A major new initiative to position London at the forefront of global quantum innovation has been launched, bringing together academic excellence, industry partners, and government support. The London Quantum Technology Cluster, backed by the Mayor of London and supported by City Hall’s Emerging Technology Programme, will drive the capital’s leadership in quantum science and its commercialisation.
The cluster is a collaborative venture between University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, King’s College London, and their industry and research partners. The London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN), is a central contributor to the initiative, leveraging its world-class facilities and interdisciplinary research to accelerate real-world quantum applications. The cluster builds on the success of the LCN and will expand its reach by connecting with national assets like the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and international partners across Europe. The initiative also aligns with the UK government’s broader commitment to developing national quantum capabilities.
“London’s universities are among the best in the world, and this new cluster will harness their expertise to support innovation, create jobs and keep London at the forefront of science and technology,” said Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Quantum technologies – including quantum computing, sensing, and secure communications – have the potential to revolutionise industries from health and finance to infrastructure and national security. The cluster will enable shared resources, talent development, and closer ties between academia and industry to ensure London remains globally competitive in this rapidly evolving field.
“By nurturing emerging quantum startups within a collaborative ecosystem, this incubator will accelerate the translation of world-class nanotechnology and quantum research into transformative real-world applications,” said Professor Anatoly Zayats, King’s Co-Director of the London Centre for Nanotechnology.
The cluster will also work closely with national efforts, including the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme, and build links with other emerging regional clusters to support the growth of a strong quantum economy across the UK.
As a multidisciplinary hub already bridging physics, materials, and engineering, the LCN is uniquely positioned to help lead this next phase of London’s quantum journey – from the lab to global impact.
