London Quantum Cluster (LQC) – Where Quantum Comes Together
We put a spotlight on the London Quantum Technology Cluster, a major initiative backed by City Hall to position the capital as a global hub for quantum innovation.
Bringing together UCL, Imperial College London, and King’s College London, the cluster connects leading universities with industry, government, investors, and local communities to drive forward this sector.
Seeded with a £500,000 investment from the Mayor of London, the initiative is designed to fast-track the commercialisation of quantum research, support start-ups and spinouts, and cultivate a dynamic, inclusive ecosystem. Announced at the Commercialising Quantum Global 2025 conference, the cluster will also establish shared infrastructure, including specialised quantum equipment, lab space, and business support, with plans to develop a dedicated quantum incubator.
Leveraging established innovation hubs such as the Knowledge Quarter around Euston, the QEOP Innovation District and White City, the cluster will, for the first time, create the coordinated infrastructure needed to seed, grow and scale quantum businesses across the capital.
Building on the success of the London Centre for Nanotechnology, the initiative will connect with national assets such as the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and strengthen international collaboration across Europe. It also aligns with the UK government’s broader commitment to advancing national quantum capabilities. It reflects the growing global focus on the sector – 2025 was the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
Led by UCL’s Strategic Innovation Partnerships team on behalf of the consortium, the cluster will also emphasise inclusive growth. They will be working with local partners to inspire future talent and ensure the benefits of innovation are widely shared. With support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the initiative is expected to play a key role in London’s ambition to drive economic growth, create jobs, and establish itself as a world-leading centre for quantum technology.
Why Quantum Matters
Research by Oxford Economics for IBM predicts that quantum computing technologies could add £212 billion to UK GDP by 2045.
Quantum technologies have the potential to transform industries and improve lives in profound ways. By increasing computing power, quantum systems could unlock the discovery of next-generation drugs, chemicals, and advanced materials. Quantum navigation and timing technologies offer resilient, highly accurate alternatives in environments where satellite signals are disrupted or unavailable. Meanwhile, emerging quantum sensors promise unprecedented precision, enabling applications such as monitoring critical infrastructure or even detecting what lies beneath the ground.
In healthcare, quantum-enabled imaging and diagnostics could support earlier detection of conditions including dementia, epilepsy, and cancer. At the same time, ultra-precise quantum tools may pave the way for more accurate, targeted, and effective surgical interventions.
“Quantum technologies are changing the world – from ultra-sensitive sensors to help diagnose diseases through to the potential of a new type of computer that can do things in seconds that would take today’s computers decades to compute.” – Lord Vallance, Science Minister
Shared with permission and lightly adapted for brevity by Jessica Livermore.
Photo and original story by Sophie Vinter, UCL press office. More information can also be found on the LQC website.
Find Out More
For more information and related stories:
Pioneering London Quantum Technology Cluster launched with support from City Hall
Pioneering London Quantum Technology Cluster launched with support from City Hall
King’s part of pioneering London Quantum Technology Cluster supported by City Hall