QAI Ventures and Enterprise Singapore Launch QuantumAI Accelerator to Power Asia’s Deep-Tech Revolution

acked by Enterprise Singapore, the program aims to turn frontier research into scalable startups in quantum computing and AI.

Singapore’s growing status as Asia’s innovation powerhouse just gained fresh momentum. Switzerland-based venture capital firm QAI Ventures has partnered with Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) to launch the QuantumAI Accelerator and Venture Building Program, designed to nurture startups working at the intersection of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced computing.

The collaboration also marks QAI Ventures’ official entry into Asia, alongside the opening of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore. The accelerator’s debut, announced during the Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH) on October 29, aligns with the government’s S$300 million National Quantum Strategy, reinforcing Singapore’s ambition to become the regional hub for frontier technologies.

The firm brings experience from Europe and North America, where it has incubated over 20 startups and built a portfolio of 27 deep-tech ventures. Now, Singapore will serve as the launchpad for translating scientific breakthroughs into scalable startups capable of competing globally.

Why QuantumAI and Why Now?

The convergence of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, often referred to as QuantumAI, represents one of the most promising frontiers in deep tech. Quantum machines can theoretically process data 13,000 times faster than traditional supercomputers, according to Google, unlocking new possibilities in drug discovery, materials science, climate modeling, and financial modeling.

Analysts estimate that quantum technology could unlock over US$250 billion in market value across industries, as reported by Bain & Company. Yet, most of this innovation remains trapped within research labs, slowed by high costs, limited expertise, and fragmented commercialization pathways.

That’s where QAI Ventures comes in. “Through our VC-funded Accelerator, Venture Building programs, and deep industry collaborations, QAI Ventures is building the future of QuantumAI in Asia, backed by Enterprise Singapore,” said Alexandra Beckstein, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of QAI Ventures. “Our model fosters entrepreneurial dynamism, drives economic growth, and empowers innovators to translate QuantumAI breakthroughs into real-world impact.”

Inside the QuantumAI Accelerator

The QuantumAI Accelerator is a five-month intensive program built to help early-stage founders convert complex research into viable products. Participants gain access to global experts in quantum technology, AI, venture capital, and regulatory strategy.

The curriculum covers:

• Intellectual property (IP) strategy and protection
  
• Product-market fit for frontier technologies
  
• Fundraising and governance in deep tech
  
• Compliance frameworks across global markets
  

Each cohort concludes with a Demo Day where founders pitch to an international network of investors and corporate partners. Applications are open until March 2, 2026, and the first cohort will launch in mid-2026.

The accelerator also offers up to US$200,000 in non-dilutive funding during the program, followed by up to US$2 million in post-program investment opportunities for selected startups.

Building Startups from Research: The Venture Building Program

Complementing the accelerator, QAI Ventures will launch its Venture Building Program in 2026, targeting scientists and entrepreneurs working on high-value intellectual property. The initiative will help transform lab-stage research into commercial startups and create a self-sustaining quantum ecosystem in Singapore.

Key objectives include:

• Registering seven new ventures by 2027, with three in 2026 and four the following year.
  
• Utilizing QAI’s proprietary database of over 2,000 patents to identify spinout opportunities.
  
• Partnering with local universities and R&D institutions to bridge gaps between research and commercialization.
  

“The partnership provides a crucial bridge from laboratory to market,” said Sophia Ng, Executive Director of the Startup Ecosystem at EnterpriseSG. “These startups can now scale globally while addressing industry challenges through accelerated go-to-market development.”

Singapore’s Expanding Quantum Ecosystem

Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy, announced in 2024, aims to consolidate two decades of research—representing over S$400 million in prior funding—into a unified roadmap. This roadmap supports infrastructure, talent, and commercialization efforts, making the city-state a central node in the global quantum network.

Under this strategy, the government will engage leading companies across finance, biopharma, materials science, and chemicals to develop quantum proof-of-concepts by 2026. The goal is to position Singapore not just as a research hub, but as a global testbed for deploying quantum technologies in enterprise environments.

During SWITCH 2025, this was illustrated through the GenQ Global Quantum Hackathon, where teams built practical solutions such as interpretable quantum graph neural networks for credit-card fraud detection, developed for DBS Bank. The hackathon showcased real-world applications in finance, energy, and life sciences—highlighting how quantum and AI can jointly drive industrial transformation.

Global Context: A Race for Commercial Quantum Advantage

Across the world, the race to commercialize quantum computing is accelerating. Tech giants like IonQ, Microsoft, Quantinuum, and IBM are investing billions to bring quantum hardware to market, while deep-tech startups are emerging with niche use cases.

Recent acquisitions, such as IonQ’s US$1.075 billion purchase of Oxford Ionics, highlight the growing appetite for quantum-AI talent and intellectual property. With many experts predicting that quantum computing could reach commercial maturity by the early 2030s, Singapore’s move to host QAI Ventures now positions it ahead of the adoption curve in Asia.

A Platform for Asia’s Deep-Tech Future

QAI Ventures’ expansion demonstrates how venture capital, academia, and policy can converge to accelerate deep-tech innovation. The partnership with EnterpriseSG is more than a funding initiative—it’s an ecosystem-building strategy, giving startups the capital, mentorship, and infrastructure needed to thrive.

By embedding itself in Singapore’s innovation fabric, QAI Ventures brings a structured “lab-to-IPO” pipeline to Asia’s most promising quantum startups. If successful, the program could transform Singapore into a launchpad for QuantumAI ventures addressing global challenges—from drug discovery to climate modeling.

Quick Takeaways

• QAI Ventures, a Swiss venture firm, has partnered with EnterpriseSG to launch Singapore’s first QuantumAI Accelerator and Venture Building Program.
  
• The initiative aligns with Singapore’s S$300 million National Quantum Strategy, aiming to commercialize research and build a regional quantum startup ecosystem.
  
• The five-month accelerator begins mid-2026, with applications open until March 2, 2026.
  
• QAI Ventures plans to create seven new startups in Singapore by 2027 and deploy capital through both equity and venture-building routes.
  
• The move reflects growing investor confidence that QuantumAI is transitioning from theory to commercialization, positioning Singapore as a critical hub for Asia’s deep-tech future.