- The Company Lab (CO.LAB)

Building What’s Next

CO.LAB Q

From quantum promise to commercial proof

A 12-month, evidence-driven program that helps promising quantum companies become customer-validated, pilot-ready and investable—using Chattanooga as a living commercialization environment.

Quantum companies rarely fail for lack of technical ambition. They stall because they cannot access the infrastructure, customers, validation and capital pathways needed to convert a breakthrough into a business. Traditional accelerator models—fixed curricula, generalized mentorship and a demo day—are rarely enough for technologies with long development cycles, specialized hardware and demanding institutional buyers.

CO.LAB Q is built for that gap. Each company begins with a rigorous assessment, receives an individualized commercialization roadmap and advances by producing evidence—not by completing a calendar. CO.LAB then orchestrates the technical experts, infrastructure, customers, pilot partners and funders needed to reduce the company’s highest-priority risks.

Why Chattanooga?

Chattanooga is building the future rather than waiting for it.

Our region sits at the intersection of energy, mobility, research, and advanced networking, making it one of the most compelling testbeds for quantum innovation in the United States.

Our Quantum Infrastructure:

EPB’s Quantum Center℠: Founding Network Partner

The nation’s first commercial facility offering a photonics-based local quantum network

Quantinuum: Founding Compute Partner

Providing full-stack access that supports a startups move from technical validation to commercially relevant applications.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Linking startup founders with Oak Ridge’s world-class researchers and facilities

Thriving Business Ecosystem

Energy, logistics, cybersecurity, and manufacturing companies alongside a growing startup community

Davidson Technologies: Founding Defense Partner

As Founding Defense Track Sponsor, Davidson Technologies will provide access to its quantum laboratory and lead the studio’s defense track mentoring startups on national-security mission needs, customer requirements, acquisition and contracting, cybersecurity, data rights and pilot pathways.

University of Tennessee Chattanooga Quantum Center

UTC will connect participating companies with quantum faculty and students with applied research expertise and specialized facilities to help translate promising technologies into commercially viable solutions.

Why CO.LAB?

We’ve got CO.LAB Q.

CO.LAB Q. helps founders translate cutting-edge quantum research into scalable, real-world businesses by providing unparralled access to infrastructure, quantum expertise and a city focused on what’s next.

CO.LAB Quantum Startup Accelerator Group

We Support Startups and teams working in:

Quantum computing and algorithms
Quantum networking and communications
Quantum cybersecurity and encryption
Quantum sensing and imaging
Energy, grid, and climate applications
Mobility, logistics, and optimization
Defense focused solutions
Enabling hardware, tooling, and control systems

We especially support founders moving from lab-to-market who need commercialization strategies, validation partners, and pilot opportunities.

What Startups Receive

Expert Mentorship – Technologists, investors, and commercialization advisors
Infrastructure Access – Emerging testbeds, pilot environments, and quantum infrastructure
Strategic Connections – Corporate, research, and national lab partnerships
Funding Support – Investor readiness and fundraising strategy
Visibility – Demo days, storytelling, and ecosystem introductions

Our goal is to help quantum startups move faster, more confidently, and with a clearer path to market, all while anchoring breakthroughs in Chattanooga.

Our Impact

Quantum and deep-tech startups engaged through programming and events
Quantum commercialization partner of Oak Ridge National Lab
Active collaborations with EPB, Quantinuum, TVA, UTC, IonQ, and others
Multiple pilots and proofs-of-concept underway in grid, mobility, sensing, and security

Ready to be part of that impact? Apply for CO.LAB Q.

Apply Now

Ready to join us?