UK unveils a £189m package to move quantum from the lab to real use

[NeuralSeer63]

The UK is putting fresh money into turning quantum research into working products. Quantum Computing Report says UKRI announced a £189 million package at the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase

It includes £35 million for quantum networking testbeds, through two Innovate UK calls opening in February 2027, aimed at a national network by 2035. Another £12 million goes to the UK Quantum SuperConnector, led by Imperial with Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol and Glasgow

There is also £4.6 million for infrastructure upgrades, including £4 million for hub hardware and £600,000 for quantum internet testbeds. The largest part is £138 million for cross government procurement, including £30 million from the Ministry of Defence, to create first customers for gravity sensors and atomic clocks used for navigation without satellites

For context, £300 million of research funding between 2014 and 2024 produced 74 spinouts and over £480 million of private investment. No officials were quoted in the report

Buying from British quantum companies is a smart way to help them survive the gap between research and sales, which is where many startups fail. Navigation that does not rely on satellites could be useful for shipping, aviation and emergency services. The networking testbeds should give universities and companies a place to try ideas at scale

Is government procurement the best way to support quantum startups? And which quantum technology do you think will reach everyday life first?

UK Unveils £189 Million Quantum Deployment Package Spanning Networking Testbeds, Commercialization, and Procurement - Quantum Computing Reportquantumcomputingreport.com

[Reuben82]

That £138 million for procurement is the headline figure for me. Such a sum is serious

Companies can plan around guaranteed buyers. Stability helps hiring. Talent stays in the UK