December 2025
IN THIS EDITION...
Forbes: “US Risks Losing The Quantum Race”
Mesa Quantum, EQ partnership for quantum commercialization
EQ launches cryogenic testing lab
Two consortium members advance in DARPA’s $300M program
Jobs, events, and more!
The Quantum Lead
Forbes: US Risks Losing The Quantum Race Without Urgent Workforce Development
Forbes' Jonathan Reichental, Ph.D. examines the need for the private, public, and academic sectors to step up efforts to address the quantum workforce needs.
If the US fails to act with sufficient momentum, global economic competitors may take a lead position in the rapidly emerging quantum industry. This risk could have severe long-term consequences in every part of the US economy. It’s a clear warning that demands immediate attention.
Elevate Quantum CEO Zachary Yerushalmi has a front seat to the quantum revolution and is now sounding the alarm on the need to urgently identify and prepare thousands of people to join the quantum workforce over the next few years.
As breakthroughs and commercialization opportunities unfold and grow, Yerushalmi is seeing firsthand an unmet demand for the necessary workforce that the industry requires. He sees a big part of his role now to raise awareness at the national level and motivate the development of the right skills to build a dominant US quantum industry. Failing to do that means potentially yielding the lead to another global competitor.
Quantum Workforce
Mesa Quantum, Elevate Quantum Driving Quantum Commercialization Through Shared Infrastructure
“Access to Elevate Quantum’s Commercialization Lab and its world-class equipment stack—especially the Vescent atomic clock—is a game-changer for the kind of precision testing we’re doing at Mesa Quantum”, said Sristy Agrawal, CEO and Founder of Mesa Quantum. “Elevate’ s model fills a critical gap for fast-moving quantum companies like ours, lowering barriers and accelerating the path from idea to deployable technology. We’re excited to deepen our strategic relationship with Elevate Quantum and look forward to taking advantage of everything their Commercialization Lab has to offer. Our team’s access to this lab and the equipment there will be critical as we advance our next generation of quantum timing and sensing solutions.”
By tapping into the suite of specialized equipment going into Elevate Quantum’s shared-use Commercialization Lab—beginning with precision testing on the Vescent Optical Atomic Clock—Mesa Quantum is demonstrating how fast-growing quantum companies can validate, refine, and advance next-generation Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies without the cost or delay of procuring and building out specialized infrastructure in-house. This collaboration shows how Elevate Quantum’s model is lowering barriers, speeding development timelines, and enabling breakthrough companies like Mesa Quantum to turn cutting-edge ideas into deployable technologies that strengthen the region’s leadership in quantum innovation.
Quantum Recap
Elevate Quantum Launches Cryogenic Testing Lab for Accelerate Quantum Commercialization
On November 26, Elevate Quantum announced the launch of its state-of-the-art Cryogenic Testing Lab, providing quantum companies with access to the coldest place on Earth, for testing and developing quantum technologies.
Purpose-built for startups, researchers, and industry partners driving quantum commercialization, the new lab enables quantum hardware and software testing at temperatures as low as 10 millikelvin (mK)—colder than deep space—creating the conditions necessary to maintain and manipulate quantum states with precision and stability.
The facility integrates a suite of industry-leading quantum technologies, including:
• Maybell Quantum Dilution Refrigerator – A cutting-edge cryogenic system capable of cooling to 10 mK, providing the ultra-low temperatures essential for operating superconducting quantum processors.
• Quantum Machines Control Stack – Advanced control and readout electronics that enable researchers to execute and optimize complex quantum experiments with high fidelity and flexibility.
• Conscience Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) – A next-generation quantum chip platform designed for robust performance and scalability in real-world R&D environments.
Quantum Advancement
Atom Computing, Quantinuum Advance in DARPA’s $300M Quantum Program
Boulder-based Atom Computing and Broomfield’s Quantinuum advanced to the second phase of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, or QBI. The program could grant its finalists up to $300 million. It’s meant to find and support companies capable of building a useful, cost-effective quantum computer by 2033.
"We're commercializing systems. We're selling them now, and we will very quickly move from having these systems, which are quite good ... for research, things like that, and moving into commercial, economically valuable applications relatively quickly, certainly more quickly than other quantum companies," Justin Ging, chief product officer of Atom Computing, said.
In Stage B, the companies have to describe a research and development plan for creating a utility-scale quantum computer, list the risks, mitigation steps and necessary prototypes, per DARPA’s description of the project.
If Quantinuum and Atom Computing are successful in QBI’s Stage B, they proceed to the final step: inviting a government verification and validation team to make the call if the company’s utility-scale quantum computer concept can be constructed and functional.
Elevate Quantum is Hiring!
Looking to help lead the Mountain West into the quantum future? Elevate Quantum is hiring across a number of open positions, including Director of Program Management and Head of Technical Sales & Strategic Partnerships.
Learn more about available careers at Elevate Quantum and across the Colorado quantum ecosystem!
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