On May 8, 2026, a Korean quantum delegation led by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) conducted a strategic visit to the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in New York. The initiative was supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and organized by the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) under the Deeptech Incubator Project for Startups (DIPS) program, with the goal of accelerating global technology commercialization for South Korea’s quantum startups.
As the lead institution for the quantum sector, KIST utilized its Global Bridge Program, developed in collaboration with IBM, to facilitate direct technical exchanges between IBM researchers and startup founders. These sessions allowed participants to identify concrete pathways for partnerships and gain insights into the latest quantum trends, laying the groundwork for joint research, proof-of-concept projects, and future commercialization.
Representatives of the Korean quantum startups engaged in a strategic technology exchange session with George Tulevski, Program Director at IBM Research Think Lab, centered on the architecture and operational framework of the IBM Quantum System Two. Discussions further addressed the evolving global quantum ecosystem, industrial commercialization pathways, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration in quantum technologies.
The delegation consisted of five quantum startups, along with participants from Kyung Hee University’s Department of Advanced Business and related ventures. The five startups included QUAD, specializing in superconducting nanowire single-photon detector technology for quantum communication and defense; OptiQ-Labs, which develops laser-based optical modules for ion-trap systems; SLEEX, focused on combining quantum LiDAR with electric field sensing for underwater navigation; Elixir, which specializes in quantum-classical hybrid algorithms for data analysis and AI modeling; and SQK (QMEDIC), which develops physics-constrained medical imaging AI solutions for enhanced CT and MRI reconstruction.
On May 19, the IBM Quantum Connect APAC: Seoul event will be held at Conrad Seoul, bringing together IBM Quantum leaders and technical experts to discuss industrial applications and global collaboration models for quantum computing. Key topics will include IBM’s technology roadmap, quantum algorithm applications, and strategies for building global quantum ecosystems. According to KIST, the Global Bridge Program, in collaboration with IBM, is a catalyst for the global market expansion of South Korea’s quantum industry.
Source: KIST Connects Korean Quantum Startups with IBM to Accelerate Global Commercialization (PR Newswire)