Northeastern Students Develop Analytics Tool for Quantum Fund

LONDON — In a significant move towards harnessing the potential of quantum computing, Northeastern University has partnered with its business students to create an advanced analytics tool for EdenBase, a $100 million quantum computing investment fund. This collaboration, which culminated in a comprehensive research project, showcases the university's commitment to integrating academic rigor with real-world business applications. EdenBase, based at Northeastern's London startup hub, focuses on early- and growth-stage startups that leverage quantum technologies. The fund's co-founder, Eric van der Kleij, noted the critical role this analytics tool will play in identifying viable investment opportunities within the burgeoning quantum sector. "As more logical, error-corrected qubits become accessible, we believe the quantum advantage is imminent," van der Kleij stated. The student team, comprised of eight MBA candidates from Northeastern's Boston campus, traveled to London for initial briefings before returning to compile their findings into a usable format for EdenBase. Their work aimed to validate the fund's thesis that quantum startups are ripe for investment, as well as to explore emerging clusters in the quantum technology landscape. According to van der Kleij, the students exceeded expectations by not only providing foundational research but also developing an analytics tool capable of filtering deal flow by region and company size. Meredith Schwarzkopf, one of the contributing students, expressed her enthusiasm about the project, stating, "It felt rewarding to accomplish something meaningful, and I am eager to see if any companies are selected for investment based on our research." The project, part of Northeastern's Global Field Study course led by Professor Ravi Sarathy, emphasizes experiential learning, with students gaining valuable insight into the intersection of technology and investment strategies. Michael Gleaslen, another student involved in the project, highlighted the cultural learning experience that accompanied their research, noting the differences in business practices between the U.S. and the U.K. EdenBase plans to officially launch its investment fund later this year, with the analytics tool expected to enhance decision-making processes. The firm has also announced that its fund will be based in QBase, a new initiative within Northeastern's startup hub, designed to foster collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors within the quantum computing space. Furthermore, Northeastern's Associate Professor of Computer Science Tobias Hartung, a quantum researcher, will act as a volunteer adviser to the fund, providing essential insights into the viability of proposed investments. As the quantum landscape evolves, this partnership between academia and industry may not only accelerate the growth of the quantum sector but also empower the next generation of business leaders to navigate its complexities effectively.