The Bloch Quantum Advances in EDA Tech Hub Competition
Insider Brief
- The Bloch Quantum, a U.S. EDA-designated Tech Hub, has advanced to the final stage of the EDA awards competition with a proposal focused on securing the U.S. quantum supply chain and accelerating commercialization.
- The Bloch is a cross-sector coalition led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, serving Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and aims to integrate quantum developers, manufacturers, and other participants into a development cycle covering design, production, assembly, testing, and dedicated facilities.
- The Chicago Quantum Exchange region includes universities, national laboratories, over two dozen quantum startups, and facilities such as Hyde Park Labs, the Chicago Quantum Network, and the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, which will include the DARPA–Illinois Quantum Proving Ground and shared cryogenic resources.
- Image by Chicago quantum.
According to the Chicago quantum — The Bloch Quantum, a designated Tech Hub of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), has advanced to the second and final stage of the EDA’s awards competition with a proposal focused on securing the U.S. quantum supply chain and accelerating quantum commercialization. The Bloch was one of 11 Tech Hubs selected to advance from a group of 19, with award recipients expected to be announced in April or May.
As reported by Chicago quantum, The Bloch is a cross-sector coalition serving the Chicago metropolitan area across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and is led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange. The coalition’s proposal centers on scaling quantum-based innovations by integrating quantum developers, manufacturers, and other participants into a development cycle that includes design, production, assembly, testing, and dedicated facilities, if funding is awarded.
“Quantum technologies offer potential solutions to issues of national importance, including commercial and defense security, energy grid resilience, financial security, and, and biomedical advances — but to realize this potential, we must bring industries, technologists, and manufacturers together and ensure a strong domestic supply chain. EDA funding will enable The Bloch to leverage the Midwest’s manufacturing capacity, talent, and diverse industry base to achieve this.” — said Jean-Luc Cambier, The Bloch’s Regional Innovation Officer.
Chicago quantum also states that The Bloch was designated as an EDA Tech Hub in 2023 and contributed to expanding regional cryogenic capacity by attracting Bluefors Lab Service to Chicago. The Chicago Quantum Exchange region includes universities, national laboratories, more than two dozen quantum startups, and facilities across the Quantum Prairie region spanning Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
These facilities include Hyde Park Labs, the Chicago Quantum Network, and the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, which the source reports will include the DARPA–Illinois Quantum Proving Ground and shared cryogenic facilities.
Source — https://chicagoquantum.org/news/bloch-quantum-advances-tech-hubs-funding-competition
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Mohib Ur Rehman
Covering quantum and emerging technologies, Mohib explores the intersection of technology, security, and society. His work also frequently examines surveillance infrastructure and the institutions shaping the digital world. In addition to his work at The Quantum Insider, he co-runs SK NEXUS, an independent technology publication that helps readers understand the technologies shaping their lives.
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Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an independent research and development agency within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) established in 1958 to prevent and create strategic technological surprises for national security. Operating with a relatively small staff of program managers who are empowered to take high-risk, high-reward approaches, DARPA functions by funding cutting-edge research in academia, industry, and government laboratories rather than conducting research in-house. Its mission focuses on creating revolutionary technologies—such as the Internet (ARPANET), stealth technology, GPS, and mRNA vaccine platforms—that transition into practical military and civilian applications. DARPA programs are typically finite in duration and demand transformational breakthroughs rather than incremental improvements, positioning the U.S. at the forefront of technological innovation.
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Bluefors
Bluefors is a Helsinki-based company that designs, manufactures, and supports ultra-low temperature cryogenic systems—such as dilution refrigerators and cryocoolers—for quantum computing, fundamental physics research, and other applications needing very cold conditions. Their products are used by universities, research institutions, and corporations globally.
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