A new hub for quantum research and innovation has officially opened at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, with ambitions to accelerate the development of emerging technologies and support commercialisation of next-generation solutions. The Harwell Quantum Cluster aims to drive economic growth by creating more than 1,000 high-value jobs and attracting £1bn in investment to the UK over the next ten years. The initiative also seeks to give early-stage companies easier access to funding, mentorship and global markets under the focus key phrase Harwell Quantum Cluster launch.
The cluster is being led by the Science and Technology Facilities Council in collaboration with the Harwell Joint Venture, which combines Brookfield Asset Management and The UK Atomic Energy Authority, alongside the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Business and Trade. Its establishment represents a major step in positioning the UK as a global leader in quantum technology, providing both infrastructure and strategic support for research, development and commercialisation.
At the official launch, leaders of the cluster signed a memorandum of understanding with Quantum Exponential Group, the UK’s first listed investment company dedicated entirely to quantum technologies. The partnership is expected to strengthen the cluster’s ability to connect innovative quantum companies with capital and business expertise, helping translate laboratory breakthroughs into commercially viable solutions.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasised the transformative potential of quantum technology for everyday life and industry. She said: “From helping doctors discover new medicines faster to batteries that last longer and charge quicker, quantum technology can keep us safer and healthier and change our everyday lives in really practical ways. We have a once-in-a-generation chance to lead the world in quantum technology. This cluster at Harwell shows we’re serious about grabbing that opportunity and turning it into real prosperity – over 1,000 skilled jobs, £1bn in private investment, and making sure the benefits are felt right across Britain.”
The Harwell Quantum Cluster launch underscores the UK government’s commitment to fostering innovation ecosystems that combine research excellence with commercial scale-up. By providing start-ups and scale-ups with access to mentorship, funding networks and global market connections, the cluster aims to shorten the path from scientific discovery to practical applications. The project also highlights the increasing importance of public-private partnerships in building technology clusters that can compete internationally while generating local employment and investment.
With its focus on supporting early-stage quantum companies and developing high-value jobs, the Harwell Quantum Cluster launch is expected to have a lasting impact on the UK’s technology landscape, helping the country to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing, communications and sensing.
