| Colorado’s head start in the quantum computing industry received a substantial boost with a $40.5 million grant to the Mountain West Tech Hub from the federal Economic Development Administration. The state has more companies, jobs and innovation in the quantum sector than any other location in the world and, in October 2023, Denver-based Elevate Quantum consortium was designated one of 31 tech hubs across the United States. The Chicago area was the only other tech hub to receive a quantum designation, which opened the way for additional funding to speed the transition from quantum research to the marketplace. Gov. Jared Polis announced July 1 that Elevate Quantum, a collaboration of more than 70 private and public sector organizations, academic institutions and nonprofits across Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming won out over Illinois’ Bloch Tech Hub for the Phase 2 quantum tech hub grant funding. Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum theory to power calculations millions of times faster than the fastest computer today, and could revolutionize research and development in industries from healthcare to cybersecurity and national defense. |
