Updated 11 October 2026
Quantum in the UK, from the national programme that began in 2014 to the 5 research hubs running now, the National Quantum Computing Centre and the 138 companies and start-ups in this directory. 57 national facts below, each with its source; figures are shown exactly as published and never added together.
£270m
The £270 million UK National Quantum Technologies Programme was announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in 2013.
· Source: Quantum technologies: a new era for the UK, Innovate UK on GOV.UK, 23 March 2015 (gov.uk)
Note: Government sources date the programme itself from 2014: the National Quantum Strategy says 'In 2014 we set up the National Quantum Technologies Programme'. The programme was announced in 2013 and began in 2014.
2014
The government describes the National Quantum Technologies Programme as set up in 2014 and as the first programme of its kind in the world.
Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
£315m
At the Autumn Budget 2018 the government extended the National Quantum Technologies Programme with £235 million, which with £80 million announced in September 2018 for the four hubs meant £315 million for the programme between 2019 and 2024.
· Source: New funding puts UK at the forefront of cutting edge quantum technologies, GOV.UK, 1 November 2018 (gov.uk)
Note: In July 2019 the government described the hub renewal as '£94 million of government investment' for a further five years, which differs from the £80 million figure given in September 2018. Both are official figures.
15 March 2023
The government published the National Quantum Strategy on 15 March 2023.
Source: National Quantum Strategy publication page, GOV.UK (gov.uk)
2024-2034
The National Quantum Strategy says the 2024 to 2034 programme will be delivered in two five-year phases.
Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
15 March 2023
Goal 1 of the National Quantum Strategy is to ensure the UK is home to world-leading quantum science and engineering, growing UK knowledge and skills.
Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
15 March 2023
Goal 2 of the National Quantum Strategy is to support business, making the UK the go-to place for quantum businesses.
Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
15 March 2023
Goal 3 of the National Quantum Strategy is to drive the use of quantum technologies in the UK to deliver benefits for the economy.
Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
15 March 2023
Goal 4 of the National Quantum Strategy is to create a national and international regulatory framework that supports innovation.
Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
15%
The National Quantum Strategy sets a target that by 2033 the UK will have a 15% share of the global quantum technologies market.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
15%
The National Quantum Strategy sets a target that by 2033 the UK will have a 15% share of global private equity investment into quantum technology companies.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
1,000
The National Quantum Strategy sets a target to fund an additional 1,000 postgraduate research students in quantum-relevant disciplines by 2033.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
The UK Quantum Missions in full: goals, deadlines and related hubs
The Chancellor launched the five Quantum Missions in the Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023. Source
Mission 1 · by 2035
By 2035, there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers capable of running 1 trillion operations and supporting applications that provide benefits well in excess of classical supercomputers across key sectors of the economy.
Source: gov.uk
Mission 2 · by 2035
By 2035, the UK will have deployed the world's most advanced quantum network at scale, pioneering the future quantum internet.
Source: gov.uk
Mission 3 · by 2030
By 2030, every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions, helping those with chronic illness live healthier, longer lives through early diagnosis and treatment.
Source: gov.uk
Mission 4 · by 2030
By 2030, quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft, providing next-generation accuracy for resilience that is independent of satellite signals.
Source: gov.uk
Mission 5 · by 2030
By 2030, mobile, networked quantum sensors will have unlocked new situational awareness capabilities, exploited across critical infrastructure in the transport, telecoms, energy, and defence sectors.
Source: gov.uk
Each figure is shown as its source states it. Some overlap (for example, sensing and navigation appears in more than one line of the March 2026 package), so they should not be added together.
£153m
The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Commercialising Quantum Technologies challenge provided £153 million from 2020 to 2025, matched by £205 million from industry.
· Source: Our programme, UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (UKRI) (uknqt.ukri.org)
over £1bn
The National Quantum Strategy states that the National Quantum Technologies Programme brought over £1 billion of investment over the period 2014 to 2024.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
Note: Sources give different totals. The Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (June 2025) says the programme 'has invested over £1.1 billion since 2014'. The March 2026 government press release says it has been backed by 'more than £1 billion in public funding'.
over £1.1bn
The Digital and Technologies Sector Plan states that the National Quantum Technologies Programme has invested over £1.1 billion since 2014.
· Source: Industrial Strategy: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (accessible PDF), DSIT, June 2025 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Note: Differs from the National Quantum Strategy's 'over £1 billion' for 2014 to 2024; the later figure may cover a longer period.
£2.5bn
The National Quantum Strategy commits to a ten-year, £2.5 billion quantum research and innovation programme running from 2024 to 2034.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
£1bn
The National Quantum Strategy aims to generate an additional £1 billion of private investment into the programme.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
£1bn
The March 2026 package includes £1 billion to procure large-scale quantum computers built in the UK by the early 2030s, through a programme called ProQure: Scaling UK Quantum Computing.
Note: The government described this as the first commitment of its kind by any country. The Digital and Technologies Sector Plan Year One Update (June 2026) calls it 'up to £1 billion' and says the first phase of ProQure is live.
over £1bn
The March 2026 package includes over £1 billion over the next four years for quantum technology development, skills and facilities, in addition to the £1 billion for procurement.
£500m+ and £400m+
Of that, over £500 million is for quantum computing and over £400 million for sensing and navigation and the related skills and infrastructure.
£125m and £205m
The March 2026 package names £125 million for quantum networking and £205 million for quantum sensing and navigation.
£13.8m
The March 2026 package adds £13.8 million for the five National Quantum Research Hubs delivered by UKRI.
£90m and £20m
The March 2026 package includes an additional £90 million for quantum infrastructure and £20 million for skills and commercialisation programmes.
100
Under the March 2026 announcement, the TechFirst programme will offer up to 100 fully funded internships with quantum companies.
£670m
On 23 June 2025 the government announced £670 million to accelerate the development and adoption of quantum computers, as part of the Industrial Strategy and the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan.
· Source: Tech innovators backed to set up and scale up in Britain through Industrial Strategy, GOV.UK, 23 June 2025 (gov.uk)
Note: No official source we opened states the period for the £670 million. The NQCC's part of it is a 10-year funding settlement.
£1,013m
UKRI's allocation following the 2025 Spending Review includes about £1,013 million for quantum technologies over 2026-27 to 2029-30.
· Source: Budget allocations for UK Research and Innovation, UKRI, 17 December 2025 (ukri.org)
Note: Two budget lines: £426m (strategic government and societal priorities) and £588m (supporting innovative companies). UKRI says the values may change as delivery plans are finalised. The Spending Review 2025 document itself contains no quantum-specific line.
over £1bn
The Digital and Technologies Sector Plan Year One Update says UKRI funding to 2029/30 includes over £1 billion for quantum.
· Source: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan: Year One Update (PDF), DSIT, June 2026 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
£51.2m
The government has announced £51.2 million for a new National Cryogenics Facility at Daresbury to support the scaling of quantum computing.
· Source: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan: Year One Update (PDF), DSIT, June 2026 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
£273m; £692m
Innovate UK has awarded £273 million to quantum companies since 2018, which the government says helped catalyse £692 million in private investment.
· Source: Industrial Strategy: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (accessible PDF), DSIT, June 2025 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Project by project: £733.3m of sourced funding across 25 UK quantum projects.
£120m
In November 2014 EPSRC announced £120 million for four Quantum Technology Hubs led by the universities of Birmingham, Glasgow, Oxford and York, as part of the £270 million programme.
· Source: UK unveils £120m quantum technology hubs, Physics World, 26 November 2014 (physicsworld.com)
Note: Reported by Physics World; announced by Greg Clark, then Minister for Universities, Science and Cities.
1 November 2018
The £235 million announced at the Autumn Budget 2018 included the creation of a National Quantum Computing Centre, a quantum challenge to commercialise the technology, and new Centres for Doctoral Training.
Source: New funding puts UK at the forefront of cutting edge quantum technologies, GOV.UK, 1 November 2018 (gov.uk)
£214m
The UK National Quantum Technologies Programme reports £214 million invested in Quantum Technology Hubs.
Source: Our programme, UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (UKRI) (uknqt.ukri.org)
Note: Stated on the programme website without a date range.
£160m
On 26 July 2024 Science Secretary Peter Kyle announced five Quantum Technology Research Hubs, supported by a £160 million investment.
· Source: Five hubs launched to ensure the UK benefits from quantum future, UKRI, 26 July 2024 (ukri.org)
Note: UKRI gives £160 million in total, made up of £106 million from EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC and NIHR plus partner cash and in-kind contributions worth more than £54 million. The GOV.UK press release headline says 'over £100 million'. The figures differ because one includes partner contributions.
£106m
The public contribution to the five 2024 hubs is £106 million from EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
· Source: Over £100 million boost to quantum hubs to develop life-saving blood tests and resilient security systems, GOV.UK, 26 July 2024 (gov.uk)
5
The five hubs are Q-BIOMED (UCL and Cambridge, biomedical sensing), QuSIT (Birmingham, sensing, imaging and timing), IQN (Heriot-Watt, quantum networks), QCI3 (Oxford, quantum computing) and QEPNT (Glasgow, position, navigation and timing).
· Source: Over £100 million boost to quantum hubs to develop life-saving blood tests and resilient security systems, GOV.UK, 26 July 2024 (gov.uk)
25 October 2024
Science Minister Lord Vallance opened the National Quantum Computing Centre's 4,000 square metre facility on the Harwell Campus on 25 October 2024.
Source: New national quantum laboratory to open up access to quantum computing, GOV.UK, 25 October 2024 (gov.uk)
Note: The government said the facility was built with an initial £93 million from UKRI through EPSRC and STFC, with a further £50 million invested by UKRI, and would house 12 quantum computers.
2020
The NQCC was officially launched as a UKRI centre in 2020.
Source: NQCC Annual Report 2025, National Quantum Computing Centre (nqcc.ac.uk)
£30m, 7 testbeds
The NQCC funded seven quantum computing testbeds through a £30 million investment via Innovate UK, which were delivered to the NQCC in 2025 across five hardware types.
· Source: NQCC Annual Report 2025, National Quantum Computing Centre (nqcc.ac.uk)
Note: Providers: Infleqtion and QuEra (neutral atom), Aegiq and ORCA Computing (photonic), Oxford Ionics (trapped ion), Rigetti Computing (superconducting) and Quantum Motion (silicon spin).
100 qubits
Infleqtion delivered a 100-qubit quantum computer to the NQCC, announced in March 2026.
23 June 2025
The Digital and Technologies Sector Plan gives the National Quantum Computing Centre a 10-year funding commitment, one of the first organisations to receive one.
Source: Industrial Strategy: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (accessible PDF), DSIT, June 2025 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
QCi3
The national research hub for quantum computing, led by the University of Oxford. It works on scalable and networked quantum computers.
Led by University of Oxford
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Computing, Networks, Software and algorithms
IQN
A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
Led by Heriot-Watt University
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Networks, Communications
QEPNT
A national research hub for quantum position, navigation and timing, led by the University of Glasgow. It aims to reduce reliance on satellite signals such as GPS.
Led by University of Glasgow
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing, Defence and security
Q-BIOMED
A national research hub that develops quantum sensors for earlier diagnosis of disease. UCL and the University of Cambridge lead it.
Led by University College London
Funding: £24m
Themes: Sensing, Biomedical and health, Imaging
QuSIT
A national research hub for quantum sensing, imaging and timing, led by the University of Birmingham.
Led by University of Birmingham
Funding: £22m
Themes: Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation
Published counts of UK quantum companies range widely because each uses a different definition. All are shown, with their definitions.
10 June 2026
The government launched a Quantum Growth Alliance of UK corporates to encourage adoption of quantum technologies in Industrial Strategy sectors.
Source: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan: Year One Update (PDF), DSIT, June 2026 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
160+
The National Quantum Strategy (2023) states that there are at least 160 companies active in the UK quantum sector.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
Note: Counts differ greatly by definition; see the Beauhurst figures.
771
A Beauhurst study for the National Physical Laboratory identified 771 active UK companies with quantum-related activities.
· Source: NPL Quantum Ecosystem Mapping Report, Beauhurst for the National Physical Laboratory (2025) (beauhurst-assets.fly.storage.tigris.dev)
Note: Definition: companies that have carried out or are carrying out quantum-related activities that might require NPL's quantum capabilities, found by 49 keyword searches of company, grant and patent descriptions. Many are not specialist quantum firms. Equity data runs to Q3 2024; the report was published in early 2025.
322
Beauhurst tracks 322 active quantum companies headquartered in the UK, as of 6 October 2026.
· Source: Top 50 Quantum Companies in the UK, Beauhurst, October 2026 (beauhurst.com)
Note: Definition: UK-headquartered, within Beauhurst's quantum industry classification and active at Companies House. Narrower than the 771 NPL cohort.
£1.73bn
According to Beauhurst, UK quantum companies have raised £1.73 billion in equity funding to date, as of October 2026.
· Source: Top 50 Quantum Companies in the UK, Beauhurst, October 2026 (beauhurst.com)
£761m
Companies in the NPL/Beauhurst cohort raised £761 million in equity in the first three quarters of 2024, of which a single £515 million deal by RSK Group made up 67.7%.
· Source: NPL Quantum Ecosystem Mapping Report, Beauhurst for the National Physical Laboratory (2025) (beauhurst-assets.fly.storage.tigris.dev)
Note: The broad cohort includes companies that are not mainly quantum businesses.
£260m
Oxford Quantum Circuits raised £260 million at Series C, backed by £100 million from the British Business Bank, its largest ever direct investment.
· Source: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan: Year One Update (PDF), DSIT, June 2026 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Note: As reported in the government's Year One Update, which describes it as the largest quantum Series C globally.
$715m
According to the NQCC, the companies in its testbed programme raised a cumulative $715 million in 2025.
· Source: NQCC Annual Report 2025, National Quantum Computing Centre (nqcc.ac.uk)
This directory lists 138 UK quantum companies and start-ups. London has 67 organisations (32% of those placed), more than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland together (32).
London has 67 organisations (32% of those placed), more than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland together (32).
| Nation or region | Organisations |
|---|---|
| London | 67 |
| South East | 38 |
| Scotland | 23 |
| East of England | 20 |
| South West | 19 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 13 |
| North West | 8 |
| Wales | 7 |
| East Midlands | 5 |
| West Midlands | 5 |
| North East | 4 |
| Northern Ireland | 2 |
The most common specialisms are quantum hardware (32), quantum software (32) and quantum components (30), out of 61 different specialisms listed.
13 countries
The UK hosted the Quantum Development Group in London, bringing together 13 countries.
· Source: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan: Year One Update (PDF), DSIT, June 2026 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
3rd
According to the National Quantum Strategy (2023), the UK ranks third for the quality and impact of its quantum science.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
2nd
According to the National Quantum Strategy (2023), the UK ranks second in the world to the US for the number of quantum companies.
· Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
15 March 2023
According to the National Quantum Strategy (2023), the UK has attracted more disclosed private equity investment in quantum than any other European country.
Source: National Quantum Strategy (accessible webpage), DSIT, March 2023 (gov.uk)
2nd
According to the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (2025), the UK ranks second globally in quantum investment and its quantum footprint ranked second worldwide in 2023.
· Source: Industrial Strategy: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (accessible PDF), DSIT, June 2025 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Note: The Sector Plan cites the National Quantum Strategy for these rankings.
3 of top 5
According to the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan Year One Update, citing ECIPE (2025), the UK is home to three of the top five quantum technology clusters globally.
· Source: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan: Year One Update (PDF), DSIT, June 2026 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
£212bn
The government cites estimates that quantum could create more than 100,000 jobs and £212 billion of economic impact by 2045.
· Source: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan: Year One Update (PDF), DSIT, June 2026 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Note: Sources disagree: the March 2026 press release gives £200 billion in its summary and £212 billion in its body text. The Year One Update gives up to £212 billion, citing Oxford Economics (2025).
December 2013
Chancellor announces £270 million for a National Quantum Technologies Programme in the Autumn Statement.
Quantum technologies: a new era for the UK, Innovate UK on GOV.UK, 23 March 2015
26 November 2014
EPSRC announces £120 million for four Quantum Technology Hubs led by Birmingham, Glasgow, Oxford and York.
UK unveils £120m quantum technology hubs, Physics World, 26 November 2014
23 March 2015
Innovate UK and EPSRC publish a national strategy for quantum technologies drawn up by the Quantum Technologies Strategic Advisory Board.
Quantum technologies: a new era for the UK, Innovate UK on GOV.UK, 23 March 2015
1 March 2016
Government announces £37 million for the National Quantum Technologies Programme alongside doctoral training funding.
6 September 2018
Chancellor announces £80 million over five years to continue the quantum hubs.
1 November 2018
Autumn Budget extends the programme with £235 million, including a new National Quantum Computing Centre; £315 million in total for 2019 to 2024.
New funding puts UK at the forefront of cutting edge quantum technologies, GOV.UK, 1 November 2018
2020
National Quantum Computing Centre officially launched as a UKRI centre.
15 March 2023
Government publishes the National Quantum Strategy with a £2.5 billion, ten-year programme for 2024 to 2034.
22 November 2023
Five Quantum Missions launched at the Autumn Statement.
26 July 2024
Five new Quantum Technology Research Hubs announced, backed by £160 million including partner contributions.
Five hubs launched to ensure the UK benefits from quantum future, UKRI, 26 July 2024
25 October 2024
Lord Vallance opens the National Quantum Computing Centre facility at Harwell.
New national quantum laboratory to open up access to quantum computing, GOV.UK, 25 October 2024
2025
Seven quantum computing testbeds funded through Innovate UK delivered to the NQCC.
23 June 2025
Industrial Strategy and Digital and Technologies Sector Plan announce £670 million for quantum computing and a 10-year settlement for the NQCC.
7 November 2025
UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2025 held at the Business Design Centre, London.
17 December 2025
UKRI publishes Spending Review allocations including about £1,013 million for quantum technologies for 2026-27 to 2029-30.
Budget allocations for UK Research and Innovation, UKRI, 17 December 2025
17 March 2026
Government announces a quantum programme worth up to £2 billion, including £1 billion to procure large-scale quantum computers.
10 June 2026
DSIT publishes the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan Year One Update, reporting the launch of ProQure and a Quantum Growth Alliance.
Digital and Technologies Sector Plan: Year One Update (PDF), DSIT, June 2026
The UK's national centre for quantum computing at Harwell, Oxfordshire, funded through UKRI and delivered by EPSRC and STFC, which translates research into innovation and hosts quantum computing testbeds.
The UK's national metrology institute, which supports the National Quantum Technologies Programme with measurement, standards and skills through its Quantum Metrology Institute and NPL Quantum Programme.
The national funding body that brings together the seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK, and delivers most public quantum research and innovation funding.
The UKRI research council for engineering and physical sciences, which funds the Quantum Technology Research Hubs and quantum doctoral training.
The UK's innovation agency, part of UKRI, which funds quantum businesses and runs the National Quantum Technologies Showcase.
The government department responsible for the National Quantum Strategy, the Quantum Missions and quantum policy.
The UKRI council that runs national laboratories and campuses, including the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory at Harwell where the NQCC is based, and co-sponsors the NQCC.
An annual one-day exhibition and conference organised by Innovate UK with the National Quantum Technologies Programme; the 2026 event is on 6 November 2026 in London.
The government published the National Quantum Strategy on 15 March 2023. The National Quantum Strategy commits to a ten-year, £2.5 billion quantum research and innovation programme running from 2024 to 2034.
The Chancellor launched the five Quantum Missions in the Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023. Computing: By 2035, there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers capable of running 1 trillion operations and supporting applications that provide benefits well in excess of classical supercomputers across key sectors of the economy. Networks: By 2035, the UK will have deployed the world's most advanced quantum network at scale, pioneering the future quantum internet. Healthcare sensing: By 2030, every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions, helping those with chronic illness live healthier, longer lives through early diagnosis and treatment. Navigation: By 2030, quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft, providing next-generation accuracy for resilience that is independent of satellite signals. Mobile sensing: By 2030, mobile, networked quantum sensors will have unlocked new situational awareness capabilities, exploited across critical infrastructure in the transport, telecoms, energy, and defence sectors.
It depends on the definition. The National Quantum Strategy (2023) states that there are at least 160 companies active in the UK quantum sector. Beauhurst tracks 322 active quantum companies headquartered in the UK, as of 6 October 2026. A Beauhurst study for the National Physical Laboratory identified 771 active UK companies with quantum-related activities. This directory lists 138 companies and start-ups with a public profile it can source.
On 17 March 2026 Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a quantum programme worth up to £2 billion of government investment.
They are multi-year research consortia, led by universities with industry partners, funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health and Care Research. 5 are active: QCi3 (University of Oxford), IQN (Heriot-Watt University), QEPNT (University of Glasgow), Q-BIOMED (University College London) and QuSIT (University of Birmingham). 4 earlier hubs have finished.
Project-level figures that a source states add up to £733.3m across 25 of the 70 projects listed. The largest is ISCF Commercialising Quantum Technologies Challenge at £174m. This is not a full account of UK public spending on quantum, since many projects have no published project-level figure.
London has 67 of the 211 organisations with a location (32%), followed by South East (38), Scotland (23) and East of England (20). By city, the most companies are in London (41), Cambridge (12), Glasgow (11) and Oxford (8).
Every project lists the public sources for its facts, such as UKRI grant records and official announcements. Company profiles come from Entangled Future and news from Quantum Zeitgeist. All 213 organisations and 70 projects can be downloaded as CSV or JSON and reused with credit.
