UK quantum innovators forge APAC connections during National Quantum Technology Showcase
Business matchmaking meetings in Oxford and Cambridge open doors to commercial discussions
Eleven of the UK’s quantum pioneers met technology giants and venture capitalists from the Asia Pacific region during two days of business matchmaking meetings alongside the recent UK National Quantum Technology Showcase event. Several of the companies expect to progress commercial discussions as a result.
The UK National Quantum Technology Showcase brings together academia, industry and government to highlight advances in quantum technology. The 2024 Showcase, held in November, included two days of business matchmaking meetings at the quantum hub on the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxford, and at Clare College, Cambridge.
The meetings were organised for UK companies participating in the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme, a government-funded initiative that helps British scaleups unlock commercial opportunities in 11 markets across the Asia Pacific region.
The corporations from APAC which attended included Fujitsu and Qunasys from Japan, Qunova Computing and Quantum Intelligence from South Korea, and Taiwania Capital and Mediatek from Taiwan.
The UK companies given the opportunity to present their technologies to these Asian corporations included:
Element Six, a leader in the design, development and production of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide advanced materials
Quantum Software Lab, a quantum software development research facility hosted by The University of Edinburgh with the UK National Quantum Computing Centre
Wave Photonics, a designer ofintegrated photonics which uses scalable, high-volume semiconductor fabrication processes to make chips that use light
Phasecraft, which creates quantum algorithms that accelerate the practical application of quantum computing.
Companies participating in the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme benefit from market entry guidance, business development support and introduction to potential partners and customers, such as those involved in this business matchmaking event. The programme is delivered on behalf of the government by international business development consultancy Intralink.
“The business matching meetings organised by the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme gave us an insight into the exciting technologies under development in the quantum space in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. This has enabled us to identify opportunities for us to accelerate the deployment and commercialisation of these technologies via photonic integration.”
Nan Chiu, Investment Principal at Taiwania Capital, said: “We’re always looking for cutting-edge technology in the high-performance computing sector. The business matchmaking sessions enabled us to engage with UK companies that have strong scientific foundations, as well as significant market potential. The UK has a robust ecosystem in quantum computing and the sessions completely changed my perceptions of the commercialisation opportunities for this technology.”
Sungmin Lee, Technical Leader at Korea-based Qunova Computing, added: “The meetings we held with potential UK partners were very useful and, as a result, we’ve created collaborative relationships and working models with several of the companies.”
Jeremy Shaw, who leads the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme at Intralink, said:
“There’s growing interest in British innovation throughout the APAC region - and this is an opportunity UK tech firms should not hesitate to capitalise on.
“Carefully curated business matchmaking meetings, such as those we arranged during the National Quantum Technology Showcase, are a highly effective way to introduce some of our most pioneering technology companies to potential customers and partners in APAC. We look forward to supporting the progress of the companies that took part.”
About Intralink
Intralink is a business development consultancy specialising in international markets. It helps companies secure customers, partners and investors overseas; it enables corporates to thrive through global collaboration; and it helps governments to grow their exports and attract foreign investment. Founded in 1990, the company has more than 20 locations including Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Silicon Valley, LA, Boston, Washington, Toronto, Oxford, London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Helsinki, Poznan and Tel Aviv. See more at www.intralinkgroup.com
techUK International Policy and Trade Programme activities
techUK supports members with their international trade plans and aspirations. We help members to understand market opportunities, tackle market access barriers, and build partnerships in their target market. Visit the programme page here.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Daniel Clarke
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
Policy and Public Affairs - Team Assistant, techUK
Oliver Alderson
Policy and Public Affairs - Team Assistant, techUK
Oliver is the team assistant for the Policy and Public Affairs teams, joining techUK in November of 2023. He assists the teams admistrative support, communication, and event production.
Prior to working at techUK, Oliver studied at Swansea and Bristol universities, attaining a masters in Policy Research. During this time he competed in debating competitions around the country where he discussed and deliberated various policy issues. Between his studies Oliver acted as a student assistant in mental health research for the SMaRteN student network.
We are excited to announce our Growth Plan, which outlines how supporting the UK tech sector will drive growth for the benefit of every nation and region in the UK
