Sheffield-based Start-up Urges Government to Turbocharge the UK’s Quantum Industry

8 June 2023

Aeqiq, a quantum start-up and spin-out from the University of Sheffield, has released its seven-point plan to help the Government boost the UK’s quantum industry and maximise the impact of quantum technologies on the UK economy and society. In a submission to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee inquiry, Aegiq stresses the importance of the Government being the first customer of quantum technology to stimulate confidence among private customers and boost investment in the sector. This is coupled with the need to use quantum technologies to underpin critical national infrastructure and security, boost the UK-based semiconductor industry, and push for universities to take a longer-term approach to commercialisation.

Aegiq CEO, Maksym Sich, said:

“Quantum technologies are set to fundamentally disrupt and revolutionise almost every sector and industry in the UK in the coming years. From cyber-security and aerospace to infrastructure and agri-tech, quantum computing has the potential to transform the UK’s society and economy. However, the UK risks failing to punch above its weight globally and it is now time for the UK Government to show consistency and ambition.

“Whilst the Government’s commitment to invest £2.5 billion in quantum over the next 10 years in the recent quantum strategy is a very positive step, what matters most is the detail and there are currently only high-level intentions in the strategy. Our seven-point plan highlights the specific actions the Government must take to ensure the success of these technologies in the UK and to catch up with the likes of China who are leading the way in the sector.”

The seven-point plan includes:

1. Government must be in the driver’s seat: The UK Government must be the first customer of quantum technologies and learn from the US, where government-backed capital is already the key to driving the advance of quantum – just as it did in the early 2010s to boost the growth of the development of mRNA technology.
2. Show global leadership, countering the rise of quantum nationalism: The UK must foster deeper international relationships with the US and EU member states to maximise its capabilities.
3. Underpin critical infrastructure and national security with quantum: The UK will not be able to keep delivering or manufacturing at scale without quantum-powered systems.
4. UK universities must take a longer-term approach to commercialisation: Universities should focus on quantifying the number of high-skilled jobs generated and the success in nurturing unicorn companies rather than prioritising cash returns.
5. Foster top talent: The UK must at least double the amount of young people focusing on quantum in their postgraduate degrees over the next five years.
6. Boost the UK-based semiconductor industry: Without a manufacturing base for semiconductors – the likes of which the US and EU member states are making great strides in – it will be difficult for the UK’s quantum industry to thrive.
7. Government should listen to UK quantum start-ups: Start-ups are at the cutting-edge of innovation in the sector, but do not yet have the scale to compete globally – and will not without full support and backing at a national level.

The UK Government recently published a national quantum strategy, setting out its 10 year vision to lead the world in the advancement of quantum technologies. Following this, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has opened an inquiry into what interventions are required from the Government to drive the UK’s quantum industry, with Aeqiq recently providing the committee with evidence on how breakthroughs in quantum technology can be turned into commercial products.

Co-founded in 2019 by a leadership team consisting of Maksym Sich, Andrii Iamshanov and Scott Dufferwiel, Aegiq has its roots in the technology developed at the Sheffield Quantum Centre, where Scott and Max completed PhDs, as well as in Ukraine, where Max and Andrii were school friends born in Kyiv.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Aegiq is a spin-out from the University of Sheffield and is on a mission to deliver the first quantum computing platform that delivers tangible results and benefits.
• It was co-founded in 2019 by a leadership team consisting of Maksym (Max) Sich, Andrii Iamshanov and Scott Dufferwiel. The company has its roots in the technology developed at the Sheffield Quantum Centre, where Scott and Max completed PhDs, as well as in Ukraine, where Max and Andrii were childhood friends born in Kyiv, before moving to the UK for postgraduate studies.
• Aegiq’s leadership team brings decades of experience in multiple areas including business and development, engineering, and quantum science.
• The company uses its unique hybrid integrated photonics approach to solve the million-qubit challenge and unlock economies of scale for quantum technology.
• Already offering a portfolio of products and solutions covering frontier cybersecurity, quantum networking, quantum-enhanced sensing, and quantum computing, Aegiq helps governments and global leaders in R&D, telecommunications, defence & aerospace, financial, and advanced manufacturing sectors to stay ahead of the tech curve.

For more information, please email aegiq@luther.co.uk or call 07740486728.