Ilana Wisby, formerly the founding CEO of Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), has joined Cambridge Innovation Capital

Ilana Wisby, formerly the founding CEO of Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), has joined Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) as an Entrepreneur in Residence following a seven-year tenure that saw OQC deliver the world’s first 32-qubit systems into commercial data centres. Under Dr. Wisby’s leadership, OQC launched Europe’s first Quantum Computing as a Service product and experienced a 55-fold increase in valuation, raising over $100 million in funding. CIC’s Entrepreneurs in Residence program aims to accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough scientific research by pairing founders with experienced executives; Dr. Wisby will focus on translating quantum computing technology into impactful commercial applications. “Cambridge is one of the most exciting deep tech ecosystems in the world, and CIC sits right at its heart,” says Dr. Ilana Wisby. “It’s a real privilege to be joining CIC’s exceptional team and the brilliant founders already on the EIR program.”

OQC Leadership Drives CIC’s Entrepreneur in Residence Program

A 55-fold increase in company valuation under Ilana Wisby’s leadership at Oxford Quantum Circuits demonstrates a remarkable track record of commercial success now being brought to Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC). Her appointment as Entrepreneur in Residence signals CIC’s strategy of leveraging experienced leadership to accelerate the translation of deep tech research into viable businesses; she guided Oxford Quantum Circuits through over $100 million in Series A and Series B funding rounds, establishing a strong foundation for future ventures. CIC’s Entrepreneurs in Residence program is designed to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and market realization, pairing promising intellectual property with seasoned executives; previous EIRs have already secured substantial funding, including Mihriban Tuna of Immutrin with £65 million in Series A funding and Damian Crowther of TRIMTECH Therapeutics, who raised £35 million in seed funding.

Wisby’s experience extends beyond her time at Oxford Quantum Circuits, having advised UK Prime Ministers on quantum computing and served on councils for both the World Economic Forum and the UK Government, indicating a broad understanding of the technological and political landscape. She will focus on identifying and developing real-world applications for quantum computing within CIC’s deep tech team, aiming to create commercially impactful solutions. Ilana Wisby is now Entrepreneur in Residence at Cambridge Innovation Capital.

The program’s strategy centers on matching nascent intellectual property and founders with seasoned executives possessing a history of building successful businesses, a model now bolstered by the addition of Dr. Ilana Wisby, who previously served as founding CEO of Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC). Wisby’s appointment signals a focused effort to translate advanced technologies, specifically in quantum computing, into impactful commercial realities. OQC delivered 32-qubit systems into commercial data centres, marking a world first in quantum computing hardware deployment and establishing a significant lead for a European firm. The current cohort of EIRs includes individuals with diverse backgrounds in deep tech and life sciences, such as Sally Epstein, former Chief Innovation Officer at Cambridge Consultants, and Ignas Budvytis, an Assistant Professor of Computer Vision and Robotics at the University of Cambridge, demonstrating the breadth of expertise CIC is assembling. Wisby’s experience, coupled with CIC’s network, aims to transform fundamental science into globally impactful products and companies.