantum technology. The Institute has contributed significantly to the quantum optics and quantum information fields partly due to the leadership of Dr. Anton Zeilinger. Winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics demonstrates the first quantum teleportation of a light particle at IQOQI. Unsurprisingly, Canadian company Xanadu chose to collaborate with IQOQI to create photonic quantum hardware.
- Swiss Quantum Initiative (formerly University of Basel)
In 2020, the University of Basel’s quantum research team collaborated with a startup called ID Quantique. The partnership resulted in a commercial version of the QRNG, which is now used by companies, governments and research institutes around the world. It appears that the collaborative effort will be led by the new Swiss Quantum Initiative. Previous Swiss quantum research efforts centered around quantum communication protocols and hardware for secure communication and building new types of quantum sensors.
- Joint Quantum Institute (JQI): University of Maryland.
JQI Developed the first “qubits” made from a single electron trapped in a semiconductor, which is now the standard architecture for building quantum computers. He also discovered new forms of quantum matter and demonstrated quantum teleportation.
In 2019, JQI researchers Alexey Gorshkov and Michael Gullans founded IonQ, which specializes in building quantum computers using trapped ions.
The researchers are also working with Zapata Computing to develop a new technique for simulating chemical reactions on a quantum computer.
- Center for Quantum Engineering (CQE), Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT quantum researchers have a history of working closely with IBM’s quantum computing team to design and optimize qubit architectures. The research team has close ties to the MIT startup ecosystem, including the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship.
MIT researchers have a strong history of commercial collaboration. Zapata Computing was founded by several MIT researchers and received funding from the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund. In addition, Infleqtion (formerly ColdQuanta), a technology licensed from MIT to develop cold atomic quantum computing. Currently, the commercial collaborative effort is being led by the MIT Center for Quantum Engineering.
