CQT Challenge: ISCF Commercialising Quantum Technologies Challenge
An Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund programme, delivered by Innovate UK, that funded companies to turn quantum research into products.
Project data last updated 11 October 2026
About this project
The Commercialising Quantum Technologies Challenge ran from 2018 to 2025 as part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. UKRI lists total funding of £174 million, supported by £390 million from industry. Innovate UK delivered it.
The challenge funded collaborative research and development, industry-led technology projects, supply chain feasibility studies and an investment accelerator for early-stage companies. It began with £20 million for four pioneer prototypes in 2018: an underground survey sensor (RSK), a miniature atomic clock (Teledyne e2v), low-cost encryption chips (Toshiba) and quantum key receivers (Arqit). In June 2019 the government announced £153 million of challenge funding, matched by £205 million from industry.
Who leads it
Lead organisation
Innovate UK
Funder · Swindon
UKRI's business funder for quantum, behind the Commercialising Quantum Technologies Challenge, the Quantum Missions pilot and ProQure.
Partners (2)
Toshiba Europe
Company · Cambridge
Arqit
Company · London
Funders
UK Research and Innovation
Funder · Swindon
-
Innovate UK
Funder · Swindon
In the news
Quantum Zeitgeist articles naming the lead organisation or partners. They may not be about this project.
Arqit’s quantum-linked revenue dips to $355,000 – $380,000, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Arqit Quantum Inc. announces select preliminary financial results for the second half and full fiscal year 2026, expecting revenue of approximately $355,000 to $380,000 for the second half period ended 30 September 2026. For the full fiscal year ended 30 September 2026, revenue is expected to be $97
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Babcock and Arqit secure data transfer over a quantum-safe network, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Babcock & Arqit securely transferred data at DVD 2026, demonstrating resilient communications against future quantum-enabled threats.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Infleqtion expands Oxford hub for UK quantum systems, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Infleqtion is expanding its Oxford presence, building on the UK’s quantum investment and a hub with 18+ research institutes.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Quantum Networking Delivers Keys. The Quantum Internet Needs A Repeater, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Quantum networking is the business of moving quantum information between machines that sit in different places, and almost everything sold under that name today does one narrow job. It delivers encryption keys over optical fibre one photon at a time. Anyone listening in changes what arrives, and giv
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Sources
Related projects
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