Speeches
Speech by Minister Josephine Teo at Horizon Quantum’s Hardware Testbed Inauguration 2026
26 January 2026
Dr Joe Fitzsimons,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Quantum,
Dr Si-Hui Tan,
Chief Scientific Officer of Horizon Quantum,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen from the Media,
It gives me great pleasure to join you for this afternoon’s inauguration.
Let me start by extending my warmest congratulations to Horizon Quantum on the launch of your hardware testbed. We see this as a milestone for Horizon Quantum, and also for Singapore’s quantum ecosystem as a whole. The question is, “Why?”
To Prepare Singapore to Reap the Benefits from the Potential of Quantum Computing
We know quantum computers hold immense promise. Fault Tolerant Quantum Computing, or FTQC, could be transformative.
By enabling large-scale quantum computers to run millions of logical operations, FTQC could enable breakthroughs that address real-world use cases.
This includes in drug discovery, process optimisation, and the synthesis of materials, amongst other applications.
In a nutshell, FTQC could lead to meaningful value creation for society.
In 2024, we launched Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy. Singapore committed nearly $300 million to strengthen our position as a leading hub for the development and deployment of quantum technologies, building on earlier investments.
Our five national-level quantum programmes are integral to this effort. In particular, the National Quantum Computing Hub is exploring quantum computing use cases in sectors like finance, drug discovery, and logistics.
But our national programmes cannot unlock the promise and potential of quantum computing on their own.
We also need a healthy ecosystem of industry, enterprises, investors, start-ups, and scale-ups.
Specifically, ecosystem players like Horizon Quantum contribute to the development of quantum hardware and software.
These developments will advance our journey collectively towards FTQC – and the breakthrough applications that it could bring to society.
With the launch of this hardware testbed, Horizon Quantum has become the first quantum software company to own and operate its own quantum computer in Singapore. This alone makes it noteworthy.
As more quantum computing systems come online within this testbed, Singapore’s role as a global quantum infrastructure node and hub for algorithms and applications will only grow stronger – that is our vision.
Importance of Global Collaboration at the Frontier of Technology Development
That Horizon Quantum’s first quantum computer was built and run in-house with best-in-class components is particularly commendable.
It reflects the deep capabilities that have been built up within the Horizon Quantum team. It also speaks to the linkages and trust that you have built with some of the world’s leading suppliers of quantum computing components.
Singapore recognises that global collaboration will be critical to advancing quantum technology development. Just this month, I signed Singapore’s first quantum-specific bilateral agreement with Japan.
Together, we will explore collaboration in eight key areas. This includes research and innovation, security policy, as well as standards and governance.
Equally, our quantum ecosystem only succeeds if our start-ups can collaborate with best-in-class companies globally, such as Maybell Quantum, Quantum Machines, and Rigetti Computing.
I hope that Horizon Quantum’s example inspire other quantum start-ups in Singapore to partner with quantum companies globally. Equally, I hope that leading quantum companies from around the world will find good opportunities to work with our ecosystem.
Just last week, when I was in Davos, I had a really surreal experience. I was sitting on stage for a panel discussion, and right next to me was the 2025 Nobel Prize winner in Physics – John Martinis. I was the only government representative on that panel, and I was explaining to the crowd why quantum technology was important to a country like Singapore.
I was just done with my explanation, when John shot his hand up and exclaimed, “My startup Qolab has a collaboration with Singapore!” And it turned out what John’s startup Qolab was hoping to do was to leverage the semiconductor manufacturing capabilities that existed in our ecosystem to manufacture some of the components that he needed for his quantum computer.
Talent is a Key Enabler for Industry
I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the people behind Horizon Quantum, because talent sits at the heart of any new venture.
That spirit is reflected in a detail I recently learnt – that Horizon Quantum’s Singapore headquarters is helmed by an Irishman, and its Dublin office led by a Singaporean.
Joe, Si-Hui – you and your team are a stellar example. You showcase what is possible when our best homegrown talent partners with the best in the world who have chosen to call Singapore home.
I was delighted to learn that 13 out of 18 of Horizon Quantum’s scientists joined the company from the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
Our universities have a strong record of research excellence in quantum. Horizon Quantum’s team of alumni from CQT and NTU is yet another data point of the calibre of quantum talent – both homegrown, and those who have found a home here – that form our ecosystem today.
We are committed to continue growing the quantum talent base. This is why we created the National Quantum Scholarship Scheme. Our talent base includes Singaporeans who have gone abroad and established themselves on foreign shores.
I met Bryan Choo, the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Maybell Quantum, earlier this afternoon.
Even though your journey with Maybell has taken you far from home in Denver, Colorado, Singapore is proud of what you have achieved in building Maybell into a leading quantum component supplier.
On that note, I’d like to say that as we grow Singapore’s quantum ecosystem, we hope many more people and companies will follow in Horizon Quantum’s and Maybell’s footsteps.
Thank you once again for inviting me.