Silicon Catalyst’s Quantum Program Expands to Illinois Park
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Silicon Catalyst and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) have announced a partnership to support quantum startups and foster growth within Illinois. The IQMP will provide crucial infrastructure—including lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and a dedicated cryogenic plant within its National Quantum Facility—for companies participating in Silicon Catalyst’s accelerator program. This collaboration, facilitated by the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, aims to bolster the development and commercialization of breakthrough quantum systems by providing a specialized environment for early-stage enterprises to scale up and validate their technologies. IQMP and Silicon Catalyst Partnership Details The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) and Silicon Catalyst have partnered to support quantum startups, bringing them to Illinois. As part of the agreement, the IQMP will provide essential infrastructure – including lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and resources – for companies participating in Silicon Catalyst’s quantum-focused program. This collaboration aims to accelerate the growth of quantum technologies globally, leveraging the IQMP’s unique facilities designed for quantum technology scale-up and related research and development. A key component of this partnership is access to the IQMP’s National Quantum Facility (NQF). The NQF is an advanced scale-up facility featuring a dedicated cryogenic plant, supporting a diverse ecosystem ranging from early-stage startups—like those in Silicon Catalyst’s program—to established companies and research institutions. It will also house the Illinois-DARPA Quantum Proving Ground, offering a comprehensive environment for quantum innovation and validation. While the IQMP campus is under development, participating companies will initially utilize the “On Ramp” program. This allows companies ultimately destined for the IQMP to immediately engage with the Chicago and Illinois quantum ecosystem, operating from a local innovation facility. Illinois EDC played a key role in facilitating this partnership, recognizing collaboration as vital for driving progress in the emerging field of quantum computing. Infrastructure and Resources for Quantum Startups The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is partnering with Silicon Catalyst to provide crucial infrastructure for quantum startups. Specifically, the IQMP will offer lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and other resources to companies participating in Silicon Catalyst’s accelerator program. This collaboration aims to support the scale-up of quantum technologies and foster related research and development, establishing Illinois as a key location for these emerging industries. A key component of the infrastructure offered is the National Quantum Facility (NQF) at the IQMP. This advanced facility will feature a dedicated cryogenic plant and support a diverse range of quantum enterprises – from early-stage startups like those within Silicon Catalyst, to established companies and research institutions. The NQF will also house the Illinois-DARPA Quantum Proving Ground, further solidifying its role as a hub for quantum innovation and testing. While the IQMP campus is under development, participating companies will initially leverage resources through the “On Ramp” program. This allows companies destined for the IQMP to immediately engage with the Chicago and Illinois quantum ecosystem by operating out of a local innovation facility. This interim solution ensures startups can access vital resources and begin development while the full IQMP infrastructure is completed. Illinois EDC’s Role in Economic Development The Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC) played a key role in facilitating a partnership between the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) and Silicon Catalyst. This collaboration aims to support quantum startups by providing them access to resources and infrastructure. Illinois EDC President and CEO Christy George emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving progress within the nascent quantum computing industry, and anticipates supporting the companies that benefit from this partnership. The partnership will allow companies participating in Silicon Catalyst’s program to access the IQMP’s state-of-the-art National Quantum Facility (NQF), including a dedicated cryogenic plant. This infrastructure is designed to support the scaling up of quantum technology and foster a diverse ecosystem, ranging from early-stage startups to established companies and research institutions. The NQF will also house the Illinois-DARPA Quantum Proving Ground. Since its inception in 2016, Illinois EDC has contributed to the creation of over 21,000 jobs, retained more than 2,900 jobs, and generated nearly $12 billion in investment. As a public-private partnership, the Illinois EDC focuses on attracting new businesses and investment to the state by highlighting Illinois’ diverse economy, infrastructure, and talent pool. Dr. Preeti Chalsani, Illinois EDC Chief Quantum Officer, will present the IQMP’s success story at Q2B Silicon Valley. Overview of Silicon Catalyst and IQMP Silicon Catalyst and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) have partnered to support quantum startups. The IQMP will provide crucial infrastructure – including lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and a dedicated cryogenic plant – for companies participating in Silicon Catalyst’s accelerator program. This collaboration aims to accelerate the growth of quantum technologies by offering startups access to resources needed for building, validating, and commercializing breakthrough quantum systems, strengthening the US’s position in this emerging field. The IQMP is designed as a first-of-its-kind park specifically for quantum technology scale-up and advanced microelectronics research. It will support a full ecosystem encompassing companies, researchers, and suppliers, facilitating the development of technologies like fault-tolerant computers. While the main campus is under development, startups will initially leverage resources at the IQMP’s “On Ramp” program, accessing the Chicago and Illinois quantum ecosystem through a local innovation facility. Silicon Catalyst is unique as the only accelerator focused on the global semiconductor industry, including quantum technologies. Over 1,500 startup companies have engaged with Silicon Catalyst, and over 150 have been admitted into the program. The partnership with the IQMP expands Silicon Catalyst’s reach, providing participating companies access to the IQMP’s National Quantum Facility (NQF) and further bolstering support for quantum innovation globally with partners in multiple countries. The growth of quantum technologies is accelerating globally, and Silicon Catalyst is growing to support the next generation of quantum innovators.James Lougheed, Silicon Catalyst Managing Partner, Strategic Initiatives Source: https://www.illinoisedc.org/news/illinois-quantum-and-microelectronics-park-illinois-edc-and-silicon-catalyst-announce-partnership-to-support-quantum-startup-companies/ Tags: