The Stanford Quantum Computing Association
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association is a free Stanford University student organization founded in 2019, serving 800+ Stanford students and ~100 high schoolers annually through workshops, hackathons, reading groups, and courses in quantum computing, with industry partnerships spanning Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Rigetti.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersStanford, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM type—
- OfferingServices
What The Stanford Quantum Computing Association does
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association (SQCA) is a graduate and undergraduate student organization at Stanford University, founded in January 2019 by Knight Hennessy Scholar Jessica Pointing. It is the first and only student organization at Stanford dedicated to quantum computing, operating under a three-pillar framework — PROVIDE (community), PREPARE (education via workshops, field trips, and professor discussions), and PRODUCE (research output through paper reading groups, hackathons, and projects). The organization serves approximately 800+ Stanford undergraduates, graduates, and faculty members, with a 16-person leadership team and a freemium pricing model in which all events, workshops, hackathons, and courses are provided free of charge.
SQCA's core offering is an event-driven educational platform rather than a commercial product. Its proprietary assets include the Course Pathways Program (three tracks: Quantum Algorithms, Quantum Hardware, Quantum Theory), the curated Stanford Quantum Computing Curriculum spanning APPPHYS, CS, EE, PHYSICS, CHEM, MATH, MATSCI, MUSIC, and STATS courses, and the High School Quantum Computing Course (SQHS) — a free 9-week Zoom-based introductory course for high schoolers aged 14+. Distribution channels include on-campus events at Stanford, virtual hackathons (notably QCHack Spring 2021 with Yale, drawing 2.1K participants from 80 countries), a YouTube content library, weekly newsletters, and field trips to quantum hardware companies.
The business model is non-commercial: SQCA generates no disclosed revenue, operates on free membership, and is sustained through Stanford student-activity structures and in-kind industry partnerships. Strategic partners include Google, IBM, Microsoft, Rigetti, Psi Quantum, QCWare, IonQ, Atom Computing, BlueQubit, and Yale University, plus academic collaborations with Q-Farm and the SystemX Alliance. Customer segments are Stanford students (primary) and US-based high school students (secondary), with the Quantum Coalition Hackathon providing a global event surface. SQCA is a private, unincorporated educational entity affiliated with Stanford University — not a for-profit technology company in the conventional sense, which significantly limits the applicability of standard revenue and growth benchmarks.
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Stanford Quantum Computing Association
- Legal name
- Stanford Quantum Computing Association
- Website
- https://qc.stanford.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Stanford Quantum Computing Association is a free Stanford University student organization founded in 2019, serving 800+ Stanford students and ~100 high schoolers annually through workshops, hackathons, reading groups, and courses in quantum computing, with industry partnerships spanning Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Rigetti.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Quantum Computing Education and Community
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quantum Education, Workforce Development & Academic Centers (HDAGAMAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Quantum Education & Certification Programs (HDAGALAA), Quantum Community, Developer Relations & Ecosystem Programs (HDAGALAJ)
Keywords
Where The Stanford Quantum Computing Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stanford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association business model
Business model- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership and Event Services: Free student organization providing educational events, workshops, hackathons, and community building activities at no cost to members. Revenue model not publicly disclosed as this is a university-affiliated student organization.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free membership and events |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association (SQCA) is a graduate and undergraduate student organization at Stanford University dedicated to quantum computing. It delivers free educational programming through three pillars — PROVIDE (community via social events), PREPARE (education via workshops, field trips, professor lunches, guest speakers), and PRODUCE (research and projects via paper reading groups, hackathons, and the QCHack event). It also operates a free 9-week introductory High School Quantum Computing (SQHS) course delivered via Zoom.
Product overview
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association (SQCA) is a graduate and undergraduate student organization at Stanford dedicated to quantum computing education and community building. SQCA is not a product company but rather an educational and community organization that offers various programs and resources including workshops, hackathons, reading groups, industry talks, field trips, mentorship programs, and a high school quantum computing course. The organization provides educational services focused on developing future scientists and engineers in quantum computing through three core pillars: PROVIDE (community), PREPARE (education via workshops and discussions), and PRODUCE (research and projects through hackathons and paper reading groups). SQCA does not offer commercial products but facilitates access to various quantum computing platforms and resources including Qiskit, BlueQubit, and TensorNetwork for educational purposes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Quantum Coalition Hackathon (QCHack) Multi-day hackathon where participants form teams to build projects in quantum computing; co-hosted with Yale University and open to global participants.
- High School Quantum Computing Course (SQHS) Free 9-week introductory quantum computing course for high school students (at least 14 years old) covering linear algebra, basic quantum mechanics, qubits, quantum gates, and Qiskit programming; delivered weekly via Zoom.
- Course Pathways Program Structured program offering three specialization tracks — Quantum Algorithms, Quantum Hardware, and Quantum Theory — that guide students through relevant Stanford courses.
Quantifiable outcome
- 800+ members across Stanford undergraduate, graduate, and faculty
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Stanford Quantum Computing Association
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SystemX AlliancecoreCollaboration between Stanford University and industrial firms with multiple focus areas including quantum computing. SystemX hosts talks and seminars related to quantum computing, and partners on events like the Hands-On Workshop with IBM Q researchers.
- Q-FarmcoreQuantum Fundamentals, ARchitecture and Machines initiative building on Stanford and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's strengths in theoretical and experimental quantum science and engineering. Co-hosted Quantum Pathways Night with SQCA.
- GooglecoreGoogle Quantum AI team members including Bill Huggins speak at events; Google X (The Moonshot Factory) hosted TensorNetwork workshop; Jimmy Chen from Google Quantum hardware team gave talks on quantum supremacy.
- IBMcoreIBM Q researchers taught students to program on quantum computers; partnered on CS210 course project; IBM engineers provided office hours for Quantum Computing Bootcamp.
- Yale UniversitycoreJoint Stanford-Yale Faculty Speaker Series including Professor Steve Girvin; co-hosted QCHack Spring 2021 (Yale x Stanford) with 2.1K participants from 80 countries.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Q-CTRL: Quantum control software company with a strong education offering (Black Opal) targeting students and early-career researchers; comparable to SQCA in serving the quantum learning market but as a venture-backed commercial platform.
- Strangeworks: Quantum computing developer platform with a community and education tier; comparable to SQCA in building access to quantum hardware and education for students and developers.
- Classiq: Quantum software platform with a substantial academic and student outreach program; comparable to SQCA's role in preparing students to use quantum platforms through education and workshops.
Broad incumbents
- Xanadu: Full-stack quantum hardware/software company with PennyLane and substantial quantum learning content; overlaps with SQCA's mission to grow the quantum computing talent base through educational resources.
- IBM Quantum: Industry-leading quantum computing platform with the Qiskit textbook, IBM Q faculty/student programs, and a global learning community; directly comparable to SQCA's quantum education mission but at vastly larger scale.
Direct peers
- Quantum Open Source Foundation (QOSF): Nonprofit community organization supporting quantum computing education and open-source projects; comparable to SQCA's mission of building quantum literacy and producing quantum software through hackathons and project work.
- Unitary Fund: Nonprofit supporting the quantum technology community through microgrants, mentorship, and open-source tools; comparable to SQCA in mission to grow and educate the quantum community via grassroots programs.
- Yale Quantum Computing (Yale Quantum): Yale's quantum computing student organization, partnered with SQCA on the Stanford-Yale Speaker Series and co-hosted QCHack Spring 2021; directly comparable as a university-affiliated quantum computing community with overlapping programs and member base.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association social profiles
Digital presenceThe Stanford Quantum Computing Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Stanford Quantum Computing Association
What does The Stanford Quantum Computing Association do?
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association (SQCA) is a graduate and undergraduate student organization at Stanford University dedicated to quantum computing. It delivers free educational programming through three pillars — PROVIDE (community via social events), PREPARE (education via workshops, field trips, professor lunches, guest speakers), and PRODUCE (research and projects via paper reading groups, hackathons, and the QCHack event). It also operates a free 9-week introductory High School Quantum Computing (SQHS) course delivered via Zoom.
Is The Stanford Quantum Computing Association a public or private company?
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Stanford Quantum Computing Association founded?
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Stanford Quantum Computing Association based?
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association is headquartered in Stanford, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Stanford Quantum Computing Association make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership and Event Services.
Who are The Stanford Quantum Computing Association's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Q-CTRL, Strangeworks and Classiq. Broad incumbents are Xanadu and IBM Quantum. Direct peers are Quantum Open Source Foundation (QOSF), Unitary Fund and Yale Quantum Computing (Yale Quantum).
Does The Stanford Quantum Computing Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Stanford Quantum Computing Association.
What industry is The Stanford Quantum Computing Association in?
The Stanford Quantum Computing Association's product category is Quantum Computing Education and Community. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGAMAM, Quantum Education, Workforce Development & Academic Centers, with a secondary code of HDAGALAA, Quantum Education & Certification Programs.