Colorado has been selected as an official U.S. Tech Hub for quantum technology by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program. The state was one of 20 winners from 192 applications. Wendy Lea, an entrepreneur who helped organise a private effort called TechHubNow!, expressed excitement at the opportunity. The quantum industry is projected to bring $3 billion in funding to Colorado over the next decade and provide jobs for 30,000 future workers. Companies involved include Maybell Quantum, led by CEO Corban Tillemann-Dick, and Atom Computing, led by CEO Rob Hays.
Colorado Designated as U.S. Tech Hub for Quantum Technology
Colorado has been selected as an official U.S. Tech Hub, a status that comes with some federal funding and the potential for greater recognition as a centre for quantum technology. This designation is part of 20 awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program, which was established as part of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The program aims to invest in American innovation and expand the commercialisation and workforce beyond the two coasts.
The Tech Hub designation was sought after by 192 applicants in 10 key technologies, including at least three others from Colorado. The full list of winners is expected to be released soon. Wendy Lea, an entrepreneur who helped organise a private effort called TechHubNow! to narrow down proposals, expressed her excitement at this opportunity for the state.
Quantum Technology and Advanced Energy in Focus
Quantum technology, which refers to the science of probabilities down to the atom and the tech that can speed up complex computer calculations, was identified early on as a technology that would fit the Tech Hubs program. The group settled on quantum technology and advanced energy, which were endorsed by Gov. Jared Polis and the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
A consortium of private quantum companies, investors, startups and universities, known as Elevate Quantum, was formed. At least three Boulder-area companies are building their own quantum computers in a race to offer more qubits, akin to computer data. The quantum industry is projected to bring $3 billion in funding to Colorado over the next decade and provide jobs for 30,000 future workers.
Quantum Technology’s Role in Economic and National Security
Quantum technology is not just a novel concept; it is pivotal to the economic and national security of the U.S. in the coming century. The Tech Hub designation affirms Colorado’s history of innovation in quantum and helps set the state on a trajectory for global leadership as the industry matures.
Corban Tillemann-Dick, CEO of Maybell Quantum in Denver, became the ad hoc spokesman for quantum. His company builds very cold fridges that get down to near absolute zero — approximately minus 459 Fahrenheit — so that quantum computers can effectively operate.
Quantum Ecosystem in Colorado
The quantum ecosystem is largely in the Boulder and Denver region. It ranges from startups in the sensor space that are deploying technologies to sense methane plumes in fracking sites to companies like Maybell or Vescent or Meadowlark (Optics) or Octave (Photonics), who are building the hardware that these folk need.
There are also some of the largest and most important qubit builders, the ones looking forward to five, 10, 20 years down the road when quantum is the defining technology of the next century. The additional recognition was welcomed by Polis, who said in a statement, “We will take full advantage of this decision to help create jobs, and support businesses and entrepreneurs because Colorado is the best place for tech and innovation.”
Future Prospects and Funding Opportunities
Details of the 20 winners are expected to be released by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Planning grants of up to $500,000 were also available but haven’t been announced either. Those designated a Tech Hub will be able to apply for “implementation” grants of $50 million to $75 million through the Commerce department program.
Sen. John Hickenlooper expressed his excitement at the designation, stating that it has the potential to make Colorado the center of quantum in the next 20 years. The Tech Hub effort is also seen as a way to get cities and regions nationwide to identify their potential ecosystem and start supporting its growth, even if they didn’t get the official designation.
“I am over the moon at this opportunity for our state,” said Wendy Lea, when reached Friday morning after learning that Colorado scored one of the 20. Lea is an entrepreneur who helped organize a private effort called TechHubNow! to narrow down proposals.
“It wasn’t just like, ‘quantum is cool,’” Lea said in an earlier interview. “It turns out, we are in the top three. … We don’t have the most research. But this is not about research. This is about accelerating commercialization and startups. This is an industry-led opportunity.”
“Quantum technology isn’t just a novel concept; it’s pivotal to the economic and national security of the U.S. in the coming century,” Tillemann-Dick wrote in an email Friday after hearing about the award. “Tech Hub designation affirms Colorado’s unrivaled history of innovation in quantum and helps set us on a trajectory for global leadership as the industry matures. …This is a significant milestone on Colorado’s quantum journey, and it’s now up to us to live up to this potential by coming together and building this Hub.”
“Atom Computing chose to build our quantum computers in Colorado and invest $100 million in the state because of the rich and diverse quantum research and development ecosystem, which includes universities, national labs, companies, and talent,” said Rob Hays, Atom Computing’s CEO, in an email. “Federal support to make Colorado a national quantum tech hub will accelerate U.S. leadership in quantum information science and bolster the state and regional economy. We are excited to continue collaborating within this growing quantum ecosystem.”
“We will take full advantage of this decision to help create jobs, and support businesses and entrepreneurs because Colorado is the best place for tech and innovation.” – Gov. Jared Polis
“To be chosen is unbelievably exciting,” Sen. John Hickenlooper said. “And the key here is to recognize that Colorado already is a leader in a lot of these things. … I think these designations, a tech hub, especially when you’re talking about things like quantum … have the potential to make Colorado 20 years from now the center of quantum.”
Summary
Colorado has been selected as a U.S. Tech Hub, focusing on quantum technology, as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs programme. This designation is expected to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology and could bring $3 billion in funding and 30,000 jobs to the state over the next decade.
- Colorado has been selected as an official U.S. Tech Hub, a designation that comes with federal funding and recognition for its potential in quantum technology.
- The designation was awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program, part of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
- Wendy Lea, an entrepreneur who helped organise a private effort called TechHubNow!, expressed excitement at the opportunity for Colorado.
- Quantum technology, which can speed up complex computer calculations, was identified early on as a technology that would fit the Tech Hubs program.
- A consortium called Elevate Quantum was formed, including private quantum companies, investors, startups and universities such as the University of Colorado and Colorado School of Mines.
- Corban Tillemann-Dick, CEO of Maybell Quantum in Denver, became the spokesperson for quantum. His company builds fridges that get down to near absolute zero so that quantum computers can operate effectively.
- Another member of Elevate Quantum is Atom Computing in Boulder, which is working to scale its quantum computer.
- The quantum ecosystem is largely in the Boulder and Denver region and includes startups and companies like Maybell, Vescent, Meadowlark Optics, and Octave Photonics.
- Those designated a Tech Hub will be able to apply for “implementation” grants of $50 million to $75 million through the Commerce department program.