University of Calgary alum Jordan Smith and his research-based startup Quantized Technologies Inc. (QTi) are looking to transform global internet communications by building the first commercial quantum repeater, an essential device for enabling the backbone of the future quantum internet. And QTi is currently raising $4 million in investment to advance these efforts, building on its success in developing advanced quantum encryption devices.
Smith and QTi represent the significant impact UCalgary research-driven startups can have when adapting research to market insight developed through extensive engagement with customers, stakeholders, and industry experts.
Before co-founding QTi, Jordan Smith, BComm’12, BSc’20, MSc’23, already had a career as an entrepreneur. After earning his Bachelor of Commerce in Business from UCalgary in 2012, he launched multiple ventures, including a high-performance automotive company, a crane business, and a construction company.
Following nearly a decade of traditional entrepreneurship, Smith started looking for a new challenge. One in which he could make a major global impact while simultaneously indulging his long-time interest in physics. So in 2017, he decided to return to UCalgary, where he earned a bachelor’s (2020) and a master’s (2023) in quantum physics.
While studying, he was introduced to the pressing cybersecurity challenges posed by advances in quantum computing. And given his background in entrepreneurship, he immediately sought ways to utilize the university’s advanced knowledge in quantum computing and realize major technical and commercial solutions.
In 2021, Smith and his master’s supervisor, Dr. Daniel Oblak, PhD, from UCalgary’s Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, co-founded QTi to address the looming security risks of quantum computing by developing quantum-safe encryption devices. And their first major project was QuSera, a quantum-secure encryption platform designed to protect sensitive data from next-generation cyber threats.
QTi completed top programs, such as Aeir—powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking—CDL-Quantum, Plug and Play, and QAI Ventures, while also gaining support from the Quantum City, the Alberta Innovation Catalyst Grant, Alberta Innovates, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and Mitacs. And with customers already lining up to pilot and purchase QuSera, QTi grew a world-class team of 18 people, secured over $2 million in non-dilutive funding, attracted over $1.5 million in pre-order sales commitments, and recently launched a new investment round.
KEY QUOTES:
“Quantum computers will soon have the power to break conventional encryption, putting sensitive data at risk. Our goal with QTi has always been to stay ahead of that threat by developing encryption devices that provide organizations with true quantum-safe security.”
“The support we’ve received has been incredible. At each step, people have stepped up to help us because they believe in what we’re building. That kind of validation keeps us moving forward.”
“While working on quantum encryption devices, we began to see a larger problem. The future quantum-enabled internet will require new hardware like quantum repeaters. We quickly realized that we’re uniquely poised—with the team, technology, connections, knowledge, and momentum we’ve already built—to develop a novel quantum repeater.”
- Jordan Smith
“Encryption is only part of the solution. Without a functional quantum network, we won’t be able to scale quantum computing or communications effectively. A secure, large-scale quantum infrastructure is the key to unlocking the next generation of technological advancements.”
- Dr. Daniel Oblak, QTi’s co-founder and Chief Scientist
