How Canada's Quantum Ambitions Are Powering Innovation at the University of Waterloo

Canada’s strategic investments in quantum technology are delivering tangible results, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo. Since its founding in 2002 with support from BlackBerry founder Mike Lazaridis, IQC has grown into one of the world’s most influential centres for quantum research, blending groundbreaking science with real-world applications.

To date, IQC researchers have published over 3,000 peer-reviewed papers with 125,000 citations, and the institute has spun out more than 20 quantum-focused startups. About 40 percent of its researchers are engaged in commercialization activities — a testament to how collaborative research environments can fuel technological and economic progress.

Dr. Norbert Lütkenhaus, IQC’s executive director and professor of physics, credits Canada’s early recognition of quantum information science as a strategic priority. Long before the country’s National Quantum Strategy was formalized, Canada had already positioned quantum as a core pillar of scientific advancement, building infrastructure and expertise that now puts it at the forefront of global innovation.

“What sets IQC apart,” says Lütkenhaus, “is the close-knit, interdisciplinary environment. Computer scientists, physicists, chemists, and engineers all share space and ideas — and that kind of collaboration is hard to replicate.” Facilities like the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre promote this synergy, allowing for breakthroughs that transcend traditional academic silos.

For graduate student Emiliia Dyrenkova, the collaborative culture was a major draw. After attending the IQC’s summer program as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, she returned for her master’s in computer science and quantum information. Now, her work focuses on encoding electrons into qubits — a critical component for simulating chemistry and physics using quantum computers.

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“I was initially fascinated by the idea of simulating materials and chemical reactions that are currently impossible with classical computing,” Dyrenkova explains. “The interdisciplinary atmosphere at IQC really opens the door to exploring that potential.”

Beyond academia, IQC is also nurturing the next generation of quantum entrepreneurs. One standout example is Phantom Photonics, a startup co-founded by IQC affiliate Alex Maierean. The company is developing quantum sensors for marine and aerospace industries, and has grown rapidly with support from Velocity, the University of Waterloo’s innovation incubator.

“There’s a strong culture of commercialization here,” says Maierean, now pursuing a PhD part-time. “Even though many are focused on pure research, there’s an openness to building companies and solving industry challenges.”

IQC’s blend of scientific excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and interdisciplinary collaboration is a model of what can happen when national vision meets local execution. As Lütkenhaus puts it, quantum science may be counterintuitive, but with the right investments and community, its real-world applications are not only possible—they’re already happening.

This article was originally published by the University of Waterloo. Written by Naomi Grosman.