April 2025
The Quantum Lead
DARPA Selects Three Elevate Quantum Consortium Members for QBI Test
Atom Computing, Oxford Ionics and Quantinuum were three of just 18 quantum companies across the globe chosen for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) first Quantum Benchmarking Initiative test. The – to build a transformative, fault-tolerant quantum computer in under 10 years.
The first stage in the DARPA competition provides $1 million to each company to detail their concept. If they make it to further rounds, they stand to get $300 million to build it, though not without DARPA “doing whatever we can to show that these companies’ plans won’t work,” said Joe Altepeter, DARPA QBI program manager, in a video. If any make it past the critical reviews and testing, added Altepeter, it’ll be proven that “the U.S. government should get one of these because it’s going to change the world.”
Quantum Advancement
July 25: DARPA to Hold Pitch Day In Aurora for $400K in Potential Funding
DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) will host an invitation-only, in-person Pitch Day on July 25, 2025. It will be held in conjunction with MTO Spark Tank in Aurora, Colo.
MTO Pitch Day is an opportunity for selected participants to pitch revolutionary concepts directly to MTO program managers for potential funding of up to $400,000 for short-term exploratory efforts. Awardees will be announced the same day that they are pitched.
This initiative aims to fast-track transformative ideas that could evolve into future DARPA programs. MTO is looking for revolutionary – not evolutionary – research ideas that align with the following technical areas of interest:
Unconventional Computing: Exploring new paradigms beyond traditional digital computing, with the potential to improve speed, energy efficiency, and processing capabilities
Biologically Inspired Microsystems: Developing electronic microsystems that integrate biomolecules and leverage biological principles for superior sensing and computation capabilities
Commercially Catalyzed Defense Deployment: Leveraging commercial-scale technologies to enhance national security and create a self-sustaining ecosystem for accelerating defense-specific microsystem deployment.
Quantum Impact
Opinion: Time is now for Colorado to lean in to its quantum quest with a sense of urgency
Denver’s Joe Nimmons, Colorado regional president at Huntington Bancshares Inc., shared with the Colorado Sun his thoughts on why the quantum push is something all the Rocky Mountain West should get behind.
“Colorado is set to chart the future of quantum computing, a technology that could revolutionize everything from biopharmaceuticals to artificial intelligence.
Designated as a national quantum technology center, the state is home to four Nobel laureates in quantum science and already boasts more quantum-related jobs than anywhere else in the world. But for all the optimism, Colorado faces stiff competition. States including California, Massachusetts and Illinois are angling to outpace the Centennial State, and a first-mover advantage isn’t a guarantee of continued leadership.
To cement its position, Colorado must lean into its unique strengths and address critical challenges. There are outsized opportunities here, and banks, financial firms and investors would be wise to act as catalysts in this effort.”
World Quantum Day
Celebrate World Quantum Day on April 14!
This year is the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology – celebrating 100 years of quantum mechanics – and Monday, April 14 is World Quantum Day. The global event is an annual celebration promoting public awareness and understanding of quantum science and technology around the world.
To learn more and to find an event in your area, visit the link below.
Quantum World
Webinar: Funding for U.S.-Israel Quantum & Optoelectronics Collaborations
Wednesday, April 23 – 10:00-11:00 a.m. MT
Join Elevate Quantum and the Colorado-Israel Chamber of Commerce for a webinar exploring how innovative companies from Colorado, the United States and Israel can tap into non-dilutive funding opportunities through the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation.
The BIRD Foundation, a joint initiative of the U.S. and Israeli governments, supports partnerships between companies from both countries -from start-ups to established enterprises to drive mutually beneficial innovation and collaboration.
BIRD provides non-dilutive funding covering up to 50% of project development costs, funding up to $1.5M per project and matchmaking support between U.S. and Israeli companies. BIRD takes no equity in the companies.
Upcoming Quantum Events
April 14-16
Quantum.Tech US 2025
Washington, DC
April 17-18
Rocky Mountain Summit & Expo 2025
Westminster, CO
May 14-15
Q-Expo 2025
Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 15-16
Q2B Tokyo 2025
Tokyo, Japan
May 20-22
IQT Nordics 2025
Gothenburg, Sweden
*NEW* Quantum Jobs
Have an event, job posting or achievement to celebrate with the quantum community? Email anjul@elevatequantum.org to submit your information, and we’ll update here in and in our newsletter!
Sign up for the Quantum Digest Newsletter by entering your email at the bottom of the page and read updates at the start of each month!
