The Alchemist Accelerator and the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation have announced the launch of the inaugural Alchemist Chicago deep-tech cohort. The program selected 27 science-driven startups from a pool of nearly 400 applicants, with a core focus on advancing new technologies across deep-tech verticals, including Quantum Computing.
The selected quantum-related companies span the full quantum stack. AnharmoniQ joins the cohort focusing on quantum hardware infrastructure. Software and algorithms are represented by Quantum Research Sciences, QodeX Quantum (quantum-native AI models), Qoro Quantum (network stack for distributed quantum computing), and quasi ai (accelerating CFD simulations). The program also includes companies focusing on quantum-enabled applications, such as Florence Quantum Labs (Quantum Biology for drug discovery) and SQK INC (quantum–AI hybrid computing for medical imaging).
The program features a partnership with IBM, which provides cloud access to its quantum computing resources, technical expertise, and potential venture funding to the selected quantum software companies. This strategic support is designed to accelerate the development of large-scale quantum solutions. The program focuses on accelerating seed-stage ventures toward customer validation and early traction.
The accelerator is positioned to strengthen the Midwest’s quantum ecosystem, drawing founders from over ten universities and five countries. The cohort’s launch reinforces the region’s efforts to translate specialized research into commercial output and serves as a significant private-public partnership aimed at scaling the U.S. quantum economy.
Read the full announcement of this new cohort here and general information about the Alchemist Chicago program here.
October 21, 2025
