Britain on brink of tech revolution that could cure Alzheimer’s and boost economy

The next era of computing is arriving and Britain has a real opportunity to shape it. What was once a largely theoretical field is now moving towards practical application, with governments and companies around the world investing heavily to secure an early advantage. Quantum technology has the potential to redefine many fields including medicine, energy, and materials science, placing countries at the forefront of global innovation. With world class academic institutions, growing investment, and an active research community, the UK is well positioned to play a leading role. So, what exactly is quantum computing?

Put simply, it is a new kind of computing designed to tackle problems that are too complex for today’s machines. Classical computers are incredibly powerful, but they have limits, particularly when dealing with systems involving vast numbers of possibilities, such as molecular interactions, weather systems, or advanced materials. Quantum computers approach these challenges differently. Instead of evaluating possibilities one at a time, they are designed to explore many possibilities simultaneously, identifying the most useful outcomes far more efficiently.

This does not mean they will replace today’s computers or solve every problem. In reality, quantum systems will complement classical computing, each handling the tasks they are best suited to. But for specific, highly complex problems, quantum computing could be transformative.

One area where this matters is drug discovery. Take Alzheimer’s disease: despite decades of research and billions in funding, there is still no cure. Developing new medicines is often slow and uncertain, in part because it is so difficult to predict how molecules behave and interact.

Quantum computing could help researchers model these interactions more accurately, allowing them to focus on the most promising pathways earlier. It will not replace laboratory work, but it could make it far more targeted.

Similar opportunities exist in energy and climate-related fields. From improving battery performance to discovering new materials, many breakthroughs depend on solving problems that are currently difficult to model.

Quantum computing may open new pathways, whether in designing more efficient solar panels or identifying materials for cleaner energy systems.

Around the world, investment is accelerating. Governments and businesses are building expertise, funding research, and backing new companies so they are ready as the technology matures.

The UK starts from a position of strength. It has leading universities, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and a long history of scientific innovation. Around 65 quantum startups are already operating across the UK, many clustered in the “Golden Triangle” of Cambridge, Oxford, and London.

There are also early signs of growing government support. Recent funding commitments to AI and quantum technologies are a positive step, particularly at a stage when companies need sustained capital, infrastructure, and policy backing to scale. Public procurement will also play a critical role by providing early customers and validating emerging technologies.

But breakthroughs alone are not enough. The real test is whether the UK can turn scientific leadership into globally competitive companies.

This is where we must be clear-eyed. The UK excels at producing world-class research and early-stage startups, but too often struggles to scale them. As quantum companies move from the lab to commercial deployment, they require long-term, patient growth capital investment that understands both technical risk and longer development timelines.

Without it, the risk is familiar: promising companies look overseas for funding, partnerships, or exits. This pattern has played out in other deep tech sectors, and quantum should not follow the same path.

If the UK wants to lead, it must match its scientific strength with financial ambition.That means strengthening the domestic base of growth investors, encouraging more institutional capital into deep tech, and ensuring companies can scale here rather than abroad.

The opportunity is real, and the foundations are already in place. The question is no longer whether quantum computing will matter, but whether the UK will capture its value. Leadership will not be decided in the lab alone, but in the ability to build, fund and scale the companies that emerge from it.

Zeynep Koruturk is co-founder of Firgun, the first venture capital firm specialising in early stage quantum technology investment