Converging science, capital and talent to create value for quantum innovators.
LQC works across sectors and disciplines to support the commercialisation of quantum technologies, with the purpose of unlocking economic growth and realising the benefits of quantum technology across society.
Founded by three leading universities - Imperial College London, University College London and King’s College London - LQC is supported by the Mayor of London and UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Our Challenge:
Our mission is to accelerate the quantum economy in London equitably by connecting ideas with expertise, facilities and capital.
We are here to support innovators shaping the future through quantum, assisting them to bring quantum-based solutions to market sooner and to develop the global companies of tomorrow.
As a recently formed partnership, our initial focus is on building quantum readiness and quantum awareness: strengthening the conditions for research, innovation and investment in the capital, and promoting the transformative potential of quantum technologies.
Building Quantum Readiness in London
If London’s strengths converge, then we can create a world-class ecosystem for quantum technology.
LQC is convening stakeholders through activities such as investor workshops and sessions for university technology transfer offices, and by working closely with policymakers to help shape an enabling environment for quantum innovation.
At the same time, LQC is advancing the development of quantum-ready infrastructure across the capital, making it easier for startups to launch, scale and succeed. This includes exploring options for specialist facilities (such as suitable cooling systems for quantum computers and shared high-value equipment), and strengthening supply-chain capacity (particularly in photonics) to improve resilience and security. We are also advocating for targeted government investment to support these critical enablers.
Building Quantum Awareness: Why Quantum Matters
“Quantum technologies are changing the world – from ultra-sensitive sensors to help diagnose diseases through to the potential of a new type of computer that can do things in seconds that would take today’s computers decades to compute.” - Lord Vallance, Science Minister
Quantum technologies have the potential to transform industries and improve lives in profound ways:
By dramatically increasing compute power, quantum computers could enable the discovery of the next generation of drugs, chemicals and advanced materials
Quantum navigation and timing systems can provide resilient, highly accurate alternatives when satellite signals are disrupted or denied
New quantum sensors promise unprecedented precision, offering capabilities such as monitoring and maintaining critical infrastructure or even seeing underground
In healthcare, quantum-enabled imaging and diagnostics could support earlier detection of conditions like dementia, epilepsy and cancer, while ultra-precise quantum tools may help deliver more accurate and effective surgery
Taken together, these advances illustrate how quantum technologies could shape a safer, healthier and more resilient future.
“Quantum works because at the smallest, sub-atomic scales, the regular rules of physics don’t apply. Quantum computers, sensors and other tools take advantage of this to do useful things – and in ways that can out-perform their conventional counterparts. From helping to discover new medicines in a fraction of the time it takes today, to looking deep into buildings and buried structures in a non-intrusive way, quantum technology has huge commercial potential.” - UK Government
LQC plays an active role in building quantum awareness: championing the potential of quantum technologies and helping the public understand their real-world impact. We engage with communities across London through outreach activities, school partnerships and events such as the Great Exhibition Road Festival, inspiring future talent and strengthening understanding of the opportunities quantum brings.
We are committed to ensuring that the benefits of quantum technologies are shared widely and fairly - supporting growth that reaches across communities and developing a diverse, long-term talent pool of residents with quantum skills. By shaping and influencing quantum policy, standards and regulation, and by championing diversity at every level of London’s quantum ecosystem, we aim to ensure that quantum innovation delivers meaningful benefits for all Londoners.
