KRISS Launches 'Quantum Computing MPE Scale-up Valley Consortium'

- KRISS and 27 institutions join forces to foster quantum computing materials and components industry -

On the July 3rd, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), led by President Ho Seong Lee, launched the ‘Quantum Computing MPE* Scale-up Valley Consortium’ and signed a memorandum of understanding at the KRISS in Daejeon to foster the quantum computing materials, components, and equipment industry.

*MPE: Materials, Parts and Equipment

▲Commemorative Photo from the Launch Ceremony

The agreement involved 28 institutions, including ▲KRISS, ▲Daejeon Metropolitan City, ▲the Platform of Science and Engineering Partnership(PoSEP), ▲manufacturing companies(MKS, Withwave, SDT, and 18 others), ▲domestic and international demand companies(LG Electronics, Pasqal, and Quandela), as well as ▲venture capital firms(Korea Science and Technology Holdings and Bluepoint Partners).

Quantum computing is considered a game-changer that can bring revolutionary changes across economic, social, and security sectors, prompting competitive investments, especially among leading nations. In South Korea, KRISS successfully demonstrated a 20-qubit quantum computing performance earlier this year using its own technology, with active research underway to achieve 50-qubit quantum computing by 2026.

However, approximately 95% of quantum computing components are currently imported. As these components are classified as strategic materials and their importation is becoming increasingly challenging. To secure a foothold in the quantum computing market, it is essential to develop independent materials, components, and equipment technologies and secure a stable supply chain.

Against this backdrop, the participating institutions agreed to establish the ‘Quantum Computing SMEs Scale-up Valley’ in the Daejeon region. This innovative cluster aims to nurture the materials and components industry by integrating technology, talent, and capital to create a virtuous cycle ecosystem that fosters mutual cooperation from corporate investment to basic research, development, and commercialization.

※ ①Valley infrastructure support: Daejeon Metropolitan City ②R&D and testing services support: KRISS ③Development and commercialization: manufacturing companies ④Market participation and collaboration: demand companies ⑤Domestic and international commercialization and investment: Korea Science and Technology Holdings and Bluepoint Partners

▲KRISS is currently developing a 50-qubit superconducting quantum computing model.

As the leading organization of the consortium, KRISS will leverage its top-tier quantum research personnel and accumulated technological expertise to transfer core technologies to materials, components, and equipment companies. Additionally, KRISS will serve as a demonstration testbed to ensure stable commercialization.

This agreement, which brings together industry, academia, and research institutes with key quantum technologies, is expected to significantly support the Ministry of Science and ICT's ‘Deep Tech Scale-up Valley’ project.

▲KRISS President Ho Seong Lee (left) and Ho-jong Jang, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Scientific Affairs of Daejeon City (right), commemorate the signing of the memorandum of understanding for the ‘Quantum Computing MPE Scale-up Valley Consortium.’

President Ho Seong Lee stated, "To gain a competitive edge in the race for quantum supremacy, securing 'quantum engineering' technology is essential. This consortium is expected to create synergy by integrating the excellent research capabilities of industry, academia, and research institutes, generating new growth drivers for the quantum industry."