Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JULY 10, 2023 23 around quantum technologies in Connecticut. "We also think it will be a great way to deepen and broaden our collaborative relationship with UConn, commercial and government partners in Connecticut," Crair said. Attracting talent Quantum-related businesses face workforce challenges, which is an issue for many industries, according to CBIA President and CEO Chris DiPentima. "Businesses across the state are doing everything they can to attract and retain talent," DiPentima said. "We need to grow the state's popula- tion to grow the economy. This kind of investment in innovation will not only attract businesses and workers to Connecticut, but will provide the training and support needed to create the next generation of the state's workforce." Connecticut doesn't currently have the workforce needed for future quantum-related jobs, DiDonato said. However, he notes that neither does anyone else. Educators will play a key role in creating the quantum workforce of the future, university officials said. "We need to inspire," DiDonato said. "It's more than just training new engineers, physicists, material scien- tists and computer scientists." He stressed reaching children at a young age to get them interested. "We need to cast a broad net and inspire a diverse group of K-12 students and show them that there's something remarkable and fascinating in quantum," DiDonato said. "It will affect students in the arts, marketing, business and tech schools. Ten years from now, Connecticut needs a legion of curious youth ready to implement new quantum technological achievements to solve society's greatest challenges; this grant is Connecticut's next step towards this goal." Those involved in the effort will partner with educational institutions and non-governmental agencies statewide to enhance training oppor- tunities at the local level, according to Yale's Crair. "Connecticut has a highly educated population, but additional and expanded technical training, from high school through advanced degrees, will be required to build a workforce that can drive the growth of a quantum industry in (the state)," Crair said. Commercialization, research challenges According to Crair, there are a number of other challenges quan- tum-related businesses are facing. "Significant technical barriers remain to translating laboratory discoveries into products that are commercially viable," Crair said. There is also a knowledge and communications gap between academics at universities and their corporate and commercial partners, he added. "University faculty often are simply unaware of specific technical barriers corporate partners face for commer- cial translation of technologies," Crair said. Meanwhile, corporate partners are often not aware of scientific advances that have been made in university laboratories that might have huge commercial potential, according to Crair. A goal of the Quan- tum-CT effort is to improve communica- tion, so academics can help address scientific problems their commercial partners are facing, Crair added. In addition to Yale startup Quantum Circuits Inc., there have been Yale students who have gone on to start quantum-related businesses, such as California-based Rigetti Computing, founded by Chad Rigetti. Yale has future quantum startups in the pipeline in memory technology, algorithms and encryption software, Crair said. "These are not yet launched," Crair added, though he hopes they will be soon, with the help of Quantum-CT and the NSF grant. Matt McCooe — CEO of CT Innovations, the state's quasi-public venture capital arm — said the U.S. National Science Foundation has a 20- to 30-year perspective on where the United States should be investing now, so its economy thrives in the decades to come. "Connecticut Innovations sees quantum technology as a ripe area for innovation and investment," McCooe said. "CI is hoping to invest in the most promising tech that emerges from this program. We want to be part of the commercialization of the products that will benefit from quantum mechanics and effects, be they improved MRI, solar cells or supercomputers." In addition to leading UConn's new "Quantum-CT" initiative, Michael DiDonato is the business development manager of UConn's Innovation Partnership Building. His job is to connect businesses with the researchers and high-tech equipment at UConn Tech Park. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER Matt McCooe

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