The New Quantum Era
Building a Quantum Ecosystem From Scratch with Martin Laforest
The New Quantum Era
•February 17, 2026•42 min
0
The New Quantum Era•Feb 17, 2026
Why It Matters
Understanding how quantum ecosystems are cultivated offers a realistic roadmap for policymakers, investors, and innovators seeking to accelerate transformative technologies. The episode’s insights into balanced research funding, collaborative infrastructure, and nuanced VC strategies are especially timely as governments worldwide ramp up quantum investments and the industry moves from hype to tangible applications.
Key Takeaways
- •Quebec invested $400M, building world‑class quantum ecosystem.
- •Sherbrooke’s condensed‑matter focus fuels diverse quantum startups.
- •Quantum advantage needs both fundamental research and engineering.
- •Misconception: quantum tech equals only quantum computing.
- •Quantaset VC bridges science, policy, and industry collaboration.
Pulse Analysis
Quebec has emerged as a global quantum hub, channeling roughly $400 million into the sector over the past three years. The province’s strategy blends historic academic strengths—such as the University of Sherbrooke’s 1970s bet on condensed‑matter physics—with a modern innovation‑zone framework that links semiconductor fabrication, research labs, and startup incubators. This deliberate community building has produced a dense network of spin‑physics, ion‑trap, and photonics groups that feed directly into commercial ventures. The result is a self‑reinforcing ecosystem where public funding, private capital, and talent pipelines converge to accelerate quantum breakthroughs.
Martin Laforest’s career mirrors that ecosystem. After a PhD at Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing, he spent eight years shaping scientific outreach, then cut his teeth at a post‑quantum cryptography startup run by former BlackBerry executives. Those experiences taught him how to translate complex quantum concepts into clear narratives for investors, policymakers, and the public. Today, as a partner at Quantaset—the province’s first quantum‑only venture‑capital fund—he leverages that breadth to scout and mentor early‑stage companies. He stresses that the biggest communication gap remains the myth that quantum technology is solely about universal quantum computers.
The path to quantum advantage is neither pure science nor pure engineering; it demands both. While superconducting chips, trapped ions, and spin‑based platforms each show promise, fundamental material discoveries and error‑correction breakthroughs are still required. Laforest warns that treating quantum computing as a finished engineering problem risks under‑investing in the research that will deliver the next ‘transistor moment.’ By maintaining parallel streams of basic research funding and targeted commercialization support, Quebec aims to capture value across computing, communication, cybersecurity, and sensing. This balanced approach positions the region to lead the next wave of quantum‑driven industries.
Episode Description
What does it take to build a thriving quantum ecosystem from the ground up? Martin Laforest, physicist-turned-venture-capitalist at Quantacet, reveals how Quebec transformed a 1970s academic bet into a $400M quantum powerhouse—and why the industry's biggest misconception is thinking quantum computing is either a science problem or an engineering problem when it's clearly both.
Summary
In this conversation, Sebastian sits down with Martin Laforest, partner at Quantacet, Canada's quantum-only VC fund, to explore the messy realities of building quantum companies and ecosystems. Martin brings a rare perspective: PhD from Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing, eight years leading scientific outreach, a stint building a post-quantum cryptography startup with ex-BlackBerry executives, and now investing in the quantum future.
This episode is for anyone trying to understand how quantum technology actually gets built—not the hype, but the infrastructure, the collaboration models, the government investment strategies, and the patience required. Whether you're technical or just curious about how transformative technologies emerge, Martin offers a grounded view of what's working, what's not, and why the quantum revolution looks more like slow, deliberate ecosystem building than overnight breakthroughs.
What You'll Learn
Why quantum is both a science and engineering challenge and how the vacuum tube-to-transistor transition illuminates today's quantum journey
How Quebec built a world-class quantum ecosystem starting from a 1970s university bet on condensed matter physics through to today's $400M provincial investment
The infrastructure that matters: why Sherbrooke's six shared dilution fridges and quantum communication testbed represent a different collaboration model
What VCs actually look for in quantum startups beyond the technology—and why Martin believes early-stage investing is about building great companies, not just returns
The three most dangerous misconceptions plaguing quantum technology (spoiler: it's not just about quantum computers)
How regional quantum ecosystems should compete and collaborate with lessons from Netherlands, Chicago, and UK programs
Why fundamental research funding can't stop even as commercialization accelerates—and what happens when governments don't understand this balance
What "mutualized infrastructure" means in practice and why no single entity owning critical testbeds might be the secret sauce
How federal and provincial politics shape quantum strategy in Canada and what other countries can learn from it
Resources & Links
Quantacet
Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC)
University of Sherbrooke Institute Quantique
C2MI semiconductor fabrication facility
QuantumDELTA
Key Insights
On the science vs. engineering debate:
"People ask if quantum computing is still a science problem or just engineering. It's both. Look at the vacuum tube to transistor transition—we needed new physics and new engineering. That's exactly where we are now."
On ecosystem building:
"Sherbrooke made a bet on condensed matter physics in the 1970s. Fifty years later, they have six dilution fridges available for rent and a quantum communication testbed owned by no one. That infrastructure patience is what builds real ecosystems."
On VC philosophy:
"Early-stage venture capital is about building great companies. The money is a byproduct. If you focus on the returns first, you'll make the wrong decisions every time."
On common misconceptions:
"The biggest myth is that quantum technology equals quantum computing. We have quantum sensors, quantum communications, post-quantum crypto—this is a multi-faceted industry, not a single magic box."
On balancing research and commercialization:
"You can't stop funding fundamental research just because commercialization is happening. The vacuum tube didn't kill physics research. We need both engines running or the whole thing stalls."
Join the Conversation
Subscribe to The New Quantum Era wherever you get your podcasts to hear more conversations with the people building quantum technology's future.
Show Notes
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...