Maryland governor touts new quantum partnership with venture capital firm

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced Thursday that the state's Capital of Quantum initiative is partnering with Paladin Capital Group to further advance quantum computing research.

The Capital of Quantum is a public-private partnership anchored within the Discovery District Maryland research hub, a development just outside the University of Maryland in College Park and intended to provide office, residential, retail and research spaces.

Since the initiative launched in January 2025, it has attracted more than $500 million in committed quantum spending from public and private partners, according to the Capital of Quantum website. 

The initiative is aiming to garner investments totaling $1 billion by 2030. Its ecosystem includes 23 federal agencies and laboratories, 33 quantum companies and 25 universities and research centers, according to the initiative’s website.

“Paladin [Capital Group] will work with University of Maryland quantum researchers and startup community to evaluate potential investments and offer guidance to entrepreneurs,” Moore, a Democrat, said at the Quantum World Congress.

Paladin Capital Group will also receive physical office space in the Discovery District and engage with graduate students. The venture capital firm’s chief investment officer, Christopher Steed, will also join the Capital of Quantum’s advisory board.

Moore touted the opening of a new Microsoft quantum research center, $100 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the groundbreaking of a $65 million Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security headquarters during his remarks at the Quantum World Congress.

“I would like Maryland to be the global capital of quantum,” Moore said.