Four things we’ve learned from applying quantum to industry 

From engaging with leaders of businesses across the country including the Port of Dover, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Vodafone and more, it is clear that many are keen to explore how quantum could support their future strategies. Our engagements have proven however that quantum remains a complex and intangible concept for some. Many industry leaders recognise that they need to get ahead of the curve and prepare for quantum to become more mainstream, to remain competitive, but they struggle to understand how it can be leveraged and practically applied to their own operations. We know that the appetite to learn about and adopt quantum innovation is there, but what is often missing is a clear roadmap to integration. 

As such, businesses are asking not just what quantum can do, but how they can meaningfully adopt it. What infrastructure is needed? What skills should they be developing internally? Which problems are worth tackling first? This signals a real opportunity and suggests that those who can bridge the gap between innovative research and practical application will lead the way. This is why quantum innovation programmes like those that we deliver at Digital Catapult are essential in enabling businesses to take the first step in practically applying quantum to their industry.  

At Digital Catapult, we constantly assess where and how deep tech innovation could have the greatest impact. We work across the key sectors of the UK economy, and our quantum innovation programme has supported industry leaders across a spectrum of high-growth sectors including defence, manufacturing, infrastructure, and nuclear energy. Our interventions have allowed us to identify two sectors that consistently demonstrate immense value and promise following the practical application of quantum innovation. These are decarbonisation and advanced connectivity. Both align with our primary focus areas of driving industrial decarbonisation and accelerating the development and deployment of data driven and open future networks across the country and have proven multiple applications of quantum innovation to unlock opportunity.  

During our recent quantum innovation programme, we partnered with Vodafone, enabling the telecoms pioneer to solve the Steiner-Tree Problem. This would typically take an hour on a classical computer but could be solved in minutes using a quantum system. On the decarbonisation front, we worked with Simulex, a startup looking to accelerate the energy transition through advanced chemical and reservoir engineering solutions. Simulex modelled a complex network of renewable energy sources, including variable demand and energy storage options. The quantum computer model enabled greater speed and precision, enabling Simulex to maximise renewable energy use while reducing energy losses, costs, and environmental impact.  These examples are testament to how quantum technologies could help accelerate our journey to net-zero, while also reshaping the very infrastructure of future connectivity.