OQI – Open Quantum Institute

What OQI – Open Quantum Institute does

The Open Quantum Institute (OQI) is a multilateral governance initiative established in 2023 that provides global, equitable, and inclusive access to quantum computing. Headquartered at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, OQI was born at GESDA (Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator), is hosted by CERN, and is supported financially by UBS. The organization operates as a science diplomacy instrument, offering a neutral platform for international collaboration between research, diplomacy, private sector, and philanthropy stakeholders. Its mission is structured around four objectives — the "4As": Awareness, Access, Advancement, and Abundance.

OQI delivers a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a single commercial product. These include the Quantum Applications Framework (a structured pathway for developing quantum use cases), an Educational Consortium for collaborative learning, Hackathons and a "Hackathon in a Box" toolkit for hands-on events, the Quantum Diplomacy Game as a simulation tool for diplomatic training, and a suite of Educational Tools. Outputs are disseminated as open-access Intelligence Reports, Progress Reports, and Use Case White Papers via DOI links. A tiered community platform (Hivebrite) connects Partners, Members, and Friends across geographies. The organization is also a Participating Partner of the UNESCO-declared International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ).

Because OQI is structured as a non-profit multilateral initiative rather than a commercial provider, it has no disclosed pricing, revenue model, or equity ownership. It is institutionally hosted by CERN — an intergovernmental research organization — with operational funding flowing primarily from philanthropic sponsorship (UBS) and institutional support. The governance model recognizes Partners (institutions engaged for at least one year), Members (institutions recognized for scientific or impact contributions), and Friends (individuals committed to open science). OQI's customer-facing segments — research institutions, diplomatic and policy stakeholders, private sector actors, and educational institutions — are participants in a multilateral initiative rather than commercial buyers.

Name

OQI – Open Quantum Institute

Legal name

Open Quantum Institute

Website

https://open-quantum-institute.web.cern.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Open Quantum Institute (OQI) is a multilateral governance initiative, hosted by CERN and supported by UBS, that provides global, equitable access to quantum computing through science diplomacy, educational programs, and a global community platform for research, policy, private-sector, and educational stakeholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quantum Computing Governance

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), International Affairs (928120), International Affairs (92812)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum Education, Workforce Development & Academic Centers (HDAGAMAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quantum Tech Commercialization, IP, Tech Transfer & Venture Research (HDAGAMAN), Managed Quantum Services & Enterprise Support (HDAGAIAI), Digital Policy, Data Governance & Cybersecurity Standards Cooperation (BPADANAH), Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

Keywords

• Quantum computing access
• Science diplomacy initiatives
• Multilateral technology governance
• Quantum education programs
• International research collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

OQI is a multilateral governance initiative that provides global, equitable and inclusive access to quantum computing. It functions as a science diplomacy instrument, offering a neutral space for international collaboration between research, diplomacy, private sector and philanthropy stakeholders, structured around the '4As' mission framework (Awareness, Access, Advancement, Abundance). It delivers programs such as the Quantum Applications Framework, an Educational Consortium, hackathons, the Quantum Diplomacy Game, and educational tools.

Product overview

OQI is a multilateral governance initiative that provides global, equitable and inclusive access to quantum computing. Rather than a single commercial product, OQI operates as an initiative hosted by CERN that offers multiple interconnected programs and frameworks: the Quantum Applications Framework for developing quantum applications, an Educational Consortium for collaborative learning, Hackathons and Hackathon in a Box for hands-on innovation events, the Quantum Diplomacy Game for interactive diplomacy training, and various Educational Tools supporting quantum computing education. These offerings work together to advance OQI's mission of fostering quantum computing development for the benefit of humanity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Quantum Applications Framework A framework providing structured pathways for developing and deploying quantum computing applications for various use cases. Designed for research institutions, private sector organizations, and diplomats working on quantum computing applications.
• Educational Consortium A collaborative network of educational institutions working together to advance quantum computing education and training. Targeted at universities, students, and educators participating in quantum education initiatives.
• Hackathons Competitive events that bring together participants to collaborate on quantum computing challenges and projects. Targeted at researchers, students, and industry participants engaging with quantum computing innovation.
• Quantum Diplomacy Game An educational simulation tool designed to teach quantum diplomacy concepts through interactive gameplay scenarios. Targeted at diplomats, policy stakeholders, and educators in the quantum governance field.
• Hackathon in a Box A packaged set of resources and materials that enables organizers to conduct their own quantum computing hackathons. Targeted at educational institutions and community organizers.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• CERNflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCERN hosts the Open Quantum Institute as a core institutional partner, providing organizational infrastructure, scientific credibility, and access to its global research network. CERN is the foundational hosting institution for OQI's multilateral governance operations.
• GESDA (Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGESDA is credited as the birthplace of OQI, having initiated the concept of the Open Quantum Institute. GESDA serves as a founding partner providing ongoing diplomatic and anticipatory science expertise.
• IYQ (International Year of Quantum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOQI is a Participating Partner of the International Year of Quantum (IYQ), a UNESCO-declared global initiative celebrating quantum science and technology. This partnership aligns OQI with worldwide quantum awareness efforts.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Q-CTRL: Q-CTRL builds quantum control infrastructure and education software for quantum computing, including workforce development tools. Comparable to OQI because both invest in quantum education and capability development, though Q-CTRL is a commercial vendor while OQI is a non-profit governance body.

Broad incumbents

• Google Quantum AI: Google Quantum AI runs a research and engineering program that publishes open frameworks and provides access pathways to its quantum hardware. Comparable to OQI because both advance open research access and develop quantum applications, though Google is a commercial R&D effort rather than a multilateral governance initiative.
• IBM Quantum: IBM operates the IBM Quantum Network, providing managed access to quantum hardware for research institutions and enterprises globally. It is comparable to OQI because both provide structured access pathways to quantum computing for the scientific and diplomatic community, though IBM is a commercial incumbent rather than a multilateral governance body.

Others

• UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research): UNITAR provides training and capacity-building programs for governments and stakeholders, including in emerging technology areas. Comparable to OQI because both deliver international capacity-building and education programs targeting governmental and scientific audiences, though UNITAR is a broader UN-affiliated training body rather than quantum-specific.
• UNESCO International Year of Quantum (IYQ): IYQ is the UNESCO-declared global initiative celebrating quantum science and technology of which OQI is a Participating Partner. Comparable to OQI because both work to raise global awareness of quantum technologies and convene the international quantum community, though IYQ is a time-bound awareness campaign rather than an operational governance body.
• World Economic Forum (WEF) Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: WEF convenes global stakeholders on emerging technology governance including quantum through policy frameworks and multistakeholder initiatives. Comparable to OQI because both provide neutral international platforms for emerging technology governance and policy coordination, though WEF is a broader multilateral forum rather than a quantum-specific initiative.
• GESDA (Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator): GESDA is the founding partner of OQI and an established Geneva-based science diplomacy anticipator that convenes stakeholders across science, policy, and industry. Comparable to OQI because both operate at the intersection of emerging technology governance and multilateral diplomacy, though GESDA is broader in scope and not quantum-specific.

Direct peers

• Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C): QED-C is a consortium managed by SRI International that brings together industry, academic, and government stakeholders to grow the quantum ecosystem and develop standards. It is comparable to OQI because both serve as multi-stakeholder coordination bodies focused on advancing the quantum ecosystem, though QED-C is U.S.-anchored and industry-led.

Regional players

• Quantum Flagship: Quantum Flagship is a European Commission-funded research initiative coordinating quantum technology R&D across Europe. Comparable to OQI because both coordinate multi-stakeholder quantum research and capability development, though Quantum Flagship is publicly funded and region-specific.
• European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC): QuIC is a European industry association that brings together quantum technology stakeholders to build a strong European quantum ecosystem. Comparable to OQI because both are multi-stakeholder coordination bodies in quantum, though QuIC is regionally focused on Europe and industry-led rather than a science diplomacy initiative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about OQI – Open Quantum Institute