As quantum computing moves from promise to prototype, the UK is preparing to lead, not only in technological capability, but in real-world adoption. At the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), our aim is to enable a quantum-ready economy—one that can seize the opportunities offered by quantum computing, generate and retain value, and deliver economic and societal benefit.
But what does it mean to be quantum-ready?
Defining Quantum Readiness
Readiness is the ability not only to take advantage of emerging opportunities but also to navigate associated challenges with foresight and resilience. In the quantum context, readiness goes beyond hardware. It demands a robust ecosystem: deep technical expertise, algorithmic capability, an informed and skilled workforce, engaged end-users, and a recognised market appetite for high-impact use cases. This is further underpinned by supportive policy frameworks, standards, public trust, and social awareness.
The NQCC’s SparQ programme was designed as the national mechanism to help build this readiness across the UK. It provides the structure, tools, and partnerships to help users engage with quantum computing meaningfully, long before the technology reaches full maturity.
The SparQ programme: Accelerating use case discovery
Launched in 2022, SparQ began with a focus on supporting the discovery and development of quantum applications. Since then, it has grown to encompass a range of initiatives – access to quantum computing resources, collaborative R&D projects, public-private funding mechanisms, and skills-building opportunities such as hackathons, networking events, and end-user training.
These efforts are not theoretical exercises. They are practical steps toward building sector-specific expertise, growing the UK’s user community, and translating scientific advancement into tangible national capability.
The portfolio of projects featured in the Quantum Computing Use Case Compendium has all been funded and supported under SparQ. They demonstrate early-stage explorations of quantum advantage across sectors such as healthcare, energy, pharmaceuticals, materials, finance, and logistics. Each represents a real-world problem reimagined through a quantum lens—often in direct partnership with end-users, from the NHS and energy providers to manufacturing and aerospace innovators.
Why applications matter
The potential applicability of quantum computing is the ultimate driver of global interest, investment, and research. At the NQCC, our focus is on identifying those problems where quantum computing might offer competitive solutions – be it through speed, accuracy, energy efficiency, or solution quality.
Quantum applications are typically grouped into four domains: simulation, optimisation, machine learning, and cryptography. Within these, developers explore both rigorous demonstrations of quantum advantage and more heuristic or hybrid methods with real-world potential. But the key question is this: How and when will these benefits manifest in practice?
To answer this, we must go beyond benchmarking quantum hardware. We must understand the workflows, constraints, and priorities of real sectors and users, and build solutions that align with their goals. We call this approach quantum competitiveness: when an organisation, faced with a practical challenge, chooses to incorporate quantum computing as part of its toolkit.
The role of the Quantum Applications Team
At the heart of SparQ’s technical delivery is the Quantum Applications Team (QAT), a multidisciplinary group of scientists and engineers with expertise in digital and analogue quantum computing, algorithms, benchmarking, and hardware integration.
Since SparQ’s inception, QAT members have worked directly with funded project teams, supporting everything from problem definition and algorithm selection to implementation and analysis. This embedded approach ensures that UK organisations don’t just experiment with quantum computing—they begin to build capacity, confidence, and future pathways toward adoption.
The role of Quantum Innovation Sector Leads
In addition to the technical guidance provided by the Quantum Applications Team, SparQ projects benefit from the support of dedicated Innovation Sector Leads. These individuals bring deep expertise in research and commercialisation, ecosystem development, and sector-specific strategy. Their role is to help bridge the gap between technical exploration and real-world adoption, advising on partnership building, market positioning, and exploitation pathways. By working closely with project teams, Innovation Sector Leads ensure that findings are not only technically robust but also disseminated effectively and positioned for future opportunity and impact across the UK innovation landscape.
Looking forward
The work documented in the compendium marks an important step in the UK’s quantum journey. It signals the shift from exploration to utility, and from isolated innovation to coordinated readiness.
Whether through public-private partnerships, national skills initiatives, or challenge-driven research, the NQCC remains committed to growing the ecosystem that will enable the UK to thrive in a quantum future.
Together with industry, government, academia, and the wider public, we are laying the groundwork for quantum computing to deliver not just scientific breakthroughs, but real impact where it matters most.
Dr Rob Whiteman
Quantum Readiness Delivery Lead
Dr Konstantinos Georgopoulos
Quantum Applications Team Lead