QAI Ventures launches global quantum technology accelerator and Canadian office in Calgary

Senior leaders with QAI Ventures, a Swiss venture capital firm specializing in quantum tech innovation, visited the University of Calgary campus on April 3 to celebrate a planned partnership with UCalgary’s Quantum City, establishing Calgary as a global hub for quantum technology development and open their Canadian office location.

Quantum City has entered a non-binding letter of intent regarding a proposed collaboration with QAI Ventures to build and promote the UCalgary and pan-Alberta quantum ecosystem on a global scale. To initiate this collaboration, QAI Ventures and Quantum City plan to collaborate on a global quantum accelerator in Calgary, which will be called QAI Ventures Accelerator, powered by Quantum City. Additionally, QAI Ventures intends to invest directly in the accelerator’s startup cohort.

“The University of Calgary is a global leader in quantum research, which is revolutionizing our understanding of nature’s basic elements and is driving technology innovation,” says Dr. William Ghali, vice-president (research) at the University of Calgary. “Our growing reputation has now attracted one of the foremost venture capital firms in the world working in the quantum space. Through this partnership, we’ll be able to speed up the process for startups with innovative ideas to develop their projects into marketable solutions for tomorrow’s problems.”

Acceleration programs and investment funding

QAI Ventures is an ecosystem builder offering acceleration programs and investment funding for early-stage quantum and advanced AI startups worldwide. The QAI Ventures Accelerator, powered by Quantum City will provide entrepreneurs and innovators premium access to cutting-edge technology, expert guidance, and tailored mentorship, supporting them throughout their journey in taking their projects from the lab to the market and pushing for faster development of Quantum startups.

"Quantum City and QAI Ventures share the same values and goals: to transform technology into solutions,” says Alexandra Beckstein, CEO and co-founder of QAI Ventures. “Collaborating allows us to strengthen these values even more. Together, we will leverage our expertise and resources to foster innovation, cultivate talent, and drive the growth of the quantum ecosystem, ultimately bringing transformative technologies to the forefront of global markets." 

Partnership shapes future of quantum innovation in Alberta

Established in 2022, Quantum City has been building an ecosystem for quantum science and technology in Alberta, uniting researchers, developers, industries, and adopters of quantum technology and services. A strategic partnership between the University of Calgary, the Government of Alberta, and Mphasis, Quantum City has positioned itself as a key player in shaping the future of quantum innovation.

The first program of the new QAI Ventures Accelerator powered by Quantum City will kick off its first cohort in 2025 in Alberta at Quantum City.

"This proposed collaboration represents a significant step forward in our mission to establish Alberta as a national and international leader in the quantum economy," says Megan Lee, managing director of Quantum City.  "By working with QAI Ventures, we are expanding our reach and accelerating the development of quantum solutions that have the potential to shape the future of various industries, while enhancing access to investment opportunities. We look forward to welcoming the world's best quantum startups to Calgary and continuing our work with QAI Ventures."