Yesterday, Technology Scotland hosted the latest Quantum Special Interest Group (SIG), bringing together stakeholders from across industry, academia and investment to explore the commercialisation of quantum technologies.
The session opened with a presentation from the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), outlining the government’s ambitions for the quantum sector. A key announcement highlighted up to £2 billion in funding for quantum technologies, alongside plans to more than double the rate of investment between 2026 and 2030. The speaker also reflected on existing investments in Scotland and reinforced the importance of supporting the local ecosystem to enable companies to grow and scale, positioning Scotland as a significant contributor to the UK’s quantum future.
This was followed by a perspective from Stuart Nicol of Quantum Exponential, who focused on why investors are increasingly paying attention to quantum technologies. He explored the mindset of venture capital in this sector, highlighting the long-term nature of deep-tech investment, the strategic importance of quantum, and the emerging opportunities across the sector. His talk emphasised how investors are positioning themselves early to capture value as the market matures.
Attendees then heard from Jack Brennan, CEO of Quantcore, and Robert Graham, CEO of Kelvin Quantum, who provided valuable insight into their spin-out journeys in Glasgow. They reflected on the transition from academic research to building a company, highlighting the challenges of early-stage decision-making, securing funding and developing a clear strategic direction, as well as their ambitions for future growth.
The event concluded with a facilitated discussion led by Abigail Hird, founder of Defankle. This session encouraged open dialogue around the barriers to commercialisation, with participants exploring challenges related to management, product development and identifying viable market opportunities. The discussion also highlighted the importance of stronger alignment between innovation and market needs to support long-term success.
Overall, the session was highly productive and demonstrated the strong momentum within the quantum sector. It is clear that quantum technologies are advancing steadily towards commercialisation, with Scotland continuing to play an important and growing role in the global landscape.