Commercialisation of quantum technologies – feasibility studies

Key Features

Businesses can apply for a share of £13 million to develop quantum technology prototypes or establish technical or market feasibility

Programme:     Innovate UK

Award:     Up to £350,000

Opens: 30th Jan 2017

Closes: 5th Apr 2017

! This scheme is now closed

The aim of this competition is to encourage collaborative feasibility studies that will improve understanding of the technical or market feasibility of a product or service.

The scope of this competition allows for both technical and non-technical projects. This includes projects that focus on understanding the business or market opportunity and challenges.

Technical projects

These projects will establish feasibility for devices that exploit one or more of the following phenomena:

  • entanglement
  • superposition

The scope also allows for component technologies. These will be important in the construction of future quantum systems or subsystems. They include but are not limited to:

  • vacuum systems
  • stabilised laser systems
  • integrated systems, including
  • integrated lasers and vacuums
  • algorithms, control and interpretation software
  • single photon light sources and detectors

Non-technical projects

These projects will involve work to understand:

  • future markets
  • applications or business models
  • the route to future commercialisation
  • adoption of quantum technologies
  • the effect that quantum technologies might have on existing businesses or business models

This may include projects that involve one or more of the following activities:

  • knowledge exchange, learning and understanding of quantum technologies and their potential applications
  • capture of user, performance or testing specifications (either to the applicant or customer organisation)
  • internal ‘roadmapping’ activities

To allow for all levels of interest Innovate UK are running a collaborative research and development (CR&D) competition in parallel with this competition. This will allow for the development of quantum technologies that are closer to market.

Funding and project details

  • projects to last between 6 months and 1 year
  • projects are expected to range in size from total project costs of £50,000 to £500,000
  • A business or RTO must lead the project and be collaborative
  • your project must focus on technical feasibility
  • receive up to 70% of your eligible project costs if you are an SME