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Canadian Quantum Champions

The Canadian federal government launched its recently announced spending in quantum technology today with non-dilutive investments in four companies. Anyon Systems, Nord Quantique, Photonic, and Xanadu are each eligible for up to $23 million CAD ($16.7 million USD) through the program.

Nord Quantique announced it would receive an initial $11.6 million USD through the program. The other companies did not announce initial investments. Nord Quantique, Photonic, and Xanadu were also selected for the second stage of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative last month. Anyon did not participate in the QBI program due to IP concerns, according to CEO Alireza Najafi-Yazdi.

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon said in an interview with The Globe and Mail that the program is meant “to champion our champions and make sure they stay in Canada, that the intellectual property stays in Canada, that the work force stays in Canada. The goal is sovereign quantum capability. We are unapologetic about it.”

Quantum Campus is edited by Bill Bell, a science writer and marketing consultant who has covered physics and high-performance computing for more than 25 years. Disclosure statement.