QUEST programme by Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre, University of Bristol
The Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre (QTEC) is launching QUEST, a six-month pre-incubator programme to support commercially driven researchers who are looking to develop deep technology companies. QUEST will provide participants with the necessary training and support to create pre-seed technology ventures. Each cohort will have a specific technology focus with the first cohort focusing on quantum, quantum-enabling and quantum-inspired technologies starting in Autumn 2021.
Founders who are selected for the QUEST programme will receive business-training designed specifically for the creation of deep-technology companies, mentoring from respected industry leaders, regular road-mapping sessions with our team of Entrepreneurs in Residence, as well as potentially getting the opportunity to pitch for capital from our network of UK and European angel investors and VCs.
I am delighted to have Kimberley Brook, the programme manager of QTEC as our guest, as part of my RS EiR programme. Kimberley will introduce QUEST and opportunities it provides for students and researchers interested in quantum technology entrepreneurship.
Speaker details
Kimberley Brook is the programme manager of the Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre. She is leading on the development and implementation of their new QUEST pre-incubator programme. She joined QTEC from the University’s Department for Research and Enterprise Development (RED) where she worked within the Research Contracts team on a number of commercial and contractual negotiations prior to which she was a research manager within the University of Bristol’s Quantum Engineering Technology Labs. Kimberley has a degree and postgraduate diploma in law specialising in company, commercialisation and contracts law and is currently undertaking her MBA (Master of Business Administration).
More about QUEST
The QUEST Programme is based in the Quantum Technology Innovation Centre in Bristol and will be a blend of in-person and online training. Participating founders will benefit from the proximity to the Bristol and Bath region, one of the most innovative, creative and desirable places to live in the UK. The Bristol and Bath smart city region is home to a 5G testbed and the UK’s most productive tech cluster, providing world class digital connectivity. In addition, the founders will have access to the entrepreneurial network in the West of England which has a strong track record of commercial success in bringing research and innovation to market.
More about QTEC
The Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre was funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) in 2016 as a skills and training hub in Quantum Systems Engineering and is a key part of the UK’s National Quantum Technology Programme. It is a world-leading pre-incubator for innovators for quantum inspired technologies.
QTEC offers quantum scientists and engineers, a safe environment to explore the commercial potential of their technology. The training programme allows them to develop the skills they need to set up a successful technology start-up and the team of expert mentors led by the QTEC management team, support each Fellow through the start-up process.
Since 2016, QTEC has supported the creation of 27 active companies including KETS, QLM, FluoretiQ Nu Quantum, Quantum Dice, QURECA, Vector Photonics and SeeQC and a report in November 2019 showed that a third of the UK’s funded Quantum Start-ups originated at QTEC. QTEC alumni companies have raised over £56 million in equity, contract and grant funding to date and have created over 170 new highly skilled jobs for the UK Quantum Workforce.