Ep 1: Fusion, FLiBe, and a $12.6 Billion Quantum Funding Flip

About this episode

Today's episode covers a wave of quantum funding news — Qolab's $54.2M Series B, McKinsey's data showing private capital swamping government funding, and Keyfactor's billion-dollar post-quantum security raise — before diving into the main story: IBM, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Cleveland Clinic using quantum-centric supercomputing to model fusion fuel chemistry in FLiBe, a candidate breeding-blanket material for tritium production. Linked sources: Oak Ridge, Cleveland Clinic, and IBM Demonstrate Quantum Simulations for Fusion Materials — The Quantum Insider Qolab Announces $54.2 Million Series B Financing Led by UC Investments — The Quantum Insider McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor 2026 — McKinsey Keyfactor Announces $1B+ Strategic Growth Investment — The Quantum Insider IBM Seeks Financial Incentives from Dutchess IDA to Build $2.5 Billion Quantum Computers in Poughkeepsie — Mid Hudson News