QAI Ventures launches Asia’s first QuantumAI accelerator in Singapore

QAI Ventures has launched a QuantumAI accelerator programme in Singapore, aiming to support startups at the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

The new initiative, described by QAI Ventures as the first dedicated QuantumAI accelerator in Asia, is being carried out in partnership with Enterprise Singapore. The move aligns with Singapore's goal to become a key global hub for quantum technologies, and it coincides with broader shifts in the technology industry from conventional artificial intelligence to hybrid approaches combining quantum computing and AI, known as QuantumAI.

The accelerator is backed by multiple corporate and industry partners, including Microsoft, DBS Bank, SoftBank, and Eraneos, as well as quantum hardware partners such as IonQ, Quantinuum, and IQM. According to an industry analysis by Bain & Company, quantum technologies are expected to contribute over USD $250 billion in market value across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, and materials science, in the coming years.

Programmeme details

The QAI Ventures Accelerator is a five-month programme designed to help early-stage founders turn scientific advances into scalable and investment-ready businesses. Participants will have access to mentorship from a global network of quantum technologists, venture capitalists, and industry leaders. Masterclasses will cover topics including intellectual property strategy, product-market fit, fundraising, and corporate governance. The programme will conclude with a Demo Day, providing startups with the opportunity to present their work to international investors and partners.

Applications for the inaugural cohort are open from late October 2025 until early March 2026, with the programme itself scheduled to start in mid-2026. To qualify, startups must be legally incorporated, have a team of at least two founders, and complete a due diligence process.

QAI Ventures will also introduce a venture building programme in 2026, focusing on transforming Singapore's research and intellectual property into commercially viable ventures. This approach is intended to foster job creation and innovation by targeting both researchers with substantial intellectual property and entrepreneurs interested in deep technology and quantum fields. QAI Ventures aims to establish seven new ventures in Singapore by 2027.

Industry perspectives

Alexandra Beckstein, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of QAI Ventures, outlined the firm's strategic objectives for the region, highlighting the impact of partnerships and the need to operationalise breakthroughs in QuantumAI.

"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. Our model fosters entrepreneurial dynamism, drives economic growth, and empowers innovators to translate QuantumAI breakthroughs into real-world impact. The GenQ Hackathon already exemplifies this vision, bringing together leading partners such as Microsoft, DBS Bank, SoftBank, and Eraneos to build the global QuantumAI ecosystem."

Nobushige Oguri, Deputy Director in the Digital Infrastructure Solutions Development Division and Data Platform Strategy Design at SoftBank, commented on the broader potential impact for businesses and technology innovation.

"At SoftBank Corp., we see QuantumAI as a transformative force that will redefine the future of computing, enabling innovators to accelerate real-world breakthroughs."

GenQ Hackathon and talent pipeline

To identify talent for the new accelerator, QAI Ventures hosted the Global GenQ Hackathon, collaborating with partners such as DBS Bank, Microsoft, and Eraneos. The Singapore edition focused on financial sector challenges, including counterparty credit risk, fraud detection, and portfolio optimisation. The winning team, Quantum Kitties, represented by Siddhant Dutta, a PhD student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore's College of Computing & Data Science, and Pavana P. Karant, an undergraduate at GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women, worked on post-hoc credit card fraud detection using Interpretable Quantum Graph Neural Networks. Their approach focused on capturing the underlying data manifold, with results that improved both performance and interpretability.

The Quantum Kitties team was awarded a "Golden Ticket," providing direct entry into the final selection round for the accelerator's first Singapore cohort.

Siddhant Dutta of the Quantum Kitties team remarked on the significance of the experience for their future ambitions.

"We're especially grateful for the opportunity to step into the world of entrepreneurship - that's a huge milestone for us. Winning the challenge track and the overall prize made the experience even more rewarding. A heartfelt thank-you to all the sponsors and partners who made this possible. We're proud to be part of GenQ and so appreciative of how well we were supported by QAI Ventures throughout this journey."

Sophia Ng, Executive Director of the Startup Ecosystem at EnterpriseSG, commented on the strategic intent behind the partnership and the anticipated impact on Singapore's technology landscape.

"Beyond breakthrough research, there is a need to build the bridge from laboratory to market for the quantum revolution to take off. Our partnership with QAI Ventures to venture-build and accelerate growth of quantum startups provides that critical pathway, strengthening Singapore's position as both a launchpad for homegrown quantum ventures and a regional gateway for global startups scaling across Asia. This is a pivotal step in strengthening the quantum readiness among corporates in Singapore, as these startups can help address real industry challenges while benefiting from accelerated go-to-market development,"

The GenQ Hackathon is part of a wider global initiative addressing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, with editions focused on life sciences in Geneva and energy in Calgary, as well as Singapore's edition, which addresses decent work and economic growth. Sponsors of the hackathon included Microsoft, SoftBank, DBS Bank, Eraneos, and quantum hardware partners such as IonQ, Quantinuum, and IQM.

Through the accelerator and its associated activities, QAI Ventures aims to contribute to the expansion of Singapore's technology ecosystem and advance commercial applications for QuantumAI across multiple industries.