Statewide strategy • Established August 2026

Utah’s quantum future.
Built here.

The Utah Quantum Initiative connects research, industry, talent, and capital to turn quantum breakthroughs into companies, products, and real-world impact.

Explore the strategy Executive Order 2026-06
SensingPrecision at the edge
PhotonicsLight-powered systems
HardwareIntegration at scale
HPCHybrid computing
01 The opportunity

Utah is built to connect the quantum stack.

The national race is crowded at the top. Utah’s opportunity is where breakthrough science becomes usable technology.

Our strength is the connective layer: quantum sensing and communications, cryogenic electronics, packaging and interconnects, high-performance computing, and the talent to integrate it all.

Read the public strategy overview
The Utah pathway

Connect every step from discovery to deployment.

Utah’s advantage is not a single institution or technology. It is the ability to connect the full system.

  1. ResearchDiscover
  2. HardwareBuild
  3. SystemsIntegrate
  4. ApplicationsValidate
  5. MarketsScale
01

Coordinated ecosystem

Government, higher education, and industry aligned around a shared statewide strategy.

02

Research depth

Complementary university strengths in physics, engineering, computer science, materials, and high-performance computing.

03

Manufacturing base

Semiconductor, electronics, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing capacity ready for quantum integration.

04

Ready markets

Defense, life sciences, energy, and logistics provide real-world pathways for pilots and deployment.

02 Explore Utah quantum

Four connected paths to quantum impact.

Explore the research capabilities, industry opportunities, workforce priorities, and practical applications shaping Utah’s statewide quantum strategy.

Research

Quantum research in Utah

Sensing, photonics, computing, materials, semiconductors, and the institutions connecting science to use.

Explore research → Industry

Industry & commercialization

How Utah can connect companies, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, capital, and national opportunities.

Explore industry → Talent

Quantum workforce

Education, career pathways, apprenticeships, and the technical skills needed across the quantum supply chain.

Explore workforce → Applications

Quantum in the real world

Potential uses across aerospace, defense, life sciences, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

Explore applications →
03 Strategic priorities

Seven pillars.
One connected strategy.

These priorities reflect the Governor’s executive order and focus Utah’s coordination where it can create measurable economic and public value.

01

Research & hardware

Sensing, photonics, semiconductors, and high-performance computing.

02

Workforce & talent

Education, apprenticeships, career pathways, and talent retention.

03

Commercialization

Connect discoveries with companies, pilots, capital, and markets.

04

Federal positioning

Coordinate funding opportunities and strengthen domestic supply chains.

05

Defense engagement

Advance sensing and communications partnerships for national needs.

06

Public understanding

Explain quantum clearly and report credible progress.

07

Policy & funding

Translate the strategy into responsible, measurable action.

Read the public strategy overview

Executive Order 2026-06

A statewide mandate to move.

Governor Cox’s executive order makes quantum a priority in Utah’s economic strategy and creates a Quantum Coordination Council to align state government, higher education, and industry.

August 10, 2026Executive order signed
March 30, 2027Statewide landscape report due
December 31, 2028Order remains in effect
Read the order
04 Leadership & coordination

Leadership built for convergence.

Policy, science, and commercialization working together.

GOED leads the initiative and chairs the statewide Quantum Coordination Council. Nucleus Institute co-leads the initiative, connecting research, commercialization, talent, industry, and capital.

Jefferson MossState strategy

Commissioner, Governor’s Office of Economic Development
CEO, Nucleus Institute

Jefferson Moss

Jefferson leads Utah’s statewide economic development and innovation strategy, connecting government, higher education, industry, and capital. An entrepreneur, investor, and former Utah House majority leader, he has built and led initiatives advancing deep-technology commercialization, emerging industries, and cross-sector partnerships throughout the state.

Ryan CamachoScience & research

Professor
Brigham Young University

Ryan Camacho

Ryan is an electrical and computer engineering professor whose research spans quantum photonics, nanophotonics, and optical systems. He has contributed to national work on quantum networking and helps connect Utah’s research strengths with the technologies, infrastructure, and talent needed to compete in the quantum economy.

Angela SmithOperations & commercialization

COO, Nucleus Institute
Managing Director, Nucleus Fund

Angela Smith

Angela leads operations and commercialization programs that help move promising research into companies and markets. Drawing on experience across venture capital, education, and ecosystem building, she connects innovators with funding, expertise, and partnerships while helping shape Convergence Hall as a home for Utah innovation.

Aspen OrtonAdministration & coordination

Executive Assistant
Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Aspen Orton

Aspen supports the initiative’s administrative coordination and serves as the primary contact for inquiries, participation, and partnership connections.

Contact
Initiative partners

Co-led by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Nucleus Institute.

Governor's Office of Economic Development
Nucleus
05 Utah quantum news

Quantum work is taking shape across Utah.

Follow the research, new capabilities, and partnerships moving Utah’s quantum ecosystem forward.

University of Utah · Research

Robots and AI are making quantum science more accessible and efficient

Nick Borys and the MonArk NSF Quantum Foundry are using robotics and AI to speed up the preparation of materials used in quantum research.

Read the University of Utah story (opens in a new tab)
State of Utah · Initiative

Utah launches a statewide Quantum Initiative

Executive Order 2026-06 established the initiative and a Quantum Coordination Council to align research, workforce, commercialization, and industry efforts.

Read the official announcement (opens in a new tab)
University of Utah · Infrastructure

Utah selected for a $20 million AI-driven cloud laboratory

AURORA will connect the MonArk Quantum Foundry with remote robotics and computing so researchers can design, fabricate, and measure quantum materials.

Read about AURORA (opens in a new tab)
University of Utah · Health research

A quantum mechanics approach to AI could improve cancer outcomes

University of Utah researchers applied quantum-mechanics-based mathematics to analyze complex cancer data from small patient groups. The work is a computational method, not a quantum-computer clinical trial.

Read the Huntsman Cancer Institute story (opens in a new tab)
View all Utah quantum stories See the upcoming Utah Quantum Summit

Coverage links lead to third-party websites. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of every statement or viewpoint.

06 Contact the initiative

Help build Utah’s quantum future.

Utah welcomes partners ready to advance research, build enabling technologies, develop talent, and move quantum applications toward practical use.

Primary contact

Aspen Orton

Administrative coordination

Emailaspenorton@utah.gov