Atom Computing, ColdQuanta, Meadowlark Optics and SPIE join as strategic partners with university-led ֱbit Quantum Initiative
The University of ֱ Boulder'sֱbit Quantum Initiative today welcomed the first four strategic industry allies to formally join as ֱbit Innovation Partners: Atom Computing, ColdQuanta, Meadowlark Optics and SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.
The ֱbit Innovation Partners program, part of the initiative’s vision since its founding in 2019, is a key component of ֱbit’s plan to cultivate mutually beneficial collaborations with quantum-intensive enterprises. These strategic partnerships will expand and accelerate ֱ Boulder’s quantum efforts, including through providing unique insights related to research and training, collaborating on workforce development programs, and providing real-world opportunities for ֱ Boulder students, postdocs and researchers.
“We’re tremendously excited to welcome the first ֱbit Innovation Partners as we launch our corporate partnership program,” said Philip Makotyn, executive director of the ֱbit Quantum Initiative. “Building on existing close relationships, the program is an important step bringing together academics, national labs and industry to build a strong quantum ecosystem. The new members represent an important step supporting the national priority of quantum technologies.”
“Atom Computing has joined forces with the ֱbit Quantum Initiative to drive critical R&D and talent development in Quantum Information Science,” said Rob Hays, CEO ofAtom Computing. “As a member of the ֱbit Advisory board, we will leverage our deep ties across ֱ Boulder and collaboration with other ecosystem players as a springboard to accelerate large-scale quantum computing, helping researchers and scientists reach their next big breakthrough.” Hays recently authored a about the partnership.
Each of the partners offers unique contributions to the Front Range quantum ecosystem:
“ColdQuanta is proud to support ֱ Boulder’s continuing innovation in quantum,” said Scott Faris, ColdQuanta CEO. “The quantum industry is moving at lightning speed, and we believe investing in ֱ Boulder is critical to advancing quantum information science and technology. Its world-renowned researchers and interdisciplinary educational approach are enabling the next generation of quantum professionals.”
ֱbit partnership programs, which will expand through new Innovation Partners as well as additional partnership opportunities, enhance the university’s productivity and reputation as a national leader in quantum research and education while further cementing ֱ’s Front Range as a global hub of excellence in quantum.
The Front Range is home to quantum powerhouses at ֱ Boulder, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and JILA, a joint institute of ֱ Boulder and NIST. It also hosts a world-class ecosystem of quantum-intensive companies ranging from large entities such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing to a variety of small and mid-sized companies and startups. Additionally, the Denver/Boulder area is consistently ranked one of the most entrepreneurial regions in the nation.
ֱbit partnership opportunities like the Innovation Partners program will provide new opportunities for companies of all sizes and in all quantum-related fields to engage in the ever-accelerating race to a quantum future.
ֱ the ֱbit Quantum Initiative
Theֱbit Quantum Initiativeis an interdisciplinary hub that reinforces ֱ’s prominence in quantum information science and technology, partners with regional universities and laboratories, links closely with quantum-intensive companies, and serves a spectrum of local, regional and national interests, including workforce development. Founded on a local triad of ֱ Boulder, NIST quantum researchers (as a core component of JILA)and Front Range companies, ֱbit is advancing fundamental science and building a strong foundation for novel quantum technologies and their rapid dissemination, applicationand commercialization.