Partnerships
The Photonics Centre of Excellence, ‘ICFO’
The ICFO is a Research Centre of Excellence based in Barcelona. It is an international leading research centre, founded in 2002 by the Government of Catalonia and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – Barcelona Tech and is dedicated to advancing the very limits of knowledge in several fields of science and technology where photonic-tools and related concepts provide an edge. The institute is made up of 80 state-of-the-art laboratories whose research is devoted to science and technology of Photonics. ICFO proactively fosters entrepreneurial activities including collaborative activities, cooperation agreements, and participates in incubator activities. The centre has won competitive funding from the European Research Council, and a generous endowment from Fundació Cellex Barcelona, both of which allow the centre to pursue truly remarkable scientific discoveries.
Quantum Exponential become a member of the Corporate Liaison Programme at the Photonics Centre of Excellence in Barcelona in August 2022 [RNS 22 August 2022]. The membership aims to create collaborations and links between the Company and ICFO researchers, specially by allowing Quantum access to early-stage quantum technology companies and industry spin-offs.
For more information, visit the ICFO’s website: https://www.icfo.eu
The Institute of Physics, ‘IOP’
The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland, with an active role in promoting cooperation in physics around the world. IOP strive to make physics accessible to people from all backgrounds. IOP’s 21,000 members demonstrate their professional expertise in physics in settings ranging from schools, universities and national research facilities to businesses of all sizes, and in roles as varied as a teacher, researcher, apprentice, technician, engineer and product developer.
For more information click here: https://www.iop.org/
UKQuantum is the voice of the UK quantum industry UKQuantum’s mission is to; Unite the UK quantum industry with one voice, champion within Government and internationally, advising on interventions and policies that will advance the UK quantum industry and promote the adoption and benefits of quantum technologies across the UK economy.
QuIC is a not-for-profit association established by several major business actors – large enterprises, SMEs, investors, and startups – from across Europe. It operates as a collaborative hub throughout Europe to build a strong, vibrant ecosystem between these business actors and leading research and technology organisations. Its members come from all European states and associated countries.
The Harwell Quantum Cluster is the UK’s national platform for scaling quantum technologies — a government‑backed ecosystem that convenes STFC/UKRI, industry, and academia on the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. Launched in November 2025, the cluster aims to create 1,000+ high‑value jobs and attract £1bn+ of investment to the UK over the next decade, accelerating innovation from quantum computing to sensing, communications, and imaging.
At the heart of the cluster is the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), a state‑of‑the‑art 4,000 m² lab opened in Oct 2024 to host 12 quantum testbeds and provide open access to UK industry and academia — a unique model designed to make quantum practically usable at scale.
Harwell concentrates an unrivalled mix of national labs, capital infrastructure and supply‑chain partners (e.g., RAL Space’s Quantum Space Lab, STFC Cryogenics, Element Six for quantum‑grade diamond, ISIS Neutron Source, and the Extreme Photonics Application Centre coming online in 2026). This density makes Harwell a place‑based engine for translating quantum research into commercial deployment across sectors like healthcare, energy, security, finance, and logistics