🔒With new CEO, QuantumCT eyes creating quantum computing ‘test bed’ in New Haven

“I have spent pretty much my entire career at the interface between bleeding-edge technology and hardcore business strategy and execution,” said Albert M. Green.

It’s that combination that leads him to describe his new role as president and CEO of QuantumCT as a “natural fit.”

The public-private partnership — which includes the University of Connecticut and Yale University, alongside business and industry partners — is tasked with driving innovation in quantum technology in the state. Green becomes its first leader, and he says the decision to come to Connecticut to head up the effort was an easy one.

“Connecticut is one of the inventors of what we understand as quantum computing today,” he said, pointing out that Yale University’s first research paper on quantum computing was published 20 years ago. “The depth of the technical expertise, the thought leadership — it’s profound.”

Quantum computing applies the laws of quantum mechanics to model complex problems that are too difficult for current computer technology to solve.

Green was CEO of Kent Displays, a company that leveraged Kent State University-developed liquid crystal technology to create the note-taking tablet Boogie Board. He was subsequently the director of technology commercialization at Kent State University, and ran his own firm, AMG Consulting Group, advising technology businesses on growth strategies.

He holds 26 patents in the areas of photonic systems, displays and advanced materials.

‘New innovation ecosystem’

In 2023, Connecticut was successful in attracting a $1 million planning grant from the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program. That funding became the foundation of QuantumCT.

The organization is now transitioning from being a grant initiative to a self-contained 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its most immediate task is to develop a statewide strategic plan to position Connecticut at the forefront of the emerging quantum economy.

There’s already significant public and private funding pouring into the industry.

Global public investments in quantum technology reached $42 billion in 2023, while quantum startups raised $1.71 billion from private investors that same year, according to consulting giant McKinsey & Co.

“It’s a very exciting area,” Green said. “I think the most accurate way to describe it is that quantum computing and quantum technologies is where transistors were in the 50s.”

“We’re building a new innovation ecosystem in Connecticut,” said Saranda Belica, the organization’s senior advisor for strategic initiatives, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. “We’re preparing the state for a new economy. Our primary focus will be obviously engaging industry partners, but also preparing the workforce for this new quantum economy.”

The organization expects state funding in the budget that’s currently under discussion at the legislature. Gov. Ned Lamont called out the potential of the quantum economy for the state in his February budget address.

“Working with UConn and Yale, we will make over $100 million in key capital investments in quantum computing and artificial intelligence applications to keep our key industries ahead of the curve, including life sciences and fintech,” the governor said.

Lamont has submitted a bill that proposes to create an artificial intelligence and quantum technology investment fund that would be run by Connecticut Innovations, the state’s quasi-public venture arm. CI would be able to allocate up to $50 million in the fund to invest in “companies in the state, or companies relocating significant operations to the state, which develop, manufacture, utilize or deploy artificial intelligence systems or quantum technology.”

New Haven is also in the running for a piece of the state’s $100 million “Innovation Clusters” grant program to develop a quantum and bioscience cluster.

Meantime, QuantumCT is looking for additional federal grant funding, Green said.

The organization is headquartered in New Haven, where it’s building a “test bed” where industry partners, researchers and technical stakeholders can try out ideas. It’s also planning a business incubator, and wants to bring in potential investors including venture capital.

It will be part of Green’s responsibilities to seek out new industry partners to collaborate with QuantumCT in developing use cases for the technology, as well as communicating with the wider public about what the new technology will mean.

New Haven is also home to Quantum Circuits Inc., a Yale University-based quantum computing startup that has raised tens of millions of dollars as it prepares to commercialize its quantum systems.

Test cases

QuantumCT is currently working with the insurance industry on the uses of quantum computing to solve problems around rate structures and risk, Green said.

“These are multivariable problems, and classical computers have a challenge doing those kinds of things,” he said. “That’s an example of use-inspired research, applying the learnings of quantum computing to address some of these very challenging problems.”

Another early partner is the pharmaceutical industry, which sees potential in applying quantum technology to developing models for drug discovery.

Green identifies logistics and supply chain issues as another fruitful application for quantum computing.

“I’ll use the term inclusive growth,” he said. “As we grow this quantum economy, we want it to touch everybody — those that historically have been left behind by these sorts of things.”

One of the ways in which that can happen is by developing a workforce that’s fluent in this type of technology and can take advantage of the new economic opportunities it may generate.

“When you look at the skills that are needed, it’s not really that much different from the same skills that one would see in, say, advanced manufacturing. It’s strong STEM training,” he said.

He compares quantum technology’s development stage to where AI was 10 to 15 years ago, with a similar transformative potential — although he doesn’t think it will take as long to become as ubiquitous as AI now is.

“There’s literally a breakthrough a week,” he said, pointing to the development of new quantum chips by companies including Intel, Microsoft and Nvidia. “Everything from hyper-advanced sensors to computational techniques to cybersecurity applications. It has the potential, essentially, to touch every part of your life.”

And while the technology might currently seem opaque to anyone without a physics degree, Green says he’s working on that.

“One of our missions is to demystify it,” he said. “One of the things that I want to take advantage of is that it’s kind of cool.”