KIST Connects Four Korean Quantum Startups With U.S. Partners

Insider Brief

• KIST led four Korean quantum startups on a Global Bridge Program tour of Wisconsin and Chicago to explore U.S. market entry, technology partnerships and commercialization opportunities.
• The delegation met with accelerators, research institutions, economic development organizations and quantum ecosystem groups including gener8tor, the Chicago Quantum Exchange, mHUB and IQMP.
• The participating startups were TruPixel, OptiQ-Labs, QRENS and Elixir, covering quantum sensing, trapped-ion hardware, quantum software and hybrid quantum-classical applications.

PRESS RELEASE — Following Quantum World Congress (QWC) 2026 in Maryland, four Korean quantum startups have expanded their U.S. market engagement through the Global Bridge Program, spanning Wisconsin and Chicago. Spearheaded by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the initiative connected the participating startups directly with accelerators, researchers, commercialization hubs and industry partners to explore opportunities for technology collaboration, business development and U.S. market entry.

The program is part of South Korea’s Deeptech Incubator Project for Startups (DIPS), overseen by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and administered by the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development. As the lead organization for the quantum technology sector, KIST drives technology commercialization and global expansion through international exhibitions and conferences, technology exchanges, targeted networking, and cross-border partnership development.