The New Quantum Era

Quantum Engineering with David Reilly and Tom Ohki

In this episode, host Sebastian Hassinger talks with David Reilly and Tom Ohki, co‑founders of Emergence Quantum, about their unconventional focus on the "connective tissue" of quantum computers—cryogenic control electronics, high‑performance amplifiers, scalable packaging, and integrated systems that operate at ultra‑low temperatures. Drawing on Reilly’s work at Microsoft’s Station Q and Ohki’s background at BBN Technologies, they explain how their special‑ops‑style team tackles system‑level challenges that enable scaling to millions of qubits, while remaining qubit‑agnostic and funded through partnerships rather than venture capital. They also discuss the broader Australian quantum ecosystem, strategic collaborations with IonQ and Archer Materials, and the potential crossover of cryogenic technologies into classical data centers. The conversation highlights the importance of bridging fundamental research and applied engineering to build the infrastructure needed for the next era of computing.