The future of quantum technology is being forged in the West of England, as the region today announced the UK’s first transatlantic deal with leading US quantum innovators. Following a record-breaking £280 billion tech investment commitment between the UK and US, this landmark agreement connects the West of England with the Mountain West states of Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, promising to accelerate growth in this cutting-edge field. By aligning research, integrating supply chains, and supporting burgeoning quantum businesses, the ‘Quantum Growth Bridge’ aims to unlock significant investment and create high-skilled jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, solidifying the region’s position at the forefront of the global quantum revolution.
West of England & US Quantum Partnership
A pioneering transatlantic partnership has been established between the West of England and leading US quantum organizations, marking the first agreement of its kind in the UK. Signed by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, the University of Bristol, and Elevate Quantum, the deal aims to accelerate investment and job creation in both regions – the West of England and the Mountain West states of Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Building on the recent UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal committing £280 billion in investment, this ‘Quantum Growth Bridge’ will focus on aligning research with industry needs, integrating supply chains, and supporting scaling quantum businesses. The collaboration leverages existing strengths, such as the University of Bristol’s 150+ quantum researchers and the £225 million Isambard-AI supercomputer, alongside the University’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus and the Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre (QTIC), backed by £35 million in funding. This initiative signifies a major vote of confidence in the West of England’s quantum expertise and its position as a leader in digital and tech job growth.
Key Areas of Transatlantic Collaboration
A burgeoning transatlantic partnership is focusing heavily on quantum technology and digital innovation, evidenced by a landmark agreement between the West of England region of the UK and the Elevate Quantum consortium of the Mountain West US states. This deal, building on a recent £280 billion UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal and a trade agreement with Colorado, aims to foster collaboration in key areas like aligning academic research with industry needs, integrating supply chains, and supporting the growth of quantum businesses. Central to this “Quantum Growth Bridge” is leveraging regional strengths – the West of England’s expertise, exemplified by the University of Bristol’s 150+ quantum researchers and facilities like the Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre, and the US consortium’s established network. Investments like the £225 million Isambard-AI supercomputer, and the upcoming Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, demonstrate a commitment to translating research into commercial applications, promising economic benefits and job growth in both regions.
Boosting Regional Quantum Innovation
A novel transatlantic agreement is poised to boost regional quantum innovation, with the West of England becoming the first UK region to forge direct ties with US quantum leaders from the Mountain West (Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming). Signed by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, the University of Bristol, and Elevate Quantum, this “Quantum Growth Bridge” aims to accelerate investment and job creation by aligning research with industry needs, integrating supply chains, and supporting quantum businesses. Building on a recent £280 billion UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal and a separate trade agreement with Colorado, the partnership leverages existing strengths like the University of Bristol’s 150+ quantum researchers and the £225 million Isambard-AI supercomputer. Crucially, the initiative is underpinned by £35 million in funding for the University of Bristol’s Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre (QTIC) and will be further bolstered by the opening of the 38,000 square metre Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, creating a dedicated space for quantum collaboration and a third incubator within the city’s deep tech ecosystem.
