Quantum World Congress 2025 In Review

As the global quantum ecosystem gathered during the International Year of Quantum, QWC 2025 delivered three days of breakthroughs, bold leadership, and real momentum across science, industry, policy, and investment. From record-setting technologies to global policy coordination, the conversations didn’t just explore the future—they helped shape it.

Colorful gradient background with the text 'CLICK TO EXPLORE' in bold black letters with white outline.
A colorful gradient background with text saying QWC2025 BY THE NUMBERS in bold dark letters with white outline.
Colorful gradient background with bold text that reads 'Keynote Highlights'
Text reading 'Global Presence' on a colorful gradient background.
Graphic with the text '2025 Sponsors' on a gradient background of blue to purple.
Text reading '2025 Speakers' on a gradient background with shades of purple, blue, and cyan.
Text reading 'Startup Pitch' in bold black letters with a white outline on a blue gradient background.
Text reading 'Global Industry Challenge' on a colorful gradient background.
Colorful background with the text 'Leadership Awards' in bold, dark blue letters with a white outline.
Colorful background with a text overlay that reads 'Video Library' in bold, black letters with a white outline. 
BY THE NUMBERS

2025 Wasn’t just another conference — it was a milestone

In the International Year of Quantum, QWC 2025 marked a defining checkpoint for the field. The scale of participation—from global policymakers and national labs to founders and investors—signaled how far quantum has come and how urgently the world is investing in what comes next. These numbers reflect more than attendance; they represent a growing alignment around quantum’s role in shaping future industries, economies, and security.

The Year in Review

#QWC2025 In Numbers

Global Community

2,000+

Attendees

International Reach

30+

Countries Represented

Across the United States

33

U.S. States Represented

The Quantum Ecosystem

500+

Unique Organizations

Across the Program
100+ Sessions
5 Tracks
9 Workshops
Expert Voices

300+

Speakers

Researchers, executives, policymakers, investors, builders, and quantum leaders from around the world.

The Global View

11

National Quantum Updates

Perspectives and progress reports from quantum ecosystems around the world. 

FEATURED KEYNOTES

Mainstage Moments That Made Waves

From headline-making announcements to thought leadership that shaped the global conversation, QWC 2025 keynotes delivered moments that extended far beyond the room. Here are a few of our favorites.

Featured
Delivering the Future: USPS CIO Pritha Mehra on Quantum, AI, and Trust
Delivering the Future: USPS CIO Pritha Mehra on Quantum, AI, and Trust

USPS CIO Pritha Mehra shared how the Postal Service is modernizing its vast logistics network with AI, preparing for post-quantum cryptography, and eyeing quantum optimization as the next frontier.

Read more →
The Quantum Frontier: India’s Steady, Step-by-Step Strategy
The Quantum Frontier: India’s Steady, Step-by-Step Strategy

Ambassador Vinay Kwatra outlined India’s National Quantum Mission and a step-by-step, partnership-driven strategy to ensure quantum’s benefits reach citizens and industry alike.

Read more →
Accenture: Trust, Use-Cases, and the Race to Post-Quantum Readiness
Accenture: Trust, Use-Cases, and the Race to Post-Quantum Readiness

Accenture’s Edy Liongosari makes the case for quantum that works: earn public trust, prove value with real applications, and get serious about post-quantum readiness.

Read more →
Boeing’s Jay Lowell: Building the First Global Quantum Entanglement Networks
Boeing’s Jay Lowell: Building the First Global Quantum Entanglement Networks

At #QWC2025, Boeing’s John “Jay” Lowell outlined the path from an entanglement source on the ISS to next year’s Q4S satellite, which will demonstrate entanglement swapping in orbit—a step toward building global quantum networks that span borders and serve science and public good.

Read more →
IBM’s Jay Gambetta: From Quantum Devices to Quantum Computers—and a New Era of Algorithm Discovery
IBM’s Jay Gambetta: From Quantum Devices to Quantum Computers—and a New Era of Algorithm Discovery

IBM’s Jay Gambetta told #QWC2025 that the field has crossed a threshold: we now have true quantum computers—not just devices—able to run beyond classical brute force. His mission: prove verifiable advantage and stay on track for fault tolerance by 2029.

Read more →
Building Quantum Nations: Finland’s Playbook for Tech Sovereignty
Building Quantum Nations: Finland’s Playbook for Tech Sovereignty

In a keynote that blended physics fluency with policy pragmatism, Puisto outlined how Finland is knitting together research excellence, startup dynamism, and trusted international partnerships to build a “quantum nation.”

Read more →
Infleqtion’s Matthew Kinsella on Turning Neutral Atoms into Real-World Advantage
Infleqtion’s Matthew Kinsella on Turning Neutral Atoms into Real-World Advantage

Infleqtion CEO Matthew Kinsella and CTO Pranav Gokhale show how neutral atoms are moving quantum from promise to product.

Read more →
Microsoft: Why Partnership Is Key to Growing the Quantum Ecosystem
Microsoft: Why Partnership Is Key to Growing the Quantum Ecosystem

At Quantum World Congress 2025, Jason Zander (EVP, Strategic Missions & Technologies) and Dr. Charles Tahan (Partner, Microsoft Quantum) laid out Microsoft’s case for a partnership-first path to a useful, fault-tolerant quantum computer—and for building the ecosystem that will make it matter in the real world.

Read more →
Maryland Governor Wes Moore Unveils Bold Blueprint for Quantum at QWC 2025
Maryland Governor Wes Moore Unveils Bold Blueprint for Quantum at QWC 2025

At Quantum World Congress 2025, Maryland Governor Wes Moore delivered an inspiring vision for making Maryland the global capital of quantum.

Read more →
Quantum Now: UMD President Darryll J. Pines on Turning Maryland’s Momentum into Real-World Quantum Impact
Quantum Now: UMD President Darryll J. Pines on Turning Maryland’s Momentum into Real-World Quantum Impact

At Quantum World Congress 2025, University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines delivered a clear message: quantum isn’t a promise on the horizon—it’s here now, and Maryland’s ecosystem is built to turn breakthrough science into deployment.

Read more →
Quantinuum CEO Rajeeb Hazra Outlines Breakthroughs on the Path to Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing at QWC 2025
Quantinuum CEO Rajeeb Hazra Outlines Breakthroughs on the Path to Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing at QWC 2025

At QWC 2025, Quantinuum CEO Dr. Rajeeb Hazra unveiled record-breaking advances in fault-tolerant quantum computing and previewed the company’s next-generation Helios system.

Read more →
Governor Pritzker at Quantum World Congress: Illinois Advances Bold Investments in Quantum Innovation as Part of Global Coalition
Governor Pritzker at Quantum World Congress: Illinois Advances Bold Investments in Quantum Innovation as Part of Global Coalition

Today, at Quantum World Congress, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker delivered a keynote address blending humor, vision, and a clear message: quantum progress is accelerating, but it will succeed only through inclusive, global collaboration.

Read more → 
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION

Where The World Gathers

Quantum World Congress 2025 was global by design and by impact. Delegations from 30+ countries gathered to share priorities, align strategies, and build partnerships shaping the future of quantum. With 11 national quantum updates from around the world, QWC offered a rare, side-by-side view of how governments are investing, coordinating, and competing—turning national ambition into global momentum.

Flag of Argentina

Argentina

Flag of Australia

Australia

Flag of Austria

Austria

Flag of Brazil

Brazil

Flag of Canada

Canada

Flag of Chile

Chile

Flag of Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Flag of Denmark

Denmark

Flag of Estonia

Estonia

Flag of the European Union

European Union

Flag of Finland

Finland

Flag of France

France

Flag of Germany

Germany

Flag of India

India

Flag of Israel

Israel

Flag of Italy

Italy

Flag of Japan

Japan

Flag of the Netherlands

The Netherlands

Flag of New Zealand

New Zealand

Flag of Nigeria

Nigeria

Flag of Norway

Norway

Flag of Poland

Poland

Flag of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Flag of Singapore

Singapore

Flag of South Korea

South Korea

Flag of Spain

Spain

Flag of Sweden

Sweden

Flag of Switzerland

Switzerland

Flag of the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Flag of the United States

United States

Featured
United Kingdom Unveils Next Phase of Quantum Strategy With £500M Mission Funding and New UK–US Tech Partnership
United Kingdom Unveils Next Phase of Quantum Strategy With £500M Mission Funding and New UK–US Tech Partnership

At QWC 2025, the UK shared how it is moving into the next phase of its national quantum program—focused on industrialization, mission delivery, £500M in new funding, large-scale testbeds, and global partnerships including the newly announced UK–US Technology Partnership.

Read more →
Germany Outlines Quantum Strategy Focused on Error-Corrected Systems, Applied Research, and International Collaboration
Germany Outlines Quantum Strategy Focused on Error-Corrected Systems, Applied Research, and International Collaboration

At QWC 2025, Germany outlined a quantum strategy driven by €3B in federal investment, a new Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, ambitious 2030 systems goals, and strong collaboration across Europe, the U.S., and global partners.

Read more →
Switzerland Highlights National Quantum Approach Rooted in Curiosity-Driven Research and Open Innovation
Switzerland Highlights National Quantum Approach Rooted in Curiosity-Driven Research and Open Innovation

At QWC 2025, Switzerland presented its cooperative, bottom-up quantum strategy—emphasizing a strong research base, growing national ecosystem, targeted new funding, and a commitment to international collaboration through SCNAT’s Swiss Quantum Initiative.

Read more →
Australia Turns Research Breakthroughs Into Industry Growth With Record Funding and Expanding Ecosystem
Australia Turns Research Breakthroughs Into Industry Growth With Record Funding and Expanding Ecosystem

At QWC 2025, Australia showcased a major leap from world-class quantum research to large-scale commercialization—highlighting record venture funding, new foundry projects, a billion-dollar photonic computing build, and national strategy delivery led by Quantum Australia.

Read more →
Canada Advances National Quantum Missions and Defense Applications as Global Partnerships Grow
Canada Advances National Quantum Missions and Defense Applications as Global Partnerships Grow

At QWC 2025, Canada outlined major advances in quantum commercialization, international collaboration, DARPA QBI participation, G7 initiatives, and defense-oriented applications—while reinforcing its position as a trusted global partner in quantum research and industry.

Read more →
Finland Accelerates Quantum Growth: New Error-Correction Roadmap, Cleanroom Expansion, and Algorithmic Innovation
Finland Accelerates Quantum Growth: New Error-Correction Roadmap, Cleanroom Expansion, and Algorithmic Innovation

At QWC 2025, Finland unveiled its newly finalized National Quantum Strategy, expanded plans for 150- and 300-qubit systems, new cleanroom infrastructure, a 90-student doctoral pilot, and a flourishing ecosystem spanning full-stack computing, cryogenics, software, and enabling technologies.

Read more →
Japan Expands National Quantum Testbeds, Innovation Hubs, and Global Partnerships
Japan Expands National Quantum Testbeds, Innovation Hubs, and Global Partnerships

At QWC 2025, Japan detailed major expansions to its national quantum ecosystem—including new innovation hubs, $420M in testbed infrastructure, advanced superconducting manufacturing capabilities, and new Japan–EU collaborations to co-develop next-generation quantum computing systems.

Read more →
Denmark Strengthens Quantum Leadership Through EU Strategy, NATO Collaboration, and National Innovation Hubs
Denmark Strengthens Quantum Leadership Through EU Strategy, NATO Collaboration, and National Innovation Hubs

At QWC 2025, Denmark shared major updates to its quantum ecosystem—including new national infrastructure, a landmark use-case catalog, the powerful Mauna QPU, deepened Nordic collaboration, and leadership roles in the EU and NATO’s quantum communities.

Read more →
Sweden Builds Momentum in Quantum With Major Private Investment and Nordic Cross-Border Collaboration
Sweden Builds Momentum in Quantum With Major Private Investment and Nordic Cross-Border Collaboration

At QWC 2025, Jon Wingborg outlined Sweden’s rapidly maturing quantum ecosystem—from the pioneering WAC program and a forthcoming national strategy to fast-growing SMEs, strong industrial engagement, and a new wave of Nordic collaboration focused on resilient critical infrastructure.

Read more →
South Korea Accelerates National Quantum Strategy With New Five-Year Plan and Major Investments
South Korea Accelerates National Quantum Strategy With New Five-Year Plan and Major Investments

At QWC 2025, NRF Director Soon Park outlined South Korea’s rapidly expanding quantum strategy—including $2.3B in planned investments, new QPUs, national fabs, a 10,000-person workforce plan, and expanded international partnerships through QuantERA and bilateral programs with the U.S. and Europe.

Read more →
U.S. Maps Bold New Direction for National Quantum Initiative at Quantum World Congress
U.S. Maps Bold New Direction for National Quantum Initiative at Quantum World Congress

At Quantum World Congress 2025, Brad Blakestad of the White House National Quantum Coordination Office outlined how the United States is updating its National Quantum Initiative—from revitalizing national centers and boosting DARPA’s quantum benchmarking to a five-pillar framework focused on workforce, commercialization, enabling technologies, alliances, and security.

Read more → 
2025 SPONSORS

Powered by the Ecosystem

Quantum World Congress 2025 was made possible by an extraordinary coalition of sponsors and partners spanning industry, government, academia, and investment. Their support reflected more than sponsorship—it signaled confidence in quantum’s commercial readiness and a shared commitment to accelerating real-world impact, bringing together global technology leaders, emerging quantum companies, research institutions, and ecosystem builders to shape a program where breakthroughs met buyers, policy met practice, and innovation moved closer to deployment.

  • Accenture
  • IBM
  • Infleqtion
  • IonQ
  • Microsoft
  • Quantinuum
  • University of Maryland
  • Booz Allen
  • Maryland Department of Commerce
  • Q-CTRL
  • George Mason University
  • APS
  • Australian Government
  • Quantum Australia
  • Boeing
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • GSK
  • Logo for Quantum Brilliance featuring a stylized diamond shape with circuit lines and the company name in black text.
  • AIST
  • Classiq
  • Algorithmiq
  • Aliro
  • Arctic Instruments
  • Bluefors
  • Business Finland
  • Carahsoft
  • EPB Quantum Network powered by Qubitekk
  • Fujitsu
  • Greater Washington Build Here
  • IQM Quantum Computers
  • Kiutra
  • Korea US Quantum Technology Cooperation Center
  • Kvanttinova
  • Modulight
  • Nokia
  • Phasecraft
  • Quantum Economic Development Consortium
  • Quantum Computing Inc.
  • Q-Mill
  • Qrypt
  • Quanscient
  • QuEra Computing Inc.
  • Quintessence Labs
  • Riverlane
  • SemiQon
  • Vexlum
  • VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
  • Zurich Instruments logo with two crossed dark blue lines and light blue text that reads 'Zurich Instruments'.
  • qBraid
  • BosonQ
  • memQ
  • aqora
  • Global Quantum Intelligence
  • Quantum Insider powered by Resonance
  • Consumer Technology Association, producer of CES
  • Deloitte
  • Holland & Knight
  • QSEC George Mason University Quantum Science & Engineering Center
  • Quantum Startup Foundry
  • Across the Pond
  • TedCo
  • Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
  • Fairfax City Economic Development
  • Loudoun Virginia Economic Development
  • Howard County Economic Development Authority
  • Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation Maryland
  • Prince George's County Economic Development Consortium
  • Washington DC Economic Partnership 
2025 SPEAKERS

The Voices Driving Quantum Forward

The 2025 program featured one of the most comprehensive and globally representative speaker lineups in Quantum World Congress history. Across mainstage keynotes, technical sessions, policy forums, and industry deep dives, leaders from companies, startups, governments, national labs, universities, and investment firms brought clarity, candor, and hard-earned insight into where quantum stands—and where it’s headed next—sharing lessons from the front lines on scaling hardware, securing systems, building talent pipelines, aligning international strategy, and translating quantum capability into mission-ready solutions. Explore the representative list below.

  • Black and white photo of a smiling man in a black shirt with a colorful purple and blue gradient background.

    Zulfi Alam

    Corporate Vice President

    Microsoft Quantum

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with long hair, wearing a collared shirt, against a blue and purple gradient background.

    Petra Andren

    CEO

    Quantum Australia

  • Black and white portrait of a man wearing glasses, a collared shirt, and a suit jacket. The background is a gradient of pink to yellow.

    Dr. Seung-Wook Baek

    Director, Division of Quantum Technology

    National Research Foundation of Korea

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with glasses, wearing a striped shirt, with a gradient background from blue to pink.

    Dr. Jonathan Bagger

    CEO

    American Physical Society

  • Black and white photo of a bald man in a suit with a tie, gesturing with both hands, set against a colorful gradient background.

    Naftali Bennett

    Former Israeli Prime Minister

    Board Member, Quantum Source

  • A black-and-white portrait of a smiling man wearing glasses, a dark suit, and a patterned tie with diagrams, set against a gradient background transitioning from blue to purple.

    Dr. David Berkowitz

    Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences

    National Science Foundation

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with short dark hair, wearing a light-colored collared shirt, against a colorful gradient background.

    Dr. Adam Black

    Section Head, Quantum Optics

    U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with glasses, a beard, wearing a button-up shirt, set against a colorful pink and yellow gradient background.

    Dr. Steve Brierley

    Founder & CEO

    Riverlane

  • Dr. Gretchen Campbell

    Dr. Gretchen Campbell

    Associate Vice President for Quantum Research and Education

    University of Maryland

  • Black-and-white photo of a smiling woman with dark, shoulder-length hair, wearing a blazer and a patterned scarf, against a gradient blue to pink background.

    Ana Maria Cetto

    Research Professor, Institute of Physics

    Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

  • Black and white portrait of a man in a suit with a colorful gradient background.

    Martin Charbonneau

    Head of Quantum-Safe Networks

    Nokia

  • Black and white portrait of an older man with glasses, short white hair, and a beard, against a vibrant gradient background of pink, orange, and yellow.

    Dr. Charles Day

    Senior Editor

    Physics Magazine

  • A black-and-white portrait of a smiling man with glasses, dark hair, and a collared shirt and blazer, set against a blue background.

    Niccolo de Masi

    Chairman & CEO

    IonQ

  • Donna Dodson

    Donna Dodson

    Cybersecurity Technologist and Senior Strategic Advisor 

    EvolutionQ

  • Black and white portrait of a man with short dark hair, wearing a checkered shirt, against a gradient background from blue to pink.

    Dr. Marcus Doherty

    Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer

    Quantum Brilliance

  • Black and white portrait of a young man with short dark hair, wearing a suit, against a gradient background from blue to green.

    Dr. JD Dulny

    Vice President and Head of Quantum Information Sciences 

    Booz Allen

  • Black and white headshot of a man in business attire, set against a colorful gradient background.

    Preston Dunlap

    Founder and CEO

    Arkenstone Ventures

  • Black and white portrait of a man wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a suit jacket, against a gradient background of blue and green.

    Dr. Andrew Dzurak

    CEO & Founder

    Diraq

  • A black-and-white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length hair, smiling, against a gradient orange background.

    Kinsey Fabrizio

    President

    Consumer Technology Association

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with short dark hair, wearing a plaid shirt, against a bright green background.

    Dr. Jake Farinholt

    Senior Quantum Physicist

    Booz Allen

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length hair smiling, with a purple and orange gradient background.

    Elana Fine

    Chair of the Board

    Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

  • Black and white portrait of a man with short, wavy hair and a serious expression, wearing a collared shirt, set against a gradient purple and blue background.

    Dr. Jay Gambetta

    IBM Fellow and VP

    IBM Quantum

  • Dr. Erwin Gianchandani

    Dr. Erwin Gianchandani

    Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships

    National Science Foundation

  • Black and white portrait of a young man in a suit, tie, and checkered shirt, smiling, with a gradient background transitioning from blue to purple.

    Dr. Joseph Hagmann

    Quantum Physicist

    MITRE

  • Dr. Michael Hayduk

    Dr. Michael Hayduk

    Deputy Director

    Air Force Research Lab

  • Black and white portrait of a man wearing glasses, a checkered shirt, a patterned tie, and a dark suit jacket, set against a gradient background transitioning from yellow to orange.

    Rajeeb Hazra

    President & CEO

    Quantinuum

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a textured jacket and floral earrings, set against a red and orange gradient background.

    Freeke Heijman

    Vice President

    European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC)

  • Black-and-white portrait of a man with glasses, short hair, wearing a suit and tie, with a colorful gradient background.

    Dr. Masahiro Horibe

    Deputy Director

    G-QuAT

  • Black and white portrait of a man with short hair and a beard, wearing a suit and tie, against a vibrant red and orange gradient background.

    Dr. Travis Humble

    Director of Quantum Science Center

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Black and white portrait photo of an older man with glasses, gray hair, wearing a suit and tie, with a colorful digitized background.

    Dr. Said Jahanmir

    Executive Secretary, Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing

    National Science and Technology Council

  • Black and white portrait of a woman wearing glasses and a white lab coat with the Cleveland Clinic logo, standing against a gradient background of purple and blue, smiling at the camera.

    Dr. Lara Jehi

    Chief Research Information Officer

    Cleveland Clinic

  • Black and white portrait of a confident woman with short curly hair, wearing hoop earrings and a blazer, against a red and orange gradient background.

    Jennifer Jones

    CEO

    Howard County Economic Development Authority

  • Black-and-white portrait of a woman with short, light-colored hair, set against a bright green background.

    Outi Keski-Äijö

    Head of Quantum Computing Campaign 

    Business Finland

  • A black and white photo of a smiling young man in a suit against a gradient background of purple and blue.

    Matthew Kinsella

    CEO

    Infleqtion

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a black blazer and blouse, against a vibrant purple and orange gradient background.

    Kaniah Konkoly-Thege

    Chief Legal Officer, SVP Government Relations

    Quantinuum

  • Black and white professional portrait of a smiling man with dark hair, wearing a suit and tie, against a blue gradient background.

    Michael Kratsios*

    President's Science and Technology Advisor

    Office of Science and Technology Policy, the White House

  • Dr. James Kushmerick

    Dr. James Kushmerick

    Director, Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML)

    National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

  • Black-and-white portrait of a man wearing glasses and formal attire, set against a gradient background transitioning from purple to green.

    Ambassador Vinay Kwatra

    Ambassador of India to the United States

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy hair wearing earrings and a blazer against a colorful gradient background.

    Lisa Lambert

    CEO

    Quantum Industry Canada

  • Black and white portrait of a man with glasses, wearing a suit and tie, against a colorful pink and yellow background.

    Edy Liongosari

    Chief Research Scientist

    Accenture

  • Black and white photo of a smiling middle-aged man with dark, slightly graying hair and a beard, wearing a suit jacket and white shirt, against a blue and green gradient background.

    Paul Lipman

    Chief Strategy Officer

    Infleqtion

  • Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and gray hair, set against a modern background with a gradient from purple to orange.

    Dr. Jay Lowell

    Principal Senior Technical Fellow, Chief Scientist for Boeing Disruptive Computing and Networks

    The Boeing Company

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man wearing glasses, a suit, and a striped tie, with a colorful gradient background transitioning from blue to purple.

    Dr. Andre Marshall

    Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact

    George Mason University

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with dark hair, earrings, and a black top with white trim, against a colorful gradient background.

    Pritha Mehra

    Chief Information Officer & Executive Vice President

    United States Postal Service

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with a shaved head wearing a black t-shirt with "Quantum Source" logo on the chest, against a colorful gradient background.

    Oded Melamed

    CEO

    Quantum Source

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with curly hair, wearing a dark suit and white shirt, smiling, against a vibrant pink and purple gradient background.

    Dr. Celia Merzbacher

    Executive Director

    Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C)

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a suit and tie, with a small flag pin on his lapel, against a gradient background transitioning from blue to green.

    Governor Wes Moore

    Governor of Maryland

  • Dr. Michele Mosca

    Dr. MICHELE MOSCA

    Co-Founder, President & CEO

    EvolutionQ

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with long dark hair, smiling, wearing a pearl necklace and blazer, against a gradient yellow to orange background.

    Rima Oueid

    Senior Commercialization Executive

    Department of Energy

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a suit with a patterned tie, wearing glasses, with arms crossed, set against a gradient orange background.

    Dr. Darryll Pines

    President

    University of Maryland

  • Black and white professional portrait of a smiling man wearing glasses and a suit, with a colorful gradient background.

    Curtis Priem

    Co-Founder & Inventor

    NVIDIA

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a suit with an American flag pin, set against an orange and red gradient background.

    Governor JB Pritzker

    Governor of Illinois

  • Black and white portrait of a man in formal attire, wearing a suit, tie, and a pin on his lapel, with a colorful gradient background.

    Anthony Pugliese

    Chief Commercial Officer & Director

    Office of Technology Commercialization, US Department of Energy

  • Black and white professional portrait of a man in a suit and tie, with a colorful gradient background.

    Minister Sakari Puisto

    Minister of Economic Affairs Finland 

  • Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with glasses, facial hair, wearing a black blazer over a black shirt, against a gradient background transitioning from blue to green.

    James Quigley

    Commissioner & Chairman of the Board 

    Fairfax County Economic Development Agency

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a suit with a patterned tie and a pocket square, against a colorful gradient background.

    Buddy Rizer

    Ecxecutive Director

    Loudoun County Economic Development Authority

  • Black and white portrait of a man wearing glasses, smiling, against a green background.

    Dr. Michael Rosenblatt

    Director of the Federal Science and Technology Policy Directorate and National Quantum Strategy (NQS) Secretariat

    Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man wearing a suit and tie against a yellow and orange gradient background.

    Dr. Robert Rudnitsky

    Division Chief, Strategy and Planning, Office of Advanced Manufacturing

    National Institute of Standards and Technology

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with long dark hair, smiling, wearing earrings, against a colorful pink, yellow, and purple background.

    Pallabi Saboo

    Founder, Harmonia Holdings Group

    Trustee, Connected DMV

  • Ambassador Jarmo Sareva

    Ambassador Jarmo Sareva

    Consul General, Ambassador

    Consulate General of Finland in New York

  • Black and white portrait of a man wearing glasses, with a colorful gradient background.

    Dr. Shintaro Sato

    Fellow, Head of Quantum Laboratory

    Fujitsu Research

  • Black and white professional portrait of a serious middle-aged man in a suit against a colorful gradient background.

    Dr. Martin Schmidt

    President

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with short dark hair, goatee, wearing a collared shirt, against a gradient background from yellow to orange.

    Sean Silbert

    Senior Advisor, Innovation, Technology & Science

    Embassy of the Kingdon of the Netherlands

  • Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with short dark hair, a goatee, and a mustache, smiling, wearing a white collared shirt, with a gradient background transitioning from purple to teal.

    Stu Solomon

    Chair

    Connected DMV

  • Black and white photo of a man in a suit smiling with a colorful purple and pink gradient background.

    Paul Stimers

    Partner

    Holland & Knight

  • Close-up portrait of a woman with dark skin and curly hair, smiling, set against a green background

    Ebony Stocks

    Interim President & CEO

    Prince George's Economic Development Corporation

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a suit against a colorful gradient background.

    Dr. Bob Sutor

    CEO & Founder

    Sutor Group

  • Close-up black-and-white portrait of a man in a suit with a split-color background of blue and yellow.

    Dr. Charles Tahan

    Partner

    Microsoft Quantum

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man wearing glasses, a suit, dress shirt, and tie, set against a gradient background of blue, turquoise, and green.

    Paul Terry

    CEO

    Photonic

  • Black and white portrait of a man in a suit with a tie, set against a gradient blue background.

    George Thomas

    President & CEO

    Connected DMV

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a suit, wearing glasses, with a gradient purple to pink background.

    Don Upson

    Founder & Chairman

    Government Business Executive Forum

  • Black and white photo of a man wearing a suit and tie, with a colorful gradient background.

    Bill Vass

    Chief Technology Officer

    Booz Allen

  • Black and white portrait of a man in a suit and tie with glasses, smiling, set against a colorful gradient background.

    Dr. Yaakov Weinstein

    Chief Scientist, Quantum Technologies

    MITRE

  • Dr. CARL WILLIAMS

    Dr. CARL WILLIAMS

    CEO

    CJW Quantum Consulting

  • A black and white professional portrait of a man in a suit jacket and black shirt against a blue gradient background.

    Jason Zander

    Executive Vice President

    Microsoft

2025 STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION

Where Quantum Startups Took Center Stage

The Quantum Startup Pitch Competition returned in 2025 as a high-signal showcase for companies ready to scale quantum innovation into real-world impact. Presented by Booz Allen, the competition brought together emerging leaders in computing, sensing, photonics, and quantum-AI convergence to pitch live before investors, industry experts, and government decision-makers. More than a demo day, the competition underscored QWC’s role as a launchpad—connecting breakthrough science with capital, customers, and partners prepared to move fast.

Watch the Awards ▶
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place 
2025 GLOBAL INDUSTRY CHALLENGE

From Challenge to Deployment

The Global Industry Challenge turned quantum ambition into real-world execution at scale. Drawing more than 600 applicants from 60+ countries, the Challenge brought researchers, startups, and students together in a fast-paced, global sprint to apply quantum computing—and AI adjacencies—to high-value industry problems spanning finance, insurance, infrastructure, energy, and life sciences. Hosted as a centerpiece of the International Year of Quantum, the program culminated in five winning solutions announced live on the Quantum World Congress 2025 mainstage, demonstrating a decisive shift from research to deployment and proving what’s possible when industry challenges meet global quantum talent.

Read the REcap 
2025 QUANTUM LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Honoring the Leaders Who Moved the Field

The Quantum Leadership Awards recognized the individuals and organizations whose leadership turned quantum progress into measurable impact. Presented live at Quantum World Congress 2025, the awards honored pioneers across industry, government, academia, and global organizations—leaders shaping quantum’s trajectory through breakthrough research, system-scale engineering, national strategy, and international collaboration. Together, the 2025 honorees reflect the full arc of the quantum ecosystem and the human leadership powering its momentum.

  • Dr. Patricia Lee

    Dr. Patricia "Patty" Lee

    2025 INDUSTRY PIONEER OF THE YEAR

    Quantinuum

  • Sylvie Retailleau

    Sylvie Retailleau

    2025 GOVERNMENT PIONEER OF THE YEAR

    Professor at Université Paris-Saclay, Former Minister of the French Republic

  • Dr. John Preskill

    Dr. John Preskill

    2025 ACADEMIC PIONEER OF THE YEAR

    California Institute of Technology

  • International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

    International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

    2025 ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

2025 VIDEO LIBRARY

Press Play on the Future

Relive the moments that defined Quantum World Congress 2025. From mainstage keynotes and global policy updates to startup pitches and leadership awards, this video library captures the conversations, breakthroughs, and voices that shaped the year quantum took center stage. Dive in to explore the ideas—and the people—moving the field forward.