KIST Promotes Accelerated Global Expansion of Korean Quantum Deep Technology Startups at the 2026 Quantum World Conference

The delegation established strategic ties with D-Wave, Microsoft, and AIST to pave the way for entering the US market and conducting regional operations.

Seoul, South Korea, and College Park, Maryland, September 28th / PRNewswire / -- The Korea Institute of Science and Technology ( KIST ) announced that it successfully led a delegation of South Korean quantum technology startups to participate in the 2026 Quantum World Conference ( Quantum World Congress , QWC ), and established important international partnerships, thereby expanding the influence of these companies in the American market.

As the leading institution in the field of quantum technology within the "Deep Technology Startup Incubation Project" implemented by the Korea Small and Medium Business and Entrepreneurship Ministry and the Korea Institute for the Development of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Spirit, KIST facilitated this initiative through its Global Bridge Program. The project aims to connect Korean startups with overseas research institutions, corporate partners, and investors to support their further global commercialization after completing preliminary technology development.

In this US project, KIST jointly planned and implemented Global Bridge Program with the Korean Embassy in the United States, supporting Korean quantum technology startups in establishing connections with overseas research institutions, corporate partners, and investors.

During the event, KIST and participating startups initiated strategic discussions with D-Wave's quantum computing system, to enable Korean startups to have direct access to advanced quantum infrastructure for technology development and practical application testing. KIST also met with Q-STAR from Japan and the Industrial Technology Comprehensive Research Institute (AIST) to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral ties between Korea and Japan's quantum technology ecosystems.

To further expand international business connections, KIST facilitated exchanges between Microsoft and startups from the DeepTech startup incubation program, with the aim of establishing long-term business partnerships. These efforts have yielded immediate market entry results; among them, OptiQ-Labs has finalized plans to set up an office on the East Coast of the United States in November. OptiQ-Labs has also become the first quantum startup to establish a physical presence in the Eastern United States with the support of this program.

Dr. Jiang Shanjun, Director of the Technology Commercialization Office of KIST and person in charge of the incubation project for deep-tech startups, emphasized the importance of transforming international connections into sustained cooperation and commercialization opportunities.

Jiang Shanjun stated, "International exchanges should not be limited to a single event, but should extend into ongoing cooperation with overseas research institutions, enterprises, and investors. Building on the connections established through QWC in 2026, KIST will continue to support Korean quantum startups in developing technical partnerships, expanding into global markets, and creating tangible commercialization opportunities."

KIST indicates that the subsequent cooperation established on QWC in 2026 will continue to be advanced, systematically integrating Korean quantum technology into the global research, industrial, and investment network.

QWC 2026 Participating Startups

• OptiQ-Labs: Developing optical hardware for quantum technology, with research foundations stemming from over a decade of studies in isotope-selective laser spectroscopy, resonance ionization, laser cooling, and trapped ion spectroscopy. The technologies include ultra-narrow linewidth laser systems, laser frequency stabilization, and ion trap systems, with the goal of providing complete hardware for ion trap quantum computers.
• xDots: Developing diamond quantum sensing solutions for industrial energy efficiency. Its xEnergy platform combines room-temperature diamond NV central sensors with AI and the Internet of Things to optimize device operation in real time.
• Bright Quantum: Developing on-demand single-photon sources for photonic quantum computing and communication, including commercially viable high-end quantum dot light sources as well as ultra-compact systems that can operate at room temperature without the need for low-temperature cooling.
• SQK: Developing QMEDIC, a medical imaging platform that combines quantum technology with physical guidance AI, aiming to improve the image quality of low-dose CT while preserving key anatomical structures.

Source: Korea Institute of Science and Technology ( KIST )