The state of New Mexico has launched the New Mexico Quantum Technologies Award Pilot Program, a competitive grant program aimed at supporting early-stage quantum technology companies in the region. EDD Secretary-Designate Rob Black announced the program, which will provide non-dilutive funds to companies working on quantum technologies located in or relocating to New Mexico.
This initiative comes as Albuquerque is being touted as a potential hub for quantum technology, with groundbreaking research being conducted at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico’s nation-leading quantum physics program. The state has also partnered with Colorado and the Elevate Quantum consortium, including prominent institutions, to advance the development of quantum information technologies in the Mountain West region.
According to Zachary Yerushalmi, CEO of Elevate Quantum, startups are crucial to the growth of this cutting-edge industry, and this program will provide critical support for pioneering companies in the field.
The program is a testament to the state’s commitment to investing in partnerships that can grow the quantum technology industry. With renowned institutions such as Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico‘s nation-leading quantum physics program, New Mexico is poised to lead the nation in developing this critical technology. The state’s Secretary-Designate, Rob Black, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that “through EDD’s Office of Strategy, Science, and Technology, the state is investing in partnerships to grow the quantum technology industry.”
New Mexico’s strengths in quantum research are undeniable. The region boasts a high concentration of Nobel Prizes, quantum-focused organizations, and jobs in quantum technologies, making it an attractive location for companies operating in this field. The state’s partnership with Colorado and the Elevate Quantum consortium has already borne fruit, with their joint proposal to the EDA Tech Hubs program winning designation and implementation funding. This success demonstrates the region’s potential to become a significant hub for the quantum industry.
The New Mexico Quantum Moonshot, a proposal to the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program, further underscores the state’s commitment to advancing dual-use quantum technologies that address national security and civilian needs in clean energy, materials science, and communications. Elevate Quantum CEO and Regional Innovation Officer Zachary Yerushalmi emphasized the transformative potential of quantum technologies, stating that they “will be as transformative over the next 50 years as semiconductors were over the past half-century.”
The New Mexico Quantum Technologies Award Pilot Program is designed to provide critical support to startups operating in the quantum technology field. These early-stage companies are the lifeblood of any entrepreneurial ecosystem, and their success is crucial for developing a thriving quantum industry. The program’s focus on supporting startups that demonstrate potential and plan to develop and grow business in the quantum technology field will help ensure that these companies can start and scale their businesses in New Mexico.
Applications for the NMQTA Pilot Program are now open and will be accepted on a rolling basis through May 30, 2025. Eligible proposals must demonstrate the potential and plan to develop and grow business in the quantum technology field, including technologies that rely on quantum superposition or entanglement or enable those technologies. Up to five awards of $100,000 each will be made to successful applicants.
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