What to know about CT’s efforts to jumpstart a quantum economy

Since 2023, Connecticut officials, university leaders and local companies have embarked on an ambitious effort: the development of an economic sector focused on quantum computing, a growing field focused on solving problems that current computers struggle with. 

That effort includes the creation of a statewide ecosystem aimed at turning scientific research into commercial products. A first-time collaboration between the University of Connecticut and Yale University fueled the rise of the QuantumCT initiative, which aims to coordinate the state’s growing number of quantum projects.

The push fits into a broader federal initiative being developed around quantum, an emerging industry that could employ thousands of workers and is expected to be worth more than $200 billion by 2040. After winning a federal award from the National Science Foundation this summer, Connecticut is now eligible to receive up to $160 million over the next decade.

“We’re not doing this for the science and research of it,” said Pamir Alpay, the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Connecticut, and a principal investigator on the federal quantum proposal. “We’re doing it to implement a transformational change in the economic development of our region, our state.” 

Here’s what to know about the growing push to develop Connecticut’s quantum economy. 

So what is quantum computing?

Quantum computing is a science that touches a number of related fields, including math and physics. It’s different from traditional or “classical” computing, which relies on a defined system to solve problems. 

Classical computing relies on a set binary of 0s and 1s. Because quantum computing uses data, known as “qubits,” that can exist in multiple states at the same time, scientists believe quantum computers can help accomplish two things: solving problems faster than classical computers, and solving more complicated problems.

That increased processing power could then be used to unlock new advancements in industries like financial services, drug discovery and advanced manufacturing.

What is the quantum ecosystem people are talking about?

In recent decades, quantum discoveries, including several made at Yale, have largely occurred in research labs led by physicists and other scientists. But now the hope is that this work can spread into commercial applications, fueling the creation of not only quantum computers, but other types of quantum-related products.

The push for commercialization is being encouraged by the federal government, with a number of states, including Colorado, Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts, all trying to stake a leadership claim in the effort. 

The National Science Foundation, a federal agency which supports science and engineering efforts across the country, started a competitive program called the Regional Innovation Engines to encourage local economies to launch their own technology and innovation projects. 

To access this money, an NSF quantum engine was proposed in Connecticut, with a number of groups, including UConn, Yale, the state, nonprofits, quasi-public groups like Connecticut Innovations, ConnCORP and others working together to support a new economic ecosystem in the state focused on quantum.

This ecosystem is also being supported by QuantumCT, a public-private partnership between UConn, Yale and DECD that is helping coordinate the effort. The organization was created after Yale and UConn received a planning grant from the NSF in 2023.

How is the state getting involved? 

The state has assisted the quantum effort in a few ways. First and foremost, it is providing money: after giving funding to support the QuantumCT effort as it got started, the state followed up with an additional $10 million award given directly to QuantumCT last September as part of a larger “Innovation Clusters” award received by the city of New Haven. 

Then in November, the state announced that it was putting even more into QuantumCT, investing another $50 million into the organization’s work. And if QuantumCT was a successful winner in the NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines effort (as it was recently), the state pledged an additional $60 million, bringing the state’s total investment to $121 million.

The other key way the state has offered assistance is through its full-throated support and partnership in the quantum initiative, showing federal agencies that the state of Connecticut views quantum as vital to the region’s economic future.

What is the project getting federal money for?

In mid-July, the NSF announced that the QuantumCT project was one of 12 Regional Innovation Engine finalists to receive an award. The engine will receive an initial $15 million in federal support over the next two years. The money will help to support a number of local efforts, including quantum workforce development, continued support for pilot projects, and the development of a quantum incubator and testbed located in New Haven. 

The NSF will closely track the new quantum engine’s progress, releasing more money over the next few years if the project hits specific benchmarks. In total, Connecticut’s quantum engine could receive up to $160 million over 10 years.

What does it all mean for CT residents?

According to those involved with the QuantumCT effort, the push for a quantum ecosystem in the state has the potential to unleash a wave of economic growth, including new quantum startups, entrepreneurship opportunities and plenty of jobs. 

That includes not only quantum-specific positions like researchers and product developers, but also roles in marketing and manufacturing as well as jobs that haven’t been created yet. A growing workforce development effort is launching to build an education pipeline that starts while students are still in school, continuing through college, and expanding into community-facing workforce and job training programs.

Supporters argue that if the ecosystem reaches its full potential, the impact could be felt across Connecticut.