The program provides startups with
Partner matchmaking
Education on the mechanisms for working with large companies (insurance, contracting, accounting requirements as well as IP considerations and protection)
Quantum Startup foundry
Energizing innovative companies to bring quantum technologies to market.
The Quantum Startup Foundry (QSF) at the University of Maryland brings together the resources needed—physical and virtual—to support entrepreneurs and startups in accelerating quantum technologies’ time to market. QSF will bring entrepreneurs together with industry and government customers, investors, technical mentors, leading-edge research and IP, and quantum-specific infrastructure (equipment, tools, facilities). Located in the Washington, DC metro area, QSF offers the perfect landing and launch spot for quantum companies.
Read about IonQ's LaunchOur startup would not likely have been possible at other universities.
Navigating Quantum
TraQtion Program
Connecting entrepreneurial companies with the best type of capital: paying customers.
TraQtion is a market accelerator program that leverages UMD quantum centers, the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA) and other partnerships to connect companies with large government contractors for technology validation and potential customers looking for quantum and quantum-enabling technologies.
Join the TraQtion programCreating the best TraQtion for any business
By partnering with prime contractors and directly accessing customer needs through regional TechBridge programs, TraQtion:
Supports early-stage companies in working with larger companies and partners
Connects startups with partners and customers for market feedback and, ultimately, confirmation of product market fit and technology readiness for deployment
Solidifies customer requirements and quantum’s unique value proposition to meet those needs
Provides partners with access to a pipeline of promising technology startups
Powering Quantum
Navigating Quantum
Pre-TraQtion Program
For earlier-stage quantum and enabling technology startups who are looking for grant funding opportunities.
The Pre-TraQtion program helps navigate the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for specific topics related to quantum technologies.
The Pre-TraQtion cohort 2022 concluded on Oct 19, 2022 with an internal pitch day. All 10 participating startups pitched their companies to a group of investors.
QSF will be hosting the next cohort in 2023.
Register for 2023 cohortProgram Highlights
- Facilitated customer discovery through a quantum-specific I-Corps program
- Connect with program officers through QSF partners with the goals of understanding their specific wants and needs
- Matchmaking with potential research and support partners (academic and/or corporate)
- Assistance with setting up and writing your SBIR application
- Assistance with setting up back-office support for government grants such as SBIR/STTR’s
- Simplified letter of support request process
- Access quantum-specific market and commercialization assessment assistance
- Leverage other regional quantum ecosystem efforts
- Office space (for an additional fee, can be contingent on award)
- Access to select campus facilities such as 3D printing and the NanoCenter cleanroom (additional fees may apply)
$4 billion in research funding
Every year, eleven federal agencies fund a total of $4 billion in SBIR/STTR. In recent years quantum-related SBIR/STTR funding has grown 19% annually. 60 to 80 quantum-related projects are funded each year, primarily by DoD, NSF, NASA, and DoE.
The Capital of Quantum
The Quantum Startup Foundry is conveniently located adjacent to the University of Maryland campus. This space has a combination of offices, conference rooms, and dry labs. It is also connected to the Mid-Atlantic Crossroads(MAX), which provides secure internet connections suitable for large research projects with high bandwidth needs, such as those in quantum. The Quantum Startup Foundry will eventually move to a new development taking place at the gateway to the Discovery District directly across from the main campus entrance at Campus Drive and Baltimore Avenue.
Advisory board
- Fangyu Cao, George Mason University
- Gloria Jacobovitz, Johns Hopkins University / Applied Physics Lab
- John Joaquin, EY
- Geoffrey King, Connected DMV and Potomac Quantum Innovation Center
- Denis Mandich, CTO | Qrypt
- Denise Ruffner, VP, Chief Business Officer, Atom Computing and Women in Quantum
- Dr. Ilya Safro, University of Delaware
- Alan Salari, Founder, Quaxys
- John Sawyer, Interim Executive Director, Mid Atlantic Quantum Alliance
- George Thomas, Connected DMV and Potomac Quantum Innovation Center
- Sydney J. Ulvick, Lockheed Martin
- Karen Hathaway Viani, The MITRE Corporation
Partners
Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance
Quantum Technology Center
Potomac Quantum Innovation Center
DC I-Corps
ionQ
News & Events
Quantum Investor Summit
October 12-13, 2021
The Quantum Investor Summit brought together investors interested in quantum and created a competitive opportunity for quantum companies from across the world to pitch these investors.
New Home of Quantum
$300M, mixed use development announced in UMD's Discovery District, to become the home of quantum.
Read more on bizjournals.com
Potomac Quantum Innovation Center Joins Forces with Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance
DMV leaders came together to formally launch the Steering Committee of the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center (PQIC) with the goal of accelerating Greater Washington’s path to becoming a regional quantum innovation hub.
Read the press release
IonQ Becomes First Publicly Traded, Pure-Play Quantum Computing Company
IonQ closed business combination with dMY Technology Group III and listed on public market to begin trading on NYSE under ticker “IONQ” on October 1, 2021.
Read more on ionq.com
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About UMD
The University of Maryland (UMD) is widely recognized as one of the top global quantum powerhouses, as well as a leading driver of innovation and entrepreneurship. As the organizers of the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA), UMD has created the largest regional quantum expertise collective in the world.
Quantum at Maryland