KIST Bridges Korean Quantum Startups to Midwest Innovation Ecosystem in Wisconsin and Chicago

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following Quantum World Congress (QWC) 2026 in Maryland, four Korean quantum startups have expanded their U.S. market engagement through the Global Bridge Program, spanning Wisconsin and Chicago. Spearheaded by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the initiative connected the participating startups directly with accelerators, researchers, commercialization hubs and industry partners to explore opportunities for technology collaboration, business development and U.S. market entry.

The program is part of South Korea's Deeptech Incubator Project for Startups (DIPS), overseen by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and administered by the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development. As the lead organization for the quantum technology sector, KIST drives technology commercialization and global expansion through international exhibitions and conferences, technology exchanges, targeted networking, and cross-border partnership development.

Wisconsin: Direct Pitch Access and Regional Economic Ties

In Milwaukee, the delegation completed an intensive pitch session with gener8tor, a U.S. accelerator and venture platform. Co-founders Troy Vosseller and Joe Kirgues engaged directly with the startup founders through focused discussions and Q&As. Designed as an intimate, tailored workshop, the session provided direct access to gener8tor's leadership team while exploring avenues to connect Korean quantum companies with gener8tor's broader corporate network.

The delegation also met with Fanfu Li, Director of International Business Development (WEDC), to discuss opportunities to connect Korean startups with local businesses and industry networks. Both sides agreed to maintain momentum, with further discussions on Wisconsin trade delegation's scheduled visit to South Korea in November 2026.

Chicago: From Research to Industrialization

In Chicago, the program focused on pathways from quantum research to commercialization and manufacturing. The delegation met with leaders across the Chicago quantum ecosystem, including the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), the University of Chicago, the Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, mHUB and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). The delegation also met with the Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC), including Chief Quantum Officer Preeti Chalsani, to discuss Illinois' growing quantum ecosystem and opportunities to connect Korean quantum startups with the state's business and industry networks.

At the University of Chicago, the participating startups presented their technologies to David Awschalom, Director of the Chicago Quantum Institute and Founding Director of the CQE, while exploring research and commercialization opportunities across Chicago's quantum ecosystem.

Key highlights focused on how Chicago bridges quantum R&D with advanced hard-tech manufacturing:

• Bloch Quantum Tech Hub: Connects quantum innovation with manufacturing and industry.
• mHUB: Serves as Chicago's hard-tech innovation center, supporting product validation and business scale-up.
• Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP): A 128-acre development bringing together quantum and microelectronics businesses, researchers, suppliers and advanced infrastructure.

Together, these engagements gave the Korean delegation a first-hand look at how Chicago's quantum ecosystem connects research and startup development with technology validation, manufacturing and market deployment.

Building a Pathway into the U.S. Quantum Ecosystem

"For Korean quantum startups to scale globally, it is important not only to showcase their technologies overseas, but to build sustained relationships with investors, institutions and industrial leaders," said Dr. SunJoon Kang, Director of KIST's Technology Commercialization Office and head of DIPS quantum sector.

The Midwest tour builds on KIST's series of 2026 U.S. engagements, which began with the SelectUSA Investment Summit and continued through QWC 2026.

Participating Startups:

• TruPixel: Develops SPAD-based single-photon detection sensors for quantum communications, advanced sensing and imaging.
• OptiQ-Labs: Manufactures optical hardware for trapped-ion quantum technologies, including ultra-narrow-linewidth laser and ion-trap systems.
• QRENS: Develops quantum software, including the AI-driven QubitSquare framework and Q-Vista digital-twin simulator.
• Elixir: Delivers classical-quantum hybrid computing solutions for medical data analysis, biomarker discovery and drug development.

SOURCE The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)