DPI is proud to serve as an on-ramp site for the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. The on-ramp program is a strategic initiative designed to allow future tenants to begin operations while the permanent 128-acre South Side Chicago facility is under construction. It also gives them an early introduction to the Chicago quantum ecosystem.
This week, we talked with Kanav Setia, cofounder and CEO of qBraid.
How and why did you become a partner with the National Quantum Algorithm Center?
The National Quantum Algorithm Center is something very special to us. qBraid moved to Chicago in 2021, and since then we have had the opportunity to work with CQE, UIUC, and many other state bodies. And we got to contribute many ideas that evolved into NQAC. So, becoming a partner was an easy decision.
What problem in the world are you hoping quantum technology will help solve?
qBraid focuses on two major enablement problems in the quantum industry, besides some of our R&D efforts in quantum chemistry and quantum reservoir computing. The two enablement problems are enabling users in academia and industry easy access to QPUs and quantum software, and enabling companies building quantum computers an easy way to roll out their QPUs to the cloud.
Our products allow our users and customers, who come from all sectors, easy access to the quantum ecosystem (quantum computers, quantum software from over 20 quantum companies). And qBraid-OS allows companies to connect with QPUs to the cloud and manage the queueing, billing, connection with GPUs, etc., through a seamless interface.
Through our quantum chemistry R&D efforts, we hope to accelerate drug development and, through quantum reservoir computing, help the aerospace and finance industry.
What makes the Chicago ecosystem different from other quantum hubs around the world?
Chicago is already likely the biggest quantum ecosystem in the United States — and possibly in the world. There are a few crucial ingredients required for a budding ecosystem to develop, like commitment from local governments, a high density of talent with the right expertise, and capital. Chicago's got them all.
If quantum innovation is a team sport, what role does your company play on the field?
If I knew an answer to this question, I would probably not be a quantum nerd, haha.
What excites you most about working alongside other quantum companies, researchers, and startups here?
Diversity of ideas is critical to innovation and pushing the field forward. DPI is a melting pot of ideas coming from from academia, industry, and the state. Another important aspect is that interacting with people from different backgrounds also allows for seeing the same ideas from different perspectives, which is a must in a society.
For instance, the sports analogy question above made me realize that, if we are developing this technology for everyone in society, and a big fraction of the people relate to sports, then having a sports analogy is a must (I will have a better answer in the future). And, hopefully, you walk away from my response with a validation for “yeah, quantum people are nerds.”
What part of your work tends to surprise people when they first learn about it?
That a quantum particle could be in two places at once. And then they get hooked and some of them start learning more about the field and the associated math, then realize "quantum particle in two places" was a lie.