Australia's quantum computing startups race toward goals after yearslong effort - Nikkei Asia

Technology has government support, deep talent pool Australian startup Q-CTRL is developing a quantum navigation system. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi) SYDNEY/TOKYO -- Quantum computing startups in Australia are moving closer to making the technology practical as the nation aims to jump to the forefront of the field by 2030. Q-CTRL, a startup founded in 2017 by CEO Michael Biercuk, is developing a quantum navigation system, using quantum sensing technology while mapping it to the Earth's magnetic fields. Quantum sensing makes use of ultra-sensitive sensors to detect weak magnetic and gravitational signals generated by the Earth. By comparing the signals with maps, it is possible to determine a location with extreme precision. Q-CTRL'S Quantum-based navigation systems, Ironstone Opal, which is drawing attention from the defense sector, can make it possible for planes and ships to navigate without GPS. "The demand for quantum navigation is very high right now, as opposed to quantum computing, which is a longer-term plan," Biercuk said. "So as we go forward, Ironstone will be a pillar of our business." Q-CTRL envisions selling the technology to aircraft, ship and underwater drone makers. In 2026, the startup looks to distribute evaluation kits that allow users to experience the technology. The early preproduction device allows customers access in order to integrate and test on the platforms that they use. "Since we announced in April, we've had approximately 325 to 350 inbound requests for purchase, and many of these customers have asked to purchase 100 or 1,000 units," Biercuk told Nikkei Asia. The first product launch, which will be for drones, will come two or three years later, according to the company.

Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), a startup with roots in the University of New South Wales, has a goal of launching commercial scale quantum computers in 2033. SQC makes quantum chips. It is already providing some cloud-based quantum computing functions to Australian telecommunication group Telstra and the country's largest lender, Commonwealth Bank. SQC CEO Michelle Simmons said that potential applications of her products include corrosion-resistant materials for aviation and shipping, advanced fertilizer production, and drug design through protein-folding simulations-areas where classical computing falls short. Beyond this, SQC is delivering analog quantum devices for AI acceleration. These systems have already demonstrated success at telecommunications company Telstra, cutting machine-learning training times from weeks to days, which shows it could reduce energy demands in data centers, according to the company. Additional use cases include time-series forecasting, anomaly detection, and fraud prevention, with implications for banking, telecommunications, and even earthquake prediction for countries like Japan. Simmons told Nikkei Asia that quantum technology as "catalysts" for efficiency and innovation across trillion-dollar industries, from chemicals to energy networks. U.S. startup PsiQuantum plans to start up a massive quantum computing facility in Brisbane in 2027. PsiQuantum uses photonic qubits -- a technology in which particles of light encode information -- which the company says is a huge advantage at scale. Australia has been promoting quantum computing since the early 2000s. The original aim was to use quantum computers to boost productivity in mining, agriculture and other industries. In 2023, the Australian government released the National Quantum Strategy, setting a goal of becoming a world leader in the field by 2030. Up to one billion Australian dollars ($660 million) is earmarked for investment in critical technologies. Australia has had well-funded research into quantum technology for more than two decades, even before quantum computing became a buzzword, said Jennifer Wong Leung, a senior analyst and data scientist with the Cyber, Technology and Security Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a think tank. Australia is also developing specialized talent in the field. Over the past 20 years, the country has produced 2,500 doctorate-level researchers in quantum technology. "Queensland has been home to the world's brightest in quantum technologies. We developed a foundation which has underpinned many world-leading quantum efforts," said professor Geoff Pryde, PsiQuantum Australia's chief technical director. Support from the U.S. is also a major factor in Australia's growth in quantum computing. The AUKUS security framework, formed by Australia, the U.K. and the U.S., positions quantum technology as part of its second pillar of cooperation in developing advanced capabilities. Q-CTRL is involved in those activities. The U.S.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has invested in SQC, among other targets. Australia ranks sixth in the world in universities offering quantum research programs, according to McKinsey & Co. The country also ranks highly in the volume of quantum-related papers published. More funding is crucial to becoming more competitive in quantum tech. Australia's government spending in quantum research is dwarfed by the U.S. and China. "Getting each quantum computing company to be able to get a contract to build one of these is kind of how they're going to be able to survive," ASPI's Leung said.

In Silicon Valley in the U.S., industry, government, academia and venture capital work hand-in-hand to support tech companies with private funding.

In Silicon Valley, "there is this general idea that I can be a billionaire, too," Q-CTRL's Biercuk said. I can start a company, my friends can start a company, I can join that we can all win. It's a huge thing together. And Australia just hasn't had the same history of success, and so the personal familiarity doesn't exist.