The Hidden Players Powering The Future Of Quantum Computing

Dr. Pravir Malik is the founder and technologist of QIQuantum and the Forbes Technology Council Community leader for Quantum Computing.

software developer working at computer

Zayed Hossain

The race to build practical quantum computers often dominates headlines, but the future of the quantum industry will depend on far more than the companies designing the machines themselves. The quantum era creates opportunities for companies that provide the tools, infrastructure, applications and expertise needed to make the technology accessible and impactful.

To help industry leaders turn quantum computing from a scientific breakthrough into a usable technology, I ask members of the Quantum Computing Group, a community that I lead through Forbes Technology Council, for major contributions from companies that lie outside the mechanics.

1. Workforce Talent Pipelines

A company makes a lasting quantum impact by pioneering workforce talent pipelines. Embedding quantum literacy into corporate training, sponsoring university fellowships, and building simulation sandboxes where engineers explore quantum logic sans hardware cultivates a ready talent pool. This human infrastructure investment addresses the industry's most critical bottleneck: skilled practitioners who bridge abstract quantum theory with tangible, real-world and enterprise-ready deployment at scale. - Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen Infotech

2. Open-Source Standards

You don't need to build the brain of a quantum computer to help the industry grow; you can build the bridge. Companies can contribute by developing open-source standards that make quantum tools easier for businesses to use. By creating a common language that connects new hardware to real-world problems, you help turn a complex science experiment into a useful tool for everyone. - Mahendran Chinnaiah

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3. Quantum-Ready Algorithms

The quantum era won’t be defined by those who build qubits, but by those who make them matter. Companies that design quantum-ready algorithms, engineer error-resilient workflows and anchor use cases in real industries will turn fragile physics into a reliable advantage. Their edge lies in translating possibility into performance, shaping where quantum delivers its first undeniable, enterprise-scale value. I see great potential for quantum in finance, pharma and logistics and supply chain in particular. - Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Morgan Stanley

4. Datacenter/HPC Integration

Major contributions to quantum computing are needed in building the ecosystem that makes useful quantum systems deployable: hybrid quantum-classical workflows, datacenter/HPC integration, supply-chain infrastructure, and early customer pilots. Progress will accelerate as enterprises co-design use cases within this ecosystem, helping early quantum applications deliver value in real workflows. - Paul Lipman, Infleqtion

5. Error-Mitigation Tools

One major contribution is building the software, tools and infrastructure around quantum systems. Companies can create compilers, error-mitigation tools, orchestration platforms and domain-specific applications that make quantum hardware usable. In many industries, the real value will come from the ecosystem, not just the machine itself. - Dr. Sanjay Kumar, City of New Orleans

6. Domain-Specific Solutions

Companies don’t need to build quantum hardware to shape the industry. They can drive quantum advantage readiness. By developing new algorithms, advancing error-correction techniques, and enabling hybrid quantum-classical workflows, they turn theory into usable systems. The real impact lies in solving domain-specific problems before hardware fully matures. - Anusha Nerella

7. Error-Mitigation Tools

Companies can develop algorithms, middleware, error-mitigation tools or domain-specific applications (e.g., optimization, materials, finance) that run on existing quantum hardware. This drives real-world use cases, accelerates adoption, and creates value regardless of hardware ownership. - Venkata Kondepati, Ascentt

8. Compilers

A high-impact contribution comes from building the quantum software and orchestration layer. Companies can develop compilers, error mitigation, and hybrid algorithms that bridge classical HPC and quantum backends. By abstracting hardware diversity and optimizing workloads across platforms, they turn experimental devices into usable systems and accelerate real-world adoption without owning quantum hardware. - Nicola Sfondrini, PWC