How uptownBasel and QAI Ventures are Accelerating Quantum Innovation

​Challenge

​uptownBasel is an international competence center for Industry 4.0. Located in Arlesheim, near Basel, Switzerland, it aims to become a leading hub for innovation and technology transfer. In December 2022, uptownBasel launched QuantumBasel, Switzerland's first quantum computer hub to provide companies, startups, and academic institutions access to quantum computing technologies and expertise to speed up innovation in fields like pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and industrial production. ​​

 

To fulfil this mission, QAI Ventures, the dedicated venture fund and accelerator of uptownBasel needed a fast, reliable, and data-driven approach to identify cutting-edge quantum startups, without the time and cost constraints of traditional scouting methods.​

​​​​

• Relying on desk research and personal networks limited their ability to discover promising startups outside their existing connections

• Scouting for quantum technologies was highly time-consuming, with employees spending up to 15 hours per week manually researching and qualifying companies

• Need for a data-driven approach to systematically identify high-potential startups aligned with their needs

 

Solution

The goal was to implement a long-term solution that goes go far beyond the existing approach of desk research and network outreach to ensure they never miss high-potential startups. ​​

​

• AI-powered: Using AI-powered matchmaking, over 500+ relevant quantum technologies startups across different quantum applications were identified

• Data-driven: PatentPlus’ extensive innovation database, featuring detailed insights on products and services, enabled a faster and more precise qualification of relevant results

• Easy-to-use: uptownBasel and QAI Ventures could focus on searching by use cases rather than specific technologies, eliminating the need for prior expertise in selecting the best technology 

 

Outcome

Through PatentPlus, uptownBasel and QAI Ventures successfully identified and partnered with several promising quantum startups, including Kipu Quantum, which they backed when they were just getting started. Today, Kipu Quantum has grown into one of Germany's most promising quantum startups, demonstrating the real impact of AI-driven scouting and early engagement. These collaborations strengthened uptownBasel's innovation ecosystem, driving advancements in quantum technology applications across multiple industries. By leveraging the PatentPlus platform they saved hundreds of hours in searching and qualifying the right startups, allowing them to focus on what matters most - supporting their quantum companies to pioneering breakthroughs in quantum technology.​

​

"We reduced our manual startup research from 15 hours per employee per week to just 20 minutes" - Alexandra Beckstein, CEO, QAI Ventures

​​​​

• Time and cost savings: Cut time spent on startup research from 15 hours per week per employee to just 20 minutes while increasing outreach to new startups

• Data-driven discovery: Identified over 500+ relevant opportunities that were added to uptownBasel’s and QAI Ventures' existing list of 150 startups

• Successful matches: Connected with, and invested in, promising startups early on - notably Kipu Quantum​​ which was not on their radar​​

 

​By partnering with PatentPlus, uptownBasel and QAI Ventures continue to lead the way in quantum innovation, helping shape the future of quantum computing and AI.

​​​​​​

"To find the right startups and R&D partners for our growing ecosystem, PatentPlus offers us exactly the right platform. We use the platform on a daily basis and it gives us a good feeling that we always have an eye on the market."

​

​

​​

​

​

Learn more about how PatentPlus can support your business here.

​​