Eight quantum startups get help from govt to build apps

The startups will get up to ₹30 crore each in phase one of the National Quantum Mission

- Leslie D'Monte

The National Quantum Mission (NQM) has awarded up to ₹30 crore each to eight startups, aiming to jumpstart India's presence in quantum tech ranging from quantum computing, sensing, communications and materials. This makes it the largest government-led startup investment initiative, according to Ajai Chowdhry, chairman of the mission governing board of the National Quantum Mission, and of EPIC Foundation. "No other central government scheme has disbursed such large individual funding amounts to early-stage ventures," he told Mint in an interview. Government initiatives like Startup India or MeitY's TIDE 2.0 have supported thousands of startups, but funding was typically capped at ₹1-2 crore.

NQM was launched in 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003 crore. The first phase of the programme saw over 100 applicants, of which 32 startups were shortlisted. While eight have secured funding, a second cohort is expected to be announced later this month, with the Department of Science and Technology indicating it may fund up to 16 more by the year-end, Chowdhry said.