Colorado and Illinois are competing to become the US’s top hub for quantum technology, with potential federal support of $1 billion, according to a report in the Denver Post. The CHIPS and Science Act has directed $52 billion to boost US competitiveness in semiconductors and other advanced technologies. The Biden administration has already awarded $35 million to BAE Systems for chip production. Colorado’s Elevate Quantum, a coalition of over 70 companies and institutions, is bidding to bring a quantum tech hub to the region. The state is also a leader in quantum computing, which could revolutionize fields like AI and biotech.
Colorado and Illinois Compete for Quantum Technology Hub Designation
Colorado and Illinois are vying for the title of the nation’s top hub for quantum technology, a designation that could bring with it up to $1 billion in federal support and stimulate significant economic activity. The CHIPS and Science Act, which directs $52 billion in federal funds to enhance U.S. competitiveness in semiconductors and other advanced technologies, is the driving force behind this competition. The Biden administration has already awarded $35 million to BAE Systems to increase chip production at a New Hampshire factory.
The CHIPS Act and Quantum Technology
The CHIPS Act has allocated $10 billion to support the development of up to 10 technology hubs in various fields, including AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, advanced manufacturing, disaster prevention, advanced communications, biotech, cybersecurity/blockchain, advanced energy, and materials. The goal, according to Zachary Yerushalmi, CEO and regional innovation officer for Elevate Quantum, is to create “Silicon Valleys where there aren’t Silicon Valleys today.” Elevate Quantum is a coalition of over 70 companies, educational institutions, federal labs, and other organizations working to establish a quantum tech hub in Colorado.
The Tech Hubs Program and Its Impact
The Economic Development Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce has selected 31 tech hubs from over 400 applications. Colorado submitted two applications, one of which, from Elevate Quantum, was successful. The other, from the Colorado Cleanrange Consortium for a clean energy hub, was not chosen. A competing application from Illinois, the Bloch Tech Hub led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, also advanced, setting the stage for a competition between the two states.
The Potential Economic Impact of Quantum Technology
Quantum technology, particularly quantum computing, has the potential to drive significant economic activity. Estimates suggest that it could generate $3.5 trillion in economic activity on the computing side alone in the coming years. If Colorado can secure the designation as a quantum tech hub, it could help launch more than 50 companies, attract over $2 billion in capital investments to the region, and train more than 30,000 workers in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico, according to Yerushalmi.
The Role of Quantum Technology in Colorado
Quantum technology, when applied to computers, promises processing power and speed exponentially beyond what is currently possible with semiconductors. This technology requires precise measurement and direction of the movement of atoms, a focus of Boulder-based researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado since the 1950s. Massimo Ruzzene, CU Boulder’s vice chancellor for research and innovation, highlighted the development of optical atomic clocks that are three orders more precise than any other atomic clocks, which has significant implications for quantum computing.
The Importance of Diversity in Quantum Technology
Elevate Quantum aims to ensure that 40% of leadership roles in the new companies, as well as the actual jobs, go to individuals from underrepresented groups. This goal is an attempt to avoid the lack of diversity that characterized the growth of California’s tech industry. Eve Lieberman, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, described the funding opportunity as “once-in-a-generation,” and said it would accelerate the development of “life-changing” technologies.
The Future of Quantum Technology in Colorado
Despite the competition from Illinois, Yerushalmi remains confident that Elevate Quantum will ultimately be successful. He emphasized that the Tech Hub dollars are focused on commercializing technologies that are ready to come forward, not on theoretical research. He believes that Colorado’s technology in quantum sensing, lasers, and cryogenics is ready to scale and that the state is “second to none” in terms of high commercial readiness.
“The goal is to create Silicon Valleys where there aren’t Silicon Valleys today,” said Zachary Yerushalmi, chief executive and regional innovation officer for Elevate Quantum.
“There is a big pot of gold at the end,” Yerushalmi said, one that goes far beyond bragging rights and a boatload of federal dollars.
“I truly believe that strategically speaking, going after quantum was a really good move,” said Frannie Matthews, the outgoing president and CEO of the Colorado Technology Association.
“A win for Elevate Quantum will be a win for Colorado, cementing our place as a world leader in quantum technology and creating good paying jobs for Coloradans — many of which do not require an advanced degree,” Eve Lieberman, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, said in an email.
“If conventional computing, which transformed the world in the second half of the last century, is a campfire, then quantum computing is a nuclear reactor,” said Yerushalmi.
“Our clocks will lose 1 second in the projected life of the universe. They capture atoms and measure their energy states precisely,” said Massimo Ruzzene, CU Boulder’s vice chancellor for research and innovation.
“For high commercial readiness stuff, Colorado is second to none,” Yerushalmi said. “They have one-fifth the number of quantum computing workers and our technology is way ahead of Chicago’s.”
“Giving up supremacy to a Silicon Valley is an example of what might happen if there is not an investment to take the science to the next level,” Ruzzene said. “As a university, we are interested in taking our discoveries and making an impact. It is critical.”
Summary
Colorado and Illinois are competing to become the leading hub for quantum technology in the US, with potential federal support of up to $1 billion. The state that wins could significantly influence the future of fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and biotech, and drive substantial economic activity.
- Colorado and Illinois are competing to become the top hub for quantum technology in the U.S., with potential federal support of up to $1 billion.
- The CHIPS and Science Act has directed $52 billion to boost U.S. competitiveness in semiconductors and other advanced technologies.
- The Biden administration has awarded $35 million to BAE Systems to increase chip production for military aircraft.
- The CHIPS Act also authorizes $10 billion to support the development of up to 10 technology hubs in fields including AI, semiconductors, quantum, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity/blockchain.
- Elevate Quantum, a coalition of over 70 companies and institutions, is leading Colorado’s bid to become a quantum tech hub.
- The Economic Development Administration has selected 31 tech hubs from over 400 applications, including Elevate Quantum’s bid.
- The second phase of the process will narrow the field to 5-10 hubs eligible for $40 million to $70 million from the $500 million Tech Hubs program.
- Colorado’s bid faces competition from Illinois’ Bloch Tech Hub, backed by tech giants IBM and Google.
- Quantum technology could drive $3.5 trillion in economic activity in the coming years, according to some estimates.
- Elevate Quantum aims to launch over 50 companies, attract $2 billion in capital investments, and train over 30,000 workers in the region by 2035.
- Colorado already hosts several leading companies in the quantum field, including Atom Computing, Infleqtion, Maybell, and Quantinuum.