NewQ
From quantum ideas to market impact.
Got a quantum idea with real potential? NewQ is where it takes shape.
This program is built to help early-stage quantum researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs fast-track their ideas from concept to commercial reality, and connect with the experts who can help make it happen.
Teams who complete the program may be eligible for a $10,000 award to advance their quantum venture.
➔ NewQ: Turn Your Quantum Idea Into Reality
Have a quantum idea that could change the world? NewQ is where you make it happen.
Across an intensive 8-week online program, you’ll move from concept to clarity, testing your idea, refining your business model, and building the confidence to take it to market.
Over the 8-week online program, you’ll:
Validate your idea with real customers and market insights.
Explore business models that make your technology commercially viable.
Craft a compelling pitch that captures investor attention.
Receive one-on-one mentoring from experienced founders and quantum experts.
Learn directly from leaders and investors shaping Australia’s quantum future.
And upon successful completion, each team may be eligible for a discretionary $10,000 award!
Who should apply?
If you’re ambitious, curious, and driven to build something new then NewQ is for you.
Entrepreneurs and founders ready to launch their first quantum venture.
Researchers and PhD students ready to turn research into real-world impact.
Early-stage teams with an idea, prototype, or concept to test.
Deep tech explorers (photonics, sensing, materials, AI) curious about quantum opportunities.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the NewQ program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Early-stage status: You are not yet incorporated or have been incorporated for less than 12 months.
Pre-investment: You have not yet raised venture capital funding.
Focus area: You are developing a quantum or quantum-adjacent idea (for example, in quantum computing, sensing, communications, or enabling technologies).
Commitment: You have time to actively participate in the program and progress your idea.
Team: You are ideally part of a team, though solo founders are also considered.
Location: Necessary permission to work or study in Australia
Upcoming intakes
Join the next wave of quantum founders:
29th Oct 2025 - 17th Dec 2025
10 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 (applications close 27 Jan, 9AM AEDT)
7 May 2026 - 25 June 2026 (applications close 9 April, 5PM AEST)
Why Apply?
Because every successful founder starts somewhere, and NewQ gives you the tools, mentors, and momentum to take that first step.
Expert mentoring
Learn directly from entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders who understand the startup journey. Get practical advice, honest feedback, and insights that help you focus on what really matters.
Validation from the market
Test your idea with real customers and industry experts. Discover whether your concept solves a problem worth paying for, and refine it fast.
Community and Connections
Join a national network of ambitious founders, researchers, and investors through Quantum Australia. Build relationships that can open doors to partnerships, collaborations, and future opportunities.
Australia’s Only Quantum Pre-Accelerator
NewQ is the first and only program in Australia dedicated exclusively to quantum innovation. You’ll join a community that truly understands the challenges, and opportunities, of building a quantum startup.
Investor-Ready Skills
From storytelling and pitching to business modelling and market analysis, you’ll gain the tools to communicate your vision and show its value. These are the building blocks that will help you secure your first backers, partners, or pilot customers.
$10,000 Award
And when you complete the program, your team may also be eligible for a $10,000 discretionary award to accelerate your next stage of growth.
Key Participant Takeaways
Clearer Positioning
often realising their initial target customer wasn’t the right one, and redefining who they were truly building for.
Learning how to tell a stronger brand story
one that speaks to real people and problems, not just the technology.
Sharpening their ideas through continuous testing and iteration
using real-world feedback to guide decisions.
Developing more precise targeting
uncovering customer segments they hadn’t previously considered.
Adopting commercial thinking from day one
particularly valuable for teams new to commercialisation, asking questions they hadn’t thought to ask before.
Accessing industry connections through Quantum Australia
opening doors across the national quantum ecosystem.
Gaining clearer, faster pathways to adoption
with a better understanding of who adopts quantum solutions and why.
Moving from a generic idea to a validated one
grounded in genuine market need.
Your 8-week journey
Explore how the NewQ Program guides you through every stage of the startup journey, combining hands-on learning, expert mentoring, and real-world validation. All delivered online!
Week 1
Program launch workshop
4 hour online cohort session
Understanding what it takes to prepare the market for deep tech adoption
Aligning vision and application pathways
Developing a verifiable logic for innovation adoption
Week 2
Group coaching #1
3 hour online cohort session
Building an ecosystem to support innovation adoption
Identifying and qualifying early customer and partner opportunities to validate commercial potential
Week 3
1:1 team coaching
Week 4
Group Coaching #2
3 hour online cohort session
Designing compelling value propositions for quantum use cases
Aligning commercial and technical validation plans
Week 5
1:1 team coaching
Week 6
Group Coaching #3
3hour online cohort session
Addressing adoption barriers, educating customers, and avoiding hype
Using storytelling to build a coalition of supporters across academia, policy, and industry
Week 7
1:1 team coaching
Week 8
Showcase event (online)
Award criteria
To be eligible for the $10,000 award, participating teams must meet all of the following criteria:
Program Engagement Actively participate in the program by ensuring at least one team member attends all scheduled sessions.
Assignment Completion Complete and submit all required homework and deliverables by the specified deadlines.
Evidence of Commercialisation Validation Demonstrate measurable progress towards validating the commercial and innovation adoption potential of the quantum idea/ innovation throughout the program
Australian Bank Account Hold a valid Australian bank account to receive the award funds.
Future Commercialisation Intent Teams must demonstrate a clear plan to commercialise their venture within six months of completing the program. This may include incorporation, licensing, partnerships, or other structured arrangements that enable market entry and value creation.
Showcase Presentation (by invitation only) Successfully deliver a final presentation at the program showcase event. Note: Showcase invitations are extended to teams who demonstrate consistent engagement and progress throughout the program.
Your Questions, Answered
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Yes, please apply! You do not need to work or study at a university to participate in NewQ. Applicants from industry, startups, government and any other sector are welcome!
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The program is delivered 100% remotely. However, we encourage you to attend any Quantum Australia ecosystem events that are held close to you. We also encourage you to meet up in person with the Quantum Australia Partnership Managers located in your state.
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NewQ supports quantum and quantum-adjacent ideas across the full quantum stack. We do not prioritise one technology area over another- computing, sensing, communications and enabling technologies are all in scope.
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We recommend a minimum of 2 team members. The ideal team size will depend on your project. Teams with complementary and diverse skills, not just technical, tend to be strongest.
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Please email newq@quantum-australia.com
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Yes. NewQ is a pre‑accelerator designed to help you explore your market, customers, and problem space. Your idea doesn’t need to be fully developed, but you should have a clear initial concept, or opportunity you want to investigate.
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No. Quantum Australia does not take ownership of any intellectual property developed by NewQ teams.
Hear more about NewQ
Make the quantum leap from ground state to startup