Quantum computing holds the key to addressing some of society's most pressing challenges, and the United States must outpace its formidable global competitors to ensure these solutions — and the economic, strategic, and national security advantages they bring — benefit our nation and the world. In this panel, technology and place-making leaders made the case for the strategic investments required to position the Mountain West as a global leader in technology and quantum innovation.
Mr. Chad Evans, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Council on Competitiveness, kicked off the day by recounting breaking news that Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, had delivered a major speech outlining five key elements that define a scientific and technological superpower, including basic research, the capability to address core technological challenges, international influence in global science, the ability to cultivate and attract talent, and robust governance systems and innovation ecosystems. Chinese President Jinping speech is a critical reminder of how foreign competitors are strategizing to compete against the United States and other global rivals. In his address, President Jinping also outlined five tasks to achieve these elements: better leveraging China’s comprehensive system of innovation ecosystems; fostering connections between scientific and industrial innovation; deepening reforms in scientific and technological systems; advancing the integration of education, science, and talent; and engaging with the global scientific community.
“How do we invest in people, talent, technology, and infrastructure to sustain and grow the Mountain West’s incredible momentum?”
Mr. Chad Evans
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Council on Competitiveness
When asked for reactions to this framework coming out of China, Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine CEO Mr. Mike Freeman believed that China’s serves as a direct challenge to U.S. scientific and technological leadership. The ability to generate original intellectual property is at the core of U.S. competitiveness and of his NSF Engine in particular, so he and his organization conducted a review of United States and global climate tech IP. In many areas, while the United States still leads, but China is rapidly closing the gap. Right now, they are filing millions of comparatively low-value patents, but that is laying a foundation for more complex ones.
“China is using much of the same framework that we have used in the past to challenge the United States.”
Mr. Mike Freeman
CEO
Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine
TechHubNow! CEO Ms. Wendy Lea, meanwhile, focused in on the idea of ecosystem building. She noted how, early in the CHIPS and Science process, little attention was given to the idea of “consortia” of innovators working together; rather the focus was on co-located ecosystems. However, it is not possible to succeed as an ecosystem without innovators and institutions acting together and engaging. Converting innovators into real partners is the challenge, and one that quantum computing specifically needs solved to reach its full potential.
“As much as customers and investment, entrepreneurs need each other.”
Ms. Wendy Lea
CEO
TechHubNow!
Elevate Quantum’s Chief Operations and Financial Officer, Ms. Jessi Olsen, highlighted China's distinct advantage in establishing robust supply chain ecosystems. She argued that the Mountain West could increase the region's competitiveness by co-locating low-cost energy, essential materials, and the industries that use these inputs, and she thought the climate tech sector could benefit significantly as an early adopter of this model. Mr. Freeman agreed and reinforced a recurring theme around a need to expand the manufacturing capabilities within the Mountain West.
Shifting to the cultural foundations of innovation, Ms. Lea cited the "Boulder Thesis" in which entrepreneurs rely on each other as much as they do on funding and customers. This aligns with Colorado’s “give first” culture, where businesses actively support one another to strengthen the community. According to Ms. Lea, once this collaborative momentum builds, formal structures become unnecessary; the goal is for "organic give first" to thrive, allowing entrepreneurs to connect naturally in relationships built on trust and transparency. Mr. Freeman shared a similar experience with leaders from other NSF Engines, who began informally exchanging best practices without formal prompting. For instance, an Engine in Florida successfully inspired state schools to create semiconductor curricula in under a year, and learning from their approach is benefiting Engines nationwide.
When asked about the technological promise of quantum computing, Ms. Olsen made clear that there are two major ways unfurling:
“Quantum 1.0 is about to give way to Quantum 2.0, which will be even more impactful.”
Ms. Jessi Olsen
Chief Operations and Financial Officer
Elevate Quantum
Mr. Freeman raised that underpinning both quantum science and climate resilience technology is photonics, the study and application of light. In the fall, Innosphere and the NSF Engine applied for a photonics accelerator in the Mountain West, recognizing its importance across sectors. While a greater focus on photonics would be beneficial to each individual ecosystem, it also had the potential to serve as a unifying force across sectors, making it easier for these two large industry-building projects to work together in the long term.
Mr. Evans then pointed out that other geographies are also making bids to lead in quantum. Illinois has invested $500 million in a new “Quantum Park,” while Maryland has declared itself the “Capital of Quantum.” And overseas competition is not just coming from China; Australia is heavily investing in quantum, including in U.S. companies. Given these investments, should the Mountain West view these other emerging quantum centers as rivals or partners? Ms. Lea believed that the more quantum centers the better, as the Mountain West needs the support of other quantum ecosystems; however, given the EDA Tech Hub grant, the Mountain West has a responsibility to be a leader.
Mr. Freeman reminded participants that Innosphere is not intended to compete with other accelerators; rather, NSF projects like the one it supports are place-based, aiming for localized economic impact and growth. This creates a tension, as Innosphere finds itself balancing support for the local innovation ecosystem with assistance for innovators from broader areas who may compete with the Mountain West. Ms. Lea responded by pointing out that maintaining collaboration among the three Mountain West states is already challenging; expanding partnerships further could be a distraction in the early stages. However, it is exactly these types of broader collaborations that are crucial for the region's long-term success.
Wrapping up the discussion with an eye towards the future of the innovation economy in the Mountain West, Ms. Olsen predicted the advanced industries in the region would be more closely cooperating on the shared problems that affect them, namely workforce training and supply chain development. Ms. Lea foresaw the rise of differentiated programming to advance commercialization in different advanced industries. While the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub’s job is commercialization – building businesses – that cannot happen without the right kind of research being done, both in academic institutions and national laboratories. Figuring out how that relationship is an ongoing process, but she imagined it would be far more streamlined. Mr. Freeman, to conclude, predicted the support infrastructures for bourgeoning technology companies to plug into would be much clearer, accessible, and effective.
