Announcing the 2024 Quantum Startup Pitch Competition finalists
Seven companies from around the world to compete for $25,000 grand prize
Quantum World Congress is thrilled to announce the seven finalists for the highly anticipated 2024 Quantum Startup Pitch Competition. This year's competition highlights cutting-edge innovations at the intersection of quantum technologies and adjacent fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, photonics, optics, and cryogenics. The finalists, selected from a pool of exceptional global applicants, will present their groundbreaking solutions at Quantum World Congress 2024 on Monday, September 9th.
"We are thrilled to recognize these outstanding finalists in the 2024 Quantum Startup Pitch Competition. Their innovations are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in quantum technology and its applications, and we’re proud to support their journey at Quantum World Congress. These companies are truly at the forefront of a technological revolution, and we look forward to seeing their continued impact on the global quantum ecosystem,” said George Thomas, President of Connected DMV.
The 2024 finalists are:
Anyon Systems
Media: Alexandra Daoud, info@anyonsys.com
Anyon Systems is a quantum computing company that develops the full hardware stack involved in superconducting quantum computers. Founded in 2014, it was the first Canadian company to develop and commercialize universal quantum computers. Anyon's headquarters are located in Montreal, Quebec and the company also operates an office in Waterloo, Ontario. Anyon conceives and fabricates all of the major components of the quantum computer, including the quantum processor, cryogenic systems and control electronics, as well as the necessary software and firmware to operate and program the quantum computer.
EuQlid Inc
Media: Sanjive Agarwala, sagarwala@euqlid.io
EuQlid provides solutions for reliable and secure manufacturing of electronic systems, using next-generation quantum sensing technology. Our platform leverages quantum defects in diamond, combined with sophisticated AI algorithms, for quantitative mapping of hidden electrical currents deep inside intact components. We build instruments for inline metrology and process control in advanced semiconductor packages and batteries, enhancing yields and decreasing time to market. We address a key gap in emerging and sustained growth markets driven by demand for AI compute, electronics systems miniaturization, electric vehicles, and the transition to renewable energy infrastructure.
Icarus Quantum
Media: Chapman Bean, c.bean@icarusquantum.com
Icarus Quantum is pioneering the quantum hardware that will enable the quantum internet. Our patent-pending technology deterministically creates quantum light (single and entangled photons), the foundational component of the quantum networks that will enable 100% secure communications and distributed quantum computing. Icarus is a spin-out of NIST Boulder, and our unique approach can generate quantum light 70x more efficiently and at rates 1000x faster than competing methods.
Q99
Media: Esteban Pata, epata@muchnik.co
/q99 is an applied R&D company specializing in the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing (QC). Its proprietary technology focuses on advanced data management, transforming businesses into hyper-intelligent organizations (HYPERSMART®). By integrating big data with AI models and the power of quantum computing, /q99 provides solutions that maximize data value and optimize business operations. The company operates in the U.S., Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, with a mission to lead and develop a collaborative AI and Quantum Computing research ecosystem across Latin America, redefining how organizations handle and apply information for high-impact results.
Qruise
Media: Kirsty McGhee, kirsty.mcghee@qruise.com
Qruise creates a unique machine learning software to debug and reverse-engineer physical systems for R&D labs developing new devices. Our mission is to revolutionize physics-centric R&D by providing virtual physicists to work alongside human physicists and engineers in labs developing cutting-edge technology, starting with quantum computers and quantum sensors. Our solution is a two-step process: we implement an automated bring-up framework that performs rapid, in-depth characterization of the quantum device; second, via advanced model learning, we generate an accurate digital twin of the quantum device and its control electronics, resulting in a detailed breakdown of the hardware and control imperfections.
SBQuantum
Media: Steve La Barbera, Steve La Barbera, steve@ftgdigital.com
SBQuantum is developing disruptive quantum sensing for Earth and Space by leveraging the capabilities of quantum diamond magnetometers and cutting-edge algorithms to enable Magnetic Intelligence. On top of collaborations with three leading space agencies, we are also accelerating exploration in the mining industry for the ongoing green energy transition, by identifying deposits of strategic minerals more quickly. SBQuantum is also delivering the future of navigation without boundaries and actively deploying its technology on land, in the sky and in space. We're not just building quantum sensors — we're building the future.
VeriQuantix
Media: Peter Baines, p.baines@veriquantix.com
Over $100 trillion in assets are exposed to cyber threats and data breaches, not to mention the vulnerability of secret government and defense information. The “harvest now, decrypt later” tactic of bad actors anticipating the future availability of cryptographically relevant quantum computers presents a real and present danger. VeriQuantix was founded just a few months ago to develop products based on our patented quantum technology that verifies the trustworthiness of optical fiber links, which is compatible with legacy networks having minimal overhead on data bandwidths. Verification of the physical layer is seen as being equally important as post-quantum cryptography.
These innovative startups will compete for a $25,000 prize and other exciting opportunities. The Pitch Competition, supported by the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center, NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers, and Big Idea CONNECTpreneur, will take place at Quantum World Congress 2024, a premier event bringing together global leaders in quantum science and technology.
“We are extremely proud of our achievements so far and are excited to continue working towards fault-tolerant quantum computers,” said Christian Bassila, President of Anyon Systems.
“We are excited about the significant results we have been able to demonstrate on strategic customer engagements of CMOS chips, packages and boards in mapping hidden electrical currents. Our differentiated results are paving the way to build the next-generation inline metrology solutions, which are essential for reliable and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced semiconductor packages and batteries," said Sanjive Agarwala, CEO of EuQlid.
"The ability to interconnect quantum devices will drastically improve their security, sensing, and processing power. But critical challenges hinder the ability to network quantum devices, namely the lack of an efficient and high-rate source of entangled photons which are the foundational element for data transfer in the Quantum Internet. Our unique technology promises high-rate and high-efficiency entanglement generation, enabling truly scalable quantum networking that will accelerate advantage across all segments of quantum technology,” said Poolad Imany, CEO of Icarus Quantum.
“We firmly believe that the true potential of AI can only be unlocked with the power of quantum computing. Moore’s Law is reaching its limit, and AI, as a deterministic technology, requires an additional boost. Quantum computing breaks the barriers of data limits, transforming AI into a probabilistic and far more powerful tool. This is the path forward, and from Latin America, we are building a company and an ecosystem dedicated to pushing these boundaries and leading this technological revolution,” said Facundo Díaz, CEO of /q99.
“Over the last decade, we have made significant progress in increasing the number of qubits in quantum computers. However, despite these advancements, we continue to face high error rates. Qruise is paving the way for more practical quantum computers by identifying performance bottlenecks. We provide a highly detailed and extremely flexible, physics-based, differentiable digital twin of both quantum and classical components to assist researchers in identifying performance limitations,” said Shai Machnes,CEO of Qruise.
“We have seen significant momentum in the market for our quantum diamond magnetometer technology over the past year. Space agencies, mining companies and even the agricultural industry have begun working with us to identify the value-adds we can provide for a wide range of applications,” said David Roy-Guay, CEO of SBQuantum. “We have over a dozen successful field deployments to date, most of which have been in extreme conditions, and we will send our hardware into space in 2025. It is a privilege for us to showcase what this technology can do at Quantum World Congress 2024.”
“We take the existing and looming global cybersecurity threats very seriously and believe that our technology will play a key part in countering these. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to present it at Quantum World Congress,” said Peter Baines, CEO of VeriQuantix.
The convergence of quantum technologies with AI, cybersecurity, photonics, optics, and cryogenics creates new market opportunities across key sectors and industries. The finalists will showcase how their solutions leverage these synergies to push the boundaries of what's possible in quantum technology and its adjacent fields.
Event Details
Date: Monday, September 9th, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Quantum World Congress 2024, Tysons, Virginia
For more information about Quantum World Congress 2024 and the Pitch Competition, visit www.quantumworldcongress.com
Registration: Media interested in attending Quantum World Congress can register at www.quantumworldcongress.com/media
Quantum World Congress is presented by the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center, an initiative of Connected DMV, in collaboration with the Quantum Economic Development Consortium and the Quantum Industry Coalition. This year’s event will continue to leverage the growing quantum ecosystem in the Greater Washington region, underscoring its proximity to federal government resources and its role as a premier global hub for quantum talent, innovation, and economic development.