Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., a Canadian leader in photonic quantum computing, has been selected to participate in the newly launched Canadian Quantum Champions Program (CQCP)—a landmark federal initiative aimed at accelerating the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing and securing Canada’s long-term leadership in the sector. Through the program’s first phase, Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. is eligible to receive up to CAD $23 million in funding.
The CQCP is led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), with technical due diligence conducted by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Designed as a three-phase, merit-based program, the initiative begins with rigorous technical validation and benchmarking, with later phases intended to scale promising quantum platforms toward practical deployment.
Funding from ISED will support Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc.’s mission to build quantum computers that deliver real-world utility, moving beyond experimental systems toward fault-tolerant architectures that can address complex scientific and industrial challenges.
“This is an important moment for quantum computing in Canada,” said Christian Weedbrook, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc.. “We aim to harness quantum computing to solve problems beyond the reach of today’s computers and unlock transformative solutions for science, industry, and society.”
As part of the CQCP, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) will launch the Benchmarking Quantum Platforms (BQP) initiative, bringing interdisciplinary expertise to assess the technical progress of participating companies. The evaluation framework is intended to ensure that federal investment is directed toward scalable, high-impact quantum technologies.
The program has also drawn strong endorsement from federal leadership. Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, described the CQCP as a strategic investment in national capability, designed to retain world-class talent and ensure the economic benefits of quantum innovation remain anchored in Canada.
Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. distinguishes itself through a photonic quantum computing architecture, which operates at room temperature and offers high qubit connectivity—key advantages for scaling fault-tolerant systems. The company’s latest system, Aurora, serves as a proof-of-concept for a modular, networkable approach to quantum computing, laying the groundwork for large-scale, error-corrected machines.
Participation in the CQCP further strengthens Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc.’s role in advancing practical quantum applications across industries including drug discovery, advanced chemistry, aerospace, defence, and artificial intelligence.
The announcement was released by Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp., which is currently pursuing a proposed business combination with Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Editorial Perspective | The Times Magazine
From an industry lens, Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. represents a rare convergence of theoretical depth and engineering pragmatism in quantum computing. While many quantum efforts remain confined to laboratory-scale demonstrations, Xanadu’s photonic approach directly addresses scalability, energy efficiency, and system interconnectivity—three factors widely viewed as essential for fault-tolerant quantum systems.
The federal backing through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) signals growing alignment between public policy and deep-technology execution. Rather than dispersing resources broadly, the CQCP reflects a focused strategy to elevate national champions capable of competing globally.
Equally important is the ecosystem effect. With evaluation support from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and growing momentum around platforms like Aurora, Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. appears well positioned to translate Canada’s strong quantum research heritage into commercially and scientifically consequential systems.
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