Chattanooga-based startup accelerator The Company Lab (CO.LAB) has launched CO.LAB Q, a 12-month quantum commercialization studio designed to translate early-stage quantum research into market-ready companies. Set to begin its inaugural cohort in November 2026, the program offers individualized commercialization pathways, pilot access, and technical infrastructure across quantum computing, networking, cybersecurity, sensing, and control hardware.
[ CO.LAB Q Commercialization Studio Architecture ]
│
┌────────────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
Founding Technology & Utility Partners Academic & Defense Partners Quantum Infrastructure Access
• Quantinuum (Founding Compute Partner). • UTC (Founding Academic Partner). • EPB Quantum Network.
• Middle Tennessee Electric (Utility). • Davidson Technologies (Defense). • Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
• EPB Quantum (Network Partner). • Defense Pilot & SBIR/STTR Pathways. • UTC Quantum Center Facilities.The studio provides customized, milestone-driven support structured around foundational ecosystem partnerships:
- Quantum Computing & Cloud Access: As Founding Compute Partner, Quantinuum provides participating startups with direct access to its trapped-ion quantum processors, the Nexus cloud platform, the Guppy programming language, and technical simulation tools.
- Defense & National Security Track: Founding Defense Track Sponsor Davidson Technologies mentors startups on Department of Defense (DoD) mission needs, offering access to its quantum laboratory, cybersecurity frameworks, and pilot pathways through DIU and SBIR/STTR programs.
- Academic & Facility Integration: Founding Academic Partner University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) connects startups with quantum faculty, student researchers, and specialized laboratory facilities.
- Grid & Utility Testing: Founding Utility Partner Middle Tennessee Electric assists startups in validating quantum algorithms for power grid reliability, load forecasting, and infrastructure resilience.
- Quantum Network Infrastructure: EPB Quantum provides optical quantum networking infrastructure via the EPB Quantum Network in Chattanooga, enabling field trials for quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum communications.
Supported by regional collaborators including the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Vanderbilt University, and the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, CO.LAB Q is accepting startup applications on a rolling basis ahead of its November launch.
Review program details via The Company Lab Portal here, submit a cohort application directly on the CO.LAB Q Application Form here, read coverage on UTC In The Media here and Chattanoogan.com here, and view the announcement on LinkedIn here.
August 16, 2026