Photonic wins $1 million CAD grant to advance quantum networking
The Canada-based start-up, which is leveraging silicon photonics to build modular, scalable quantum computers, plans to advance quantum repeater and networking technology to modernise North America’s defence capabilities
Quantum computing company Photonic Inc. has announced that it has been selected as a semi-finalist in the Canadian Department of National Defence’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) NORAD Modernization Science and Technology Contest. The company will receive an initial grant of $1 million CAD, and over the next year, plans to deliver on its proposal to advance quantum repeater and networking technology, supporting Canada’s NORAD modernisation plan and strengthening North America’s defence capabilities.
Photonic says its technology will address known limitations of existing quantum repeater design, a critical step in achieving performance benchmarks necessary for next-generation quantum sensing and communication systems.
“We are proud that Photonic was selected for this pivotal programme,” said Stephanie Simmons, co-founder and chief quantum officer at Photonic Inc. “This selection highlights the networking capabilities of our innovative Entanglement First architecture for distributed quantum computing and networking. We look forward to advancing the industrialisation of quantum technologies in Canada and helping to improve North American defence by enabling large-scale quantum deployment.”
The IDEaS programme challenge provides grants to support innovations that advance NORAD modernisation science and technology, with the goal of future-proofing North America’s defence. Photonic’s project aims to build on the company’s foundational expertise in scalable quantum computing and networking technologies. Photonic is focusing on developing highly scalable, modular quantum computers that can also act as repeaters capable of operating at telecom wavelengths, enabling fast, high-quality communication across long-distance quantum sensor networks. Benefiting from low-overhead error correction using QLDPC codes – such as the SHYPS family introduced by Photonic earlier this year – these repeaters are aimed at enabling seamless integration of quantum networking into existing communication infrastructures.
Through efforts like this, Photonic says it is laying the groundwork for secure, distributed quantum infrastructure critical to North America’s defence modernisation. These innovations not only strengthen Canada’s strategic capabilities but also unlock transformative potential for climate resilience, advanced materials, and secure communications, the company adds, demonstrating how quantum technologies can drive a safer, more sustainable future.
