The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) has released a new report exploring the UK’s pioneering work in developing quantum computing testbeds.

Authored by Professor Chander Velu, Head of the Business Model Innovation Research Group at the IfM, and Keith Norman, formerly a Research Associate at IfM and now with the UK’s Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (QCi3) Hub, the report, NQCC Quantum Computing Testbed Pilot Study was carried out in collaboration with the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC).

Building the UK’s quantum future

Established by the UK Government through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the NQCC is a national laboratory based at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. It aims to accelerate the development and scaling of quantum computing technologies – a sector increasingly recognised as a strategic global priority.

In partnership with Innovate UK, the NQCC launched its £30 million Testbed Programme in 2023 to create and benchmark different quantum computing platforms. Seven companies – Aegiq, Infleqtion, ORCA Computing, Oxford Ionics, Quantum Motion, QuEra Computing, and Rigetti – were selected to deliver cutting-edge testbeds spanning photonic, trapped-ion, superconducting, and silicon-spin technologies.

“The NQCC testbeds are an extraordinary national effort to develop, test and showcase multiple quantum hardware approaches,” said Professor Velu. “They represent a ‘living lab’ model that not only advances the technology but also builds the surrounding business and innovation ecosystem required to realise its economic and societal benefits.”

Exploring the Business and Ecosystem Dimensions

While much of the public attention on quantum computing focuses on hardware breakthroughs, this IfM–NQCC pilot study examines the business, economic and ecosystem enablers that will allow the technology to scale successfully.

Drawing on interviews with the testbed firms and key stakeholders from across the UK and international quantum communities, the report highlights the testbed programme’s major strengths – including the NQCC’s role as a lead customer, the provision of world-class technical facilities, and its collaborative innovation model that brings together government, academia, and industry. “The collaborative innovation model is a key distinguishing characteristic of the NQCC quantum computing testbed programme,”emphasised Dr Norman. 

Participants praised the UK’s open approach to international collaboration and the NQCC’s unique position as a neutral convenor. As one interviewee noted, “By having a physical centre and a physical presence there, you actually create a type of community connection that you can’t so well create otherwise.”

Key findings and strategic initiatives

The report identifies several priorities to ensure the long-term success of the UK’s quantum ecosystem:

• Linking technology benchmarking with real-world applications through programmes such as SparQ, enabling testbed vendors to align technical advances with user needs.
• Strengthening the supply chain by mapping critical capabilities – from photonics to packaging and cloud integration – and creating a directory of UK and international suppliers.
• Supporting “anchor tenants” such as Riverlane and Phasecraft, whose presence attracts participation and investment from other players in the ecosystem.
• Testing new business models for intermediate technologies and quantum-inspired computing applications to prepare industry for full-scale quantum systems.
• Building quantum leadership and business skills, complementing technical expertise with commercial and strategic capabilities.
• Developing supply-chain and technology roadmaps to help the UK identify where it can lead globally in quantum hardware and services.

The study concludes that the UK’s mission-driven, open innovation approach - where government acts as a customer through the NQCC – offers a strong foundation for national and international collaboration.

A mission-driven approach to quantum innovation

The authors advocate a mission-oriented strategy, aligned with the UK’s National Strategy Missions, to demonstrate how quantum computing can address grand societal challenges such as climate resilience, financial stability or improving hybrid classical–quantum forecasting of the weather. By framing the adoption of quantum computing within such grand societal challenges may catalyse private-sector innovation, enabling the UK to accelerate both technological maturity and economic impact.

“The testbed programme demonstrates how national innovation models can foster not just new technology, but new ecosystems,” said Professor Velu. “Our findings show the importance of connecting technical excellence with business model innovation and capability building to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of this transformative field.”

About the authors

Chander Velu is Professor of Innovation and Economics at the Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, where he heads the Business Model Innovation Research Group.

Keith Norman was a Research Associate at the Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge for the duration of this pilot study. He now works in an industrial engagement role at the Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (QCi3) Hub, from which he has recently been seconded into the Office for Quantum.

Download the Report

The full report, NQCC Quantum Computing Testbed Pilot Study, is available to download here (PDF).