CO.LAB launches CO.LAB Q, a studio for startups that turns quantum promise into commercial proof
Applications are open and are being accepted on a rolling basis. The program begins in November 2026.
Last week, The Company Lab (CO.LAB) announced CO.LAB Q, a 12-month quantum commercialization studio designed to help promising startups and research teams turn advanced technologies into scalable, market-ready companies.
Today, we visited their office to interview five innovators going through their mobility accelerator. We’ll have stories on each founder soon, but it was also the perfect time to chat with CEO Tasia Malakasis about this new quantum commercialization studio.
The program responds to the region’s growing quantum opportunities. However, the bottom line is that the opportunities are plentiful as seen in our quantum roundup while actually commercializing them can be much harder.
“Quantum startups require specialized care because the path from scientific breakthrough to commercial success is unusually complex,” she said. “They need access to advanced infrastructure, technical experts, customers with consequential problems, partners willing to test solutions and investors who understand deep technology. CO.LAB Q brings those critical pieces together so companies can move from promising science to commercial proof — and from commercial proof to scale.”
Access to an ecosystem of partners
CO.LAB sees the prime commercialization opportunity spread across energy, mobility and defense sectors. The program’s founding partners each fit under these sectors, with each offering participants strategic insight.
- Quantinuum: Give startups access to high-performance trapped-ion quantum computers, Nexus cloud platform, Guppy quantum programming language, simulation tools and technical expertise.
- Davidson Technologies: Mentor companies on national security mission needs, customer requirements, acquisition and contracting, cybersecurity, data rights and pilot pathways.
- EPB: Provide access to its quantum network, expanding opportunities to explore emerging applications and advance communications efforts.
- Middle Tennessee Electric: Brings real-world utility expertise and help startups identify and validate quantum applications that can strengthen grid reliability, resilience and efficiency.
- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Connect companies with quantum faculty and students who have applied research expertise, along with specialized facilities.
How the program stands out
There are a lot of startup programs out there, and a lot of buzz around quantum initiatives. But Malakasis said CO.LAB Q is designed for a specific, often-overlooked stage: that tricky middle in the commercialization journey.
Because no company’s commercialization journey is a “one-size-fits-all,” neither is this program. CO.LAB will build a unique curriculum for each company based on its needs, readiness and goals. That may include:
- Validating the highest-value customer problems and use cases.
- Connecting with technical experts, research institutions and specialized quantum infrastructure.
- Designing pilots and proofs of concept with industry or public-sector partners.
- Building investment readiness through market evidence, investor connections and a credible scale strategy.
The goal, Malakasis said, is to help each company advance by producing real commercial evidence. With the recent announce of CO.LAB’s memorandum of understanding with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, that’s another trick up their sleeve to make that even easier.
Learn more and apply here.
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