A startup creating a quantum computing chip is moving its headquarters from Michigan to Chicago, setting up shop as the first tenant in a new development on the West Side.
EeroQ said Thursday that it's relocating its headquarters to The Terminal, a new innovation workspace from IBT Group located at 1334 N. Kostner Ave. in Humboldt Park. EeroQ is leasing almost 10,000 square feet of engineering lab and office space, and comes as the city works to position itself as an emerging hub for quantum computing talent.
Last year Chicago became home to the first accelerator program in the country that's dedicated to startups focused on quantum science and technology. That came on the heels of the U.S. Department of Energy's 2020 announcement of five new quantum research centers across the U.S., two of which are in the Chicago area: Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Both facilities will receive $115 million in funding over five years.
The University of Illinois also announced a quantum computing institute that will explore ways to create and connect quantum computers and networks, which is part of a $25 million, five-year award from the National Science Foundation.
Chicago is also home to Super.tech, a startup that's developing software that makes quantum computing faster and more efficient. It was one of Chicago Inno's 22 Startups to Watch in 2022.
EeroQ says its ultimate goal is to build a large-scale quantum computer based on its quantum chip, which involves individual electrons floating above pools of superfluid helium.
EeroQ CEO Nick Farina said in a statement that Chicago has a "world-class base of quantum computing talent," adding that Chicago was "by far the best option for us" during its HQ search.
“Chicago will become a leading center for quantum computing,” Farina said.
