Rob Black, EDD Secretary Designate
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) launched New Mexico Quantum Technology Pricing Pilot Programa new state grant to support the growth or relocation of quantum technology companies in New Mexico, EDD Secretary-designate Rob Black announced Saturday.
The New Mexico Quantum Technologies Award (NMQTA) Pilot Program is a competitive, state-funded grant that awards non-dilutive funds to start-up companies working in quantum technologies located in New Mexico or establishing a presence in New Mexico.
Earlier this year, Albuquerque was touted as potential next home for quantum technology by a leading publication in the quantum industry.
“Through EDD’s Office of Strategy, Science and Technology, the state is investing in partnerships to grow the quantum technology industry,” said Secretary-designate Black. “Thanks to groundbreaking quantum work at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories and UNM’s National Quantum Physics Program, New Mexico is poised to lead the nation in the development of this critical technology. »
In 2023, EDD officially partnered with Colorado and the Elevate Quantum consortium, including Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, the University of New Mexico, and Central New Mexico Community College, for a proposal to the EDA Tech Hubs program on the quantum information technology industry. in the Mountain West region. This proposal won both Tech Hubs designation and implementation funding, making this region the first and only major local investment by the U.S. government in the quantum industry. This success speaks to the strength and potential of the region, offering more Nobel Prizes, more quantum-focused organizations, and more jobs in quantum technologies than any other region in the country.
The state also supports the New Mexico Quantum Moonshot, a proposal to the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program focused on advancing dual-use quantum technologies that meet national security and civilian energy needs cleanliness, materials science and communications.
“Quantum technologies will be as transformative over the next 50 years as semiconductors have been over the last half century. New Mexico is already a global leader in pioneering quantum research, which forms the basis of major commercialized technologies around the world,” said Zachary Yerushalmi, Elevate Quantum CEO and Regional Chief Innovation Officer. “Startups are the lifeblood of any entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially one as forward-thinking as quantum. That’s why the Quantum Technologies Award pilot program is such an important down payment to support the world’s leading pioneers in quantum technology – the biggest global companies of tomorrow – to ensure they can start and grow their businesses right here in the New Mexico.
Applications for the NMQTA pilot program are now open and will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 30, 2025. Eligible proposals will demonstrate the potential and plan for development and growth of activities in the field of quantum technology, including technologies that rely on or enable quantum superposition or quantum entanglement. Applicants must be for-profit technology companies that agree to maintain a business presence in New Mexico for at least two years. Up to five prizes will be awarded, worth $100,000 each.
Potential applicants should review the NMQTA Pilot Program Grant Manual on the EDD website at EDD.newmexico.gov/Quantum-Grants.