NextQ
Accelerate Your Quantum Venture Beyond the Lab
Have a quantum technology with real-world potential? NextQ is a 20-week, non-equity accelerator designed to help quantum ventures move from technical capability to commercial momentum.
Built for high-potential newly formed ventures, NextQ provides up to $200,000 in milestone based project funding, alongside structured mentorship, weekly accountability, and direct access to quantum industry leaders and investors.
➔ NextQ: Accelerate Your Quantum Venture Beyond the Lab
Have a quantum technology with real commercial potential? NextQ is where breakthrough research becomes market-ready momentum.
Across a structured 20-week startup accelerator, NextQ supports new quantum ventures, (incorporated for less than 18 months), in their transition from technical validation to commercial and investor readiness.
Through a milestone-driven program, teams can access up to $200,000 in non-equity project funding, paid in tranches as agreed commercial milestones are achieved—alongside 1:1 support, expert mentorship, and direct engagement with quantum industry leaders, experts and investors.
Over the 20-week program, you’ll:
Strengthen your commercial strategy and define a clear market pathway.
Structure governance, leadership roles, and cap tables for sustainable growth.
Refine financial models and investment strategy.
Prepare an investor-ready pitch, data room and growth roadmap.
Present your venture at a curated showcase to ecosystem leaders and investors.
Applications close 24 May 2026
What is NextQ?
Eligibility
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The core founding/executive team (key decision-makers responsible for delivery and fundraising) must be based in Australia for the duration of the program.
The company must have the operational capacity to build, validate, and engage customers/partners from Australia during the accelerator.
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The applicant must be an Australian-incorporated proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd) with an ABN/ACN.
The company must be headquartered in Australia, with its principal place of business in Australia.
The company must be incorporated no more than 18 months before the application close date.
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The company’s core product/platform must be enabled by, dependent on, or meaningfully advance quantum technologies, including one or more of:
Quantum computing (hardware or software)
Quantum sensing and metrology
Quantum communications and cryptography
Enabling technologies (materials, control systems, cryogenics, photonics, fabrication, infrastructure)
Quantum software, algorithms, and hybrid quantum–classical approaches
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Pre-seed or seed-stage.
Typically TRL 4+ (or equivalent validation progress for software).
Limited or no commercial revenue (pilots, paid trials, and grants are acceptable).
Early-stage venture on the path to becoming investor-ready. University spin-outs are welcome, including those that have received incorporation or translational funding, provided the venture is still pre-Series A and early in its capital-raising journey
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In plain English: your startup needs to clearly own, or have the rights to use, any IP needed to build and sell your product, with no major IP issues that would stop you raising investment or going to market.
1) Foreground IP (created while building the product or service)
All foreground IP developed by founders, employees, contractors or collaborators in the course of developing the product or service must be assigned to, and owned by, the applicant company (or the company can demonstrate a clear, legally enforceable pathway and timeline to secure assignment).2) Background / pre-existing IP (needed to commercialise)
Any pre-existing/background IP that is required to commercialise the product must be:owned by the company, or
subject to a licence that provides clear rights to develop and commercialise (including to use, make, sell and improve) globally (or worldwide within the relevant field of use), and is exclusive where required, perpetual (or for the life of the relevant IP / long enough to support commercialisation), sublicensable, and assignable or otherwise allows transfer on change of control / acquisition, on royalty-free or commercially reasonable terms.
3) Encumbrances and investability
The company must be able to disclose any actual or potential IP encumbrances (e.g., university claims, third-party restrictions, unclear inventor assignments) and demonstrate that there are no material encumbrances that would prevent investment or commercialisation (or that these can be resolved on a clear, credible path). -
Must be able to fly and attend first week and last week in person (Accommodation and flights provided by Quantum Australia) .
Upcoming intakes
& time commitments
Join the next wave of quantum founders:
Cohort 1: 10 April – 21 August (Applications close 15 March 2026)
Cohort 2: 30 Jul - 25 Nov (Applications close 24 May 2026)
20 week program
5 hours contact with New Ventures Team per week + self directed work
Why Apply?
NextQ gives you structure, mentorship and momentum to turn technical potential into venture-ready opportunity.
Expert Mentoring
Work directly with experienced founders, investors and industry leaders who understand both deep tech and commercial reality. You’ll receive candid feedback, sharpen your strategic thinking and focus on the milestones that matter.
Australia’s Quantum Accelerator
NextQ is purpose built for quantum innovation. You wil be surrounded by a community of founders who understand both the science and the commercial challenge of building in this space.
Up To $200,000 Project Funding
Upon completing commercial milestones, eligible teams may receive up to $200,000, in tranched project funding, to accelerate validation, prototype, development or early commercial traction.
Access to the Quantum Australia Network
Join a national community of founders, researchers, corporates and investors shaping Australia’s quantum future. Build relationships that unlock partnerships, talent and long-term opportunity.
Venture-Ready Capability
Develop the skills required to translate quantum innovation into a scalable business. From position you quantum advantage to business modelling, customer discovery and investor storytelling, you will build the foundations needed to secure letter of intents, pilots and capital.
Real Market Validation
Pressure test your idea with customers, industry experts and ecosystem leaders. Identify where quantum delivers meaningful advantage and refine your approach quickly.
Key Participant Takeaways
A Compelling Commercial Narrative
Teams sharpen their narrative beyond the technology.
Meaningful Industry Access
Through QA, participants gain introductions and visibility across the national and global quantum ecosystem spanning research, industry, capital and government.
Commercial Thinking From Day One
Teams adopt a venture mindset early.
From Validation to Investability
Participants move from validation to a commercially credible, investible venture grounded in demonstrable market need.
Project funding criteria
To be eligible for up to $200,000 project funding, paid in tranches, participating teams must meet pre agreed commercialisation milestones and the following fund criteria:
Program Engagement: Actively participate in the program by ensuring all team members attend all scheduled sessions.
Work and Budget plan Completion: Complete and submit all required work plans and deliverables by the specified deadlines.
Evidence of Market Readiness: Demonstrate measurable progress towards having a product, service or system ready for specified market.
Australian Bank Account: Hold a valid Australian bank account to receive the project fund.
Showcase Presentation: Successfully deliver a final pitch at Quantum Australia NextQ Showcase.
Your Questions, Answered
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Yes, please apply! You do not need to work or study at a university to participate in NextQ. Applicants from industry, startups, government and any other sector are welcome!
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NextQ 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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No. Quantum Australia does not take ownership of any intellectual property developed by NextQ teams.
Hear more about NextQ
Make the quantum leap from ground state to successful startup