Start-up Spotlight: Emergence Quantum – Solving Quantum’s Hardest Engineering Challenges
Quantum computing promises to transform everything from drug discovery and materials science to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. But building a useful quantum computer requires more than just qubits – it demands scalable infrastructure, cryogenic electronics, and precision control systems operating at the limits of physics.
That’s where Emergence Quantum comes in.
Formed by a team of leading researchers previously involved with Microsoft Quantum’s Sydney-based efforts, Emergence Quantum is tackling some of the field’s most complex technical challenges. Based at the University of Sydney and co-founded by Professor David Reilly and Dr Thomas Ohki, the company is helping accelerate the shift from laboratory science to commercially viable quantum systems.
Emergence Quantum was launched to meet the growing demand for advanced quantum engineering capabilities, particularly those not tied to any one quantum computing architecture. Their team of PhD scientists and engineers brings deep expertise in cryogenic quantum control, scalable amplifier design, and system integration across photonics, ion traps, silicon spins and superconductors.
“We’re not here to compete with quantum computing companies — we enable them,” said Dr Ohki. “Our work fills a critical gap between university research and real-world deployment. We’re fast, focused, and deeply technical.”
Rather than offer off-the-shelf products or consultancy, Emergence Quantum operates as a commercial R&D firm that partners with organisations to solve highly specialised, time-bound technical problems.
A core focus for Emergence Quantum is developing the “connective tissue” that makes quantum systems useful, including cryogenic readout and control electronics, high-performance amplifiers, and scalable packaging techniques.
One of the company’s first major milestones is a $1.94 million collaboration with the University of Sydney through the Australian Government’s Economic Accelerator Innovate program. The project will pioneer scalable superconducting amplifier manufacturing, a key enabler for both quantum and classical systems.
Quantum systems may require thousands of these amplifiers per computer stack by 2026, and Emergence Quantum is positioning Australia to supply this demand, across both global tech giants and local companies like Diraq.
Emergence Quantum is grounded in decades of quantum research. Its founders previously led Microsoft’s quantum hardware program in Sydney, working at the intersection of deep science and engineering. When that program was consolidated in the U.S., the team chose to stay in Australia, launching Emergence Quantum to continue building on their hard-won experience.
“There’s a hunger in the ecosystem for what we’re doing,” said Professor Reilly. “Quantum innovation is no longer just about the qubit. The biggest challenges, and the biggest breakthroughs, will come from the layers in between.”
The company’s work with Diraq on scalable silicon quantum processors, recently published in Nature, demonstrates their ability to deliver high-impact research with direct commercial relevance.
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