SC Quantum is working to build a quantum economy that is quantum-based, but people-powered.
The group – which recently received a $15 million boost from the state legislature – believes that focusing on an already talented, tech-savvy workforce to build the foundations of a quantum economy, and uniting industry and public partners is the recipe for success.
In a relatively short time, the SC Quantum team has built significant global partnerships and momentum, said Joe Queenan, Executive Director of SC Quantum.
“Our team has demonstrated over the last six months that we can settle quantum talent and technology here,” said Queenan. “We started building a coalition that intentionally takes a step back from focusing purely on the scientific aspect of quantum and prioritizes the people and the commercial applications. The data show that there’s an enormous opportunity for our state and our region if we are intentional about collaborating on a shared vision. We can become a destination to attract and support talent around this emerging technology.”
Many of the pieces are already in place, Queenan added.
When asked to name tech ecosystems, many people might not place South Carolina at the top of the list, especially when well-funded and heavily promoted examples are all over the news. However, the state has a strong and growing presence of some of the world’s fastest growing hi-tech and engineering-focused firms that could benefit from a quantum literate workforce and market-tested technologies.
Home to High Tech
In the past three decades, South Carolina has managed to attract some of the world’s top manufacturing companies, in fields as diverse as automotive, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology.
Currently, South Carolina is a significant player in the automotive industry, home to more than 250 automotive-related companies. The state is renowned for its automotive manufacturing capabilities, notably with BMW’s manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, which produces more vehicles than any other BMW plant worldwide. The automotive sector in South Carolina also includes a strong presence in tire manufacturing and distribution, with companies like Michelin and Bridgestone operating major facilities in the state (Livability) (WorldAtlas).
The aerospace industry in South Carolina has also seen substantial growth, particularly since Boeing established an assembly plant there, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. The state DOC added that South Carolina hosts over 400 aerospace-related companies, contributing to an economic impact of approximately $19 billion. Major players like General Electric have significant operations in the state, as well. Technology and biotechnology is another area of strength in South Carolina. The state’s conducive business environment has attracted major tech companies and innovative startups, contributing to its growing reputation as a technology hub.
“One of the things that we have done so well in South Carolina is talent development, especially in the areas of advanced manufacturing, workflow optimization and data analytics. Boeing, BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo, are great examples of leading technology companies that benefit from this talent pool,” said Queenan. “Now, the state is welcoming Scout Motors, which will be one of the largest startup success stories we will witness in the southeast, and they are all coming here because we have demonstrated over and over that we can align our highly skilled workforce with industry’s needs.”
The companies that build in or relocate to South Carolina – including some of the world’s biggest employers – often cite the ample supply of smart and tech-savvy workers as a key factor in their decision. There’s every reason to believe that quantum-savvy companies would find the same workforce advantages in the state, added Queenan.
Backyard Use Cases
Besides quantum companies that might be drawn to South Carolina by the state’s ready and willing workforce, it’s not lost on the SC Quantum team that the areas of economic strength for the state are precisely the kinds of industries that could benefit from quantum computing, sensors and cryptography.
“What SC Quantum provides is a concept the team refers to as “Plus Quantum”.”
Referring back to the list of industries that are already based in South Carolina, it’s easy to see how these companies could naturally benefit from participation in the quantum economy. For example, manufacturing use cases include leveraging quantum algorithms to enhance and streamline production processes. Quantum computing is also expected to impact logistics companies, as well as firms that might not be pureplay logistics firms, but rely heavily on constant logistical improvements – and there are many firms in that category. Biotechnology can benefit from quantum computers to enhance drug discovery and create new treatments. Because of the close connection between quantum simulations and materials science, a quantum-savvy workforce could give many automobile and aerospace manufacturers a competitive advantage in finding materials that promote energy efficiency, or increased strength without added weight.
What SC Quantum provides is a concept the team refers to as “Plus Quantum”.
“We may not invent the next quantum computer in South Carolina, but we have the talent that can take these innovations from the academy into the commercial market,” said Queenan.” “Today – we are leaders in supply chain optimization, logistics, advanced manufacturing – that’s our lane. And if we just say, ‘plus quantum,’ to what we’re already doing so well, then our state is going to continue to move forward as rapidly as the technology.”
According to the Boston Consulting Group, Quantum computing in most industries is likely to be a winner-take-most technology, and a disproportionate share of the value created (estimated as much as 90%) will go to early adopters. Companies that have not invested in use case development and partnerships with providers are likely to find themselves locked out. If the initiative succeeds and quantum technology matures into the transformative tech as promised, companies currently located in South Carolina could be positioned for a unique competitive advantage by mastering a disruptive technology long before competitors get a chance to integrate quantum into their business processes.
Educational Infrastructure
Queenan also points out that South Carolina has the educational resources to both train the quantum workforce and explore quantum use cases simultaneously. South Carolina has an educational infrastructure that is – although perhaps less recognized – key to the state’s ability to reskill workers and evolve its workforce with the state’s leading employers.
“Just to give one example, the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business’s Operations and Supply Chain Management Program is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world,” said Queenan. “And we know that because the world’s leading organizations that depend on a reliable and efficient supply chain, like Boeing, BMW, Coca Cola Consolidated, Michelin, Sonoco among others, come here to tap the expertise of USC’s faculty. South Carolina has assets in place today that matter to the quantum economy today. If we can help the leading supply chain companies add quantum technologies to their processes, perhaps they will also look to our talent to bring these new capabilities in house.”
“…South Carolina has the educational resources to both train the quantum workforce and explore quantum use cases simultaneously.”
The state also boasts an impressive network of technical schools, community colleges and junior colleges.
Ultimately, this network creates an opportunity to combine educational resources, academic areas of excellence and partner them with industry to harness quantum’s potential computational benefits to secure the state’s economic growth.
Intangible Benefits
Many of the reasons that make South Carolina well-suited for a quantum-ready workforce cannot be implemented in just any ecosystem roadmap or incentivized through government funding. Today’s tech workers look for more than just pay and benefits, they also crave environmental and lifestyle quality.
More bluntly, it’s difficult to move the sun and reposition the oceans.
“I think that’s our secret sauce,” said Queenan. “Some people like to live near the beach, some by the mountains. So, there is an environment we have in South Carolina that other ecosystems might not have, and the numbers show people are moving to South Carolina in droves.
Next Steps
Queenan recognizes the challenges of building a functioning ecosystem of workers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and scientists that can create and maintain what might be history’s most complex technology.
The funding they have now will only go so far, he added.
However, the organization is encouraged by the spirit of collaboration that is embracing the initiative. Initial projects are already underway and showing signs of success. As a result of the team’s efforts, we have our first quantum startup and our first cohort of quantum fellows. Queenan added that the quantum initiative isn’t just being embraced by a few select scientists or engineers, but the broad ecosystem is behind the effort. It’s a total team effort.
Said Queenan. “We have an amazing team; we have an amazing group of partners – and we have a real opportunity to build upon our early successes to settle talent and technology here.”
