Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre relocates to Bristol Science Incubator, Unit DX

QTEC Fellows at Unit DX

Press release issued: 4 October 2017

This week, the new group of Quantum technology Enterprise Centre (QTEC) Fellows began their 2017/18 programme of MBA level training alongside other local sci-tech start-ups at Bristol Science Incubator, Unit DX.

QTEC is a one-year, cohort-based pathway offering training in business, entrepreneurship and systems engineering and design. The programme, which was previously based at the University of Bristol, was developed in collaboration with Cranfield University, and assists graduates from a range of backgrounds across the physical sciences with the skills to create, develop and market their quantum-enabled technologies.

Jane Garrett, Enterprise Lead at QTEC, said: "Having hosted a number of events at Unit DX during our inaugural year, we are delighted to be in a position to locate our new cohort at the facility full time. Working alongside scientific start-ups and enterprises provides an excellent environment for teaching entrepreneurial skills to the QTEC Fellows."

Quantum technology encompasses a wide range of applications, including revolutionising the computing industry by providing massive increases in processing power. One start-up that emerged from last year’s QTEC cohort, KETS Quantum Security, is developing quantum encryption techniques based on quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum random number generation (QRNG). These techniques will provide quantum-secured communications to address the increased venerability of traditional encryption systems, caused by rapidly rising classical computing power and the advent of quantum computing.

Fellows from last year’s QTEC cohort have already made use of the facilities at Unit DX, having hosted many of their workshops and meetings at the location. One recent graduate of the programme, Xiao Ai, founder of QLM Technology, has also taken up laboratory and office space at Unit DX. Xiao’s technology has the potential to help reduce methane leaks from oil and gas pipelines, a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. The facilities at Unit DX allow Xiao to work on his prototype and meet with investors and potential clients, all in the same location.

The QTEC programme is funded by the EPSRC and connects its fellows to the UK National Quantum Technology (UKNQT) programme, which aims to “make the UK a ‘go-to’ place for the development and commercialisation of quantum technologies”.

Further information

QTEC

Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre (QTEC), an EPSRC-funded programme and collaboration between the University of Bristol and Cranfield University, aimed at creating a world-leading hub to train entrepreneurially minded quantum systems engineers. Since its inception last year, QTEC - part of QETlabs - has helped launch a number of new quantum businesses, by providing training in quantum skills, systems engineering and entrepreneurship.

Bristol Quantum Information Institute

Quantum information and its translation into technologies is one of the most exciting research activities in science and technology today. Long at the forefront of the growing worldwide activity in this area, the Bristol Quantum Information Institute crystallises our research across the entire spectrum, from theory to technology. With our expert cross-disciplinary team, including founders of the field, we have expertise in all major areas of theoretical quantum information science and in experiment. We foster partnerships with the private sector and provide superb teaching and training for the future generation of quantum scientists and engineers and the prototypes of tomorrow.

Unit DX Ltd

Unit DX is a scientific innovation centre, catering for start-ups, SMEs and industrial teams requiring flexible, high-spec lab space in a city centre location. Opened in May 2017, it is bringing scientists, academics, and entrepreneurs together to create a cluster of scientific excellence, enterprise, and collaboration. Unit DX was founded to assist in retaining Bristol’s world-class scientific talent and research, and works in partnership with the University of Bristol and SETsquared.