Building Readiness with Intention

Newsletters

March 9, 2026

Building Readiness with Intention

Each issue of Quantum Connect offers a snapshot of where our community is focusing its energy. This quarter, that focus centers on building readiness.

Quantum technology is still emerging. Applications are developing, infrastructure is coming online, and industry interest is growing. Market demand is forming more gradually. That timing gives our region a valuable window: space to prepare thoughtfully.

Through a $1.3 million National Science Foundation planning grant led by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and in partnership with The Company Lab (CO.LAB) and EPB, we are designing a coordinated Quantum Innovation & Talent Pipeline.

One track focuses on people. The other focuses on application. Together, they strengthen long-term regional readiness.

Our role at CQC is coordination — aligning partners, connecting efforts, and helping promising work move forward with clarity and shared direction.

We’re grateful to be building alongside so many committed collaborators.

Onward,

Charlie Brock, CQC CEO

Talent Pipeline: Building Familiarity and Confidence

This year’s talent efforts center on three groups: postsecondary students, early-to-mid career professionals, and K–12 educators.

Postsecondary: Applied Coursework

In January, quantum concepts were integrated into existing networking and cybersecurity courses at Chattanooga State Community College. Rather than launching a new degree program, Chattanooga State embedded quantum content directly into coursework students were already pursuing.

Fifty-seven students enrolled this spring, gaining early exposure to quantum networking and security concepts alongside practical technical skills.

Early-Mid Career: Earn-While-You-Learn

Launching in Q2, a new quantum pre-apprenticeship developed with BuildWithin will support ten early-to-mid career professionals who want to understand how quantum technologies may influence their industries.

Participants will build foundational fluency in terminology, emerging applications, and sector relevance while continuing to work.

K–12 Educators: Expanding Classroom Confidence

From June 22–26, twenty-six teachers from Chattanooga and Hamilton County will participate in professional learning using curriculum developed and taught by Sandia National Laboratories through its QCaMP program.

Teachers receive stipends for participating and for bringing age-appropriate quantum concepts back into their classrooms. The emphasis is accessibility — helping educators introduce complex ideas in ways that feel manageable and connected to existing STEM instruction.

These efforts establish a shared baseline of understanding across multiple stages of the talent lifecycle.

Know a K-12 teacher who would like to learn more about quantum? Have them apply for this summer's QCaMP here

Innovation Pipeline: From Exploration to Application

🚀 Quantum in Action

This spring, CO.LAB’s Quantum in Action series kicks off with support from LaunchTN.

Half-day university events will introduce students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to practical quantum use cases and commercialization pathways. They also connect participants to regional resources and future opportunities.

The series reflects how Chattanooga organizations collaborate toward shared goals — with CO.LAB leading startup engagement and CQC helping align programming within the broader Innovation & Talent Pipeline.

💡 Student Innovation Challenge

Later this year, we will host an undergraduate-focused student innovation challenge in collaboration with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and regional partners.

Some might describe this format as a “hackathon.” In practice, it functions as a structured academic design sprint.

Students will participate in introductory learning modules before working in interdisciplinary teams to develop conceptual system designs based on industry-informed scenarios. The focus is on architecture, tradeoffs, resilience, and security — explored in a classroom-style setting supported by UTC faculty and mentors.

No prior quantum background is required.

Teams presenting especially strong ideas may be connected to follow-on pathways such as CO.LAB’s accelerator, research collaborations, commercialization programs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, or other aligned initiatives.

🏆 Quantum Energy Impact Prize

Building on the student challenge, energy partners will define practical challenge statements grounded in operational and strategic priorities.

These industry-defined problems will form the basis of a Quantum Energy Impact Prize later this year.

Solutions may involve quantum, hybrid, or classical approaches. The objective is not to prescribe technology, but to examine where advanced computing may offer measurable value in energy and grid contexts.

Sequencing these efforts allows exploration to deepen gradually — from awareness to conceptual design to industry-defined opportunity. Additional partner-led initiatives are also in development, and we’ll share more as those plans take shape.

Talent development is most effective when ideas have somewhere to go. The Innovation Pipeline, led by CO.LAB, CQC and others, focuses on creating structured pathways for exploration and applied design.

At the same time, interest in Chattanooga’s evolving ecosystem is increasing. We’re seeing growing curiosity from pure-play quantum companies exploring whether to establish a presence here, as well as from existing industry partners interested in pilots and demonstrations — both with local collaborators and quantum providers elsewhere.

Between exploratory conversations and in-person visits, CQC and partners such as the Chamber and EPB are engaging with prospective projects on nearly a weekly basis. Much of this work remains early and exploratory by design, but the cadence signals a maturing economic development pipeline taking shape alongside the talent and innovation efforts described below.

Q&A with CO.LAB CEO Tasia Malakasis

Speaking of the innovation pipeline, we asked CEO Tasia Malakasis to share her perspective on entrepreneurship and this moment for Chattanooga.

CQC: For readers who may not know CO.LAB well, what do you do?

Tasia: We help founders turn ideas into scalable businesses. That includes accelerator programs, mentorship, access to capital, and hands-on guidance through the early stages of growth.

Just as important, we work to make entrepreneurship feel accessible. Building a startup can feel isolating and sometimes scary! We focus on creating the networks and support systems that help founders move faster, smarter and more confidently.

CQC: What impact does that have on a region like Chattanooga?

Tasia: In addition to creating companies, startups can help create capability. Over time, that means new jobs, outside investment, and talent that chooses to stay and build here.

The effect compounds. Founders mentor other founders. Early employees launch their own ventures. That ripple effect strengthens the entire local economy.

CQC: What do people sometimes misunderstand about entrepreneurship?

Tasia: It’s not only about launching a startup. It’s a mindset.

Entrepreneurial thinking shows up inside established companies, nonprofits, and public institutions. It encourages experimentation, problem-solving, and thoughtful risk-taking — all of which make communities more adaptable.

CQC: What excites you about the Innovation Pipeline work connected to the NSF planning grant?

Tasia: We get to build entrepreneurial muscle while the technology is still taking shape.

Quantum is early, which means there’s space to ask better questions and define real problems. Through Quantum in Action, the student innovation challenge, and the Energy Impact Prize, we’re helping people practice problem-solving in a new domain before markets are fully defined.

When founders and industry partners develop the habit of tackling emerging challenges early, they’re positioned to move quickly when the opportunity is clearer.

EPB Quantum Fellows: Workforce Development

EPB Quantum’s new Quantum Computing Fellowship Training Program. Front row, left to right: Fellows Noah Crum, Cade Kennedy, Nowar Alashkar, Audrey Versteegen. Back row: Fellows Pete Pritchard, Tanner Rase, Mason Blanchard, Daniel Germain, EPB Quantum Computing Manager Paul SmithPhoto Credit to EPB

EPB is advancing the development of a quantum ecosystem with a new Quantum Computing Fellowship, funded by a $4 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The new Quantum Computing Fellowship provides valuable training and real-world experience, equipping participants to develop quantum solutions that benefit EPB customers and the Chattanooga community. The program is designed to build a local quantum-ready workforce and support new, local job creation in the rapidly emerging quantum industry.

“This critical investment in workforce development will prepare a highly skilled workforce to lead the quantum future and keep Chattanooga’s innovation ecosystem on the cutting edge,” said EPB President and CEO-elect Janet Rehberg.

Interest in the fellowship was strong, with more than 100 qualified applicants nationwide. Eight fellows were selected from Maryland, Tennessee, New York, Georgia, Michigan, and Missouri. They are now gaining hands-on experience and quantum-ready skills.

Preparing participants with real-world experience, the program combines structured learning in quantum mechanics, algorithms, and machine learning with applied projects. Fellows are currently collaborating with IonQ, ORNL, and NVIDIA to explore load-balancing optimization on a section of EPB’s grid.

By pairing education with applied experimentation, the fellowship strengthens both talent development and industry insight.

World Quantum Day: Expanding Curiosity

*Tyner Academy students program Google Teachable Machines as part of their World Quantum Day learning activity. From Left to right: Maurice Ellison, Qwanell Lowe, Adrian Vasquez, and Cameron Tucker*

At the community level, World Quantum Day (April 14) offers a moment to invite broader engagement.

This year, activities will span several weeks, with short on-demand learning modules and informal events, The aim is simple: make participation approachable!

Partners across the region may host classroom lessons, discussions, and gatherings. A shared calendar will help coordinate and amplify those efforts. Check out the free learning modules available on the CQC website here.

In Conversation

Danna Bailey moderates “From Lab to Launch: Quantum Innovation Meets Market Opportunity.” Pictured left to right: Danna Bailey (CQC), Charlie Brock (CQC), Rick Mukherjee (UTC), and Shaun Gleason (ORNL)

Over the past few months, we’ve been invited into a lot of conversations about quantum. Though they’ve taken place in different rooms with different audiences, they've all been shaped by a common set of questions: How might quantum technology influence innovation? What does it mean for workforce and economic development? And where does regional collaboration matter most?

The moments below offer a snapshot of those conversations—and the relationships and ideas they continue to shape.