We are thrilled to share Quantum-South’s inspiring journey in the highly acclaimed Starburst SCALE Accelerator Program. Being selected for this prestigious program marks a significant milestone in our quest to revolutionize the cargo industry with quantum computing solutions.
SCALE, an initiative by Starburst in partnership with UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, is an aerospace accelerator designed for pre-seed and seed-stage companies. This 13-week program is a melting pot of lectures, workshops, pitch practice sessions, networking opportunities, and culminates in a Demo Day. SCALE aims to propel the advancement of novel technologies with aerospace applications in Southern California, a region renowned for its deep-rooted aerospace heritage and robust engineering talent pool.
The focus areas include Space, Aviation, Defense, and Enabling Technologies (e.g. Cybersecurity, Connectivity/Sensors, Antennas/IoT, Big Data, AI, Robotics, Industry 4.0, Quantum Computing). SCALE is backed by federal funding from the the U.S. Department of Commerce and made possible with support from Congress, The State of California, The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), Cities of Los Angeles and El Segundo, Jet Propulsion Lab, NASA, MITRE, RAND, and more.
Quantum-South was selected to be part of Cohort #5, starting on May 1, 2023. This selection underscored our potential to disrupt the aerospace industry with our unique quantum computing approach to cargo optimization.
Throughout the program, our co-founders, Martin Machin and Dr. Rafael Sotelo, along with Juan Diego Orihuela and Laura Gatti, immersed themselves in an array of activities. From engaging lectures to practical workshops, our team leveraged every opportunity to refine our business model and technological approach. The program’s climax, the Demo Day hosted at UCLA, was a platform where we showcased our progress and vision to a distinguished audience, including investors, mentors, and industry leaders.
The success of the SCALE program is a reflection of the dedication and expertise of its key stakeholders. Elizabeth Reynolds, the Managing Director at Starburst.Aero in the USA, played a crucial role with her leadership and vision. She steered the program towards creating a nurturing environment that greatly benefited startups like Quantum-South. Brija Johnson, the Deputy Director of SCALE at Starburst Aerospace, was instrumental in shaping the program’s structure. Her efforts ensured that participants had access to invaluable resources and mentorship, contributing significantly to our experience. Caitlyn Yang, serving as the Assistant Director at Starburst Aerospace, skillfully managed the program’s logistics and facilitated effective coordination between teams and mentors, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for everyone involved.
Among the eight startups in Cohort #5, Quantum-South stood out with its innovative use of hybrid quantum technologies in optimizing air, land, and maritime cargo. This not only demonstrated our technological expertise but also our commitment to enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in the cargo industry.
During the pitch session on July 25th 2023, Martin Machin explained how Quantum South leverages hybrid quantum technologies to optimize air and maritime cargo, improving revenues, reducing costs, and promoting maximum efficiency. Quantum South is well suited to solve problems across air, sea, and land, including loading Unit Load Devices (ULDs) in air freighters and maritime vessels, load management and airplane fuel optimization for climb paths, and more.
The Quantum-South solution is powered by quantum annealers like D-Wave Systems and solvers like Gurobi to optimize ULD load in aircraft and bin packing within a single ULD, maximizing business targets such as revenue and priority while respecting operational restrictions including weight, balance, volume, special handlings codes and more.
Participation in the SCALE program was more than just an achievement; it was a transformative experience. It enabled us to set clear milestones, advance our Technology Readiness Level, and build meaningful relationships with potential partners and customers. The access to Starburst’s extensive global network and the exposure to an ecosystem of like-minded entrepreneurs and experts have been invaluable.
Quantum-South’s journey through the SCALE program is just another milestone. With the insights and connections gained, we are more equipped than ever to propel our mission forward and make a substantial impact in the aerospace sector.
Being a part of the Starburst SCALE Accelerator Program was a testament to Quantum-South’s innovative spirit and potential. We are grateful to Starburst and UCLA for this opportunity and are excited about the future as we continue to pioneer in the field of quantum computing for cargo optimization.
and Martin Machin Cladera, Quantum-South’s Co-Founder
Stay tuned for more updates on our journey and the revolutionary strides we are making at Quantum-South!