Quantum World Congress 2026: Building the Workforce and Industry Behind the Quantum Economy

Building a quantum economy requires the right ecosystem of changemakers, infrastructure, talent, and partnerships capable of turning breakthroughs into businesses, products and jobs and that work is already taking shape in Fairfax NOVA and across Greater Washington.

Quantum World Congress (QWC) 2026 brought together 3,000 attendees, 1,000 organizations and delegations from over 30 countries to Greater Washington for three days with a laser focus on scaling quantum technology towards real-world applications and commercialization.

Three game-changing announcements at this year’s QWC illustrate how Northern Virginia is building a quantum ecosystem. From introducing quantum technology in Fairfax County Public Schools, redefining the quantum workforce, to building shared research and commercialization infrastructure at George Mason University (GMU), our region is paving the way.

Building the Workforce Before the Jobs Arrive

One of the biggest announcements of QWC 2026 came from Fairfax County Public Schools, Connected DMV and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority: an operational quantum computer from German company XeedQ is coming to Herndon’s Skyview High School.

Beginning in spring 2027, students are expected to work directly with real quantum hardware, understanding quantum concepts through physics and mathematics, testing problems and comparing quantum and classical approaches. The initiative will begin with quantum learning pathways and could eventually expand to include dual enrollment opportunities and industry-recognized credentials. Skyview is also expected to serve as a regional K-12 hub connecting students with universities, researchers, federal laboratories and industry.

For FCEDA President and CEO George D. Thomas, the announcement is fundamentally an economic development strategy.

“Regions that lead in quantum will be the ones that build the talent first,” Thomas said. “The quantum companies growing in Greater Washington today will hire from this generation, and we intend to have them ready.”

That means starting well before university. Fairfax County is putting quantum coursework in front of students, years earlier than most would encounter it, a move that only happens when school leaders recognize an opening and act on it. The region is fortunate to have FCPS leaders who did. 

Click play button above to watch the full session, “World’s First K-12 Quantum Computer Unveiled at Quantum World Congress 2026”, with (from left to right) George D. Thomas, President and CEO of FCEDA and Co-Founder of Connected DMV; Dr. Gopalakrishnan Balasubramanian, Founder and CEO of XeedQ; Stu Solomon, Founder and Vice Chair of Connected DMV; and Dr. Michelle C. Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools.

A Quantum Workforce that Extends Far Beyond Physicists

Quantum’s talent pipeline has to reach well past researchers and physicists. As the technology moves toward commercialization, companies will need engineers, software developers, technicians and system integrators working alongside the scientists. They will also need people in product development, business and finance who understand quantum well enough to spot where it solves practical problems.

Connected DMV, with Northern Virginia Community College and Prince George’s Community College, is launching a NEXTversity program in photonics, optics and advanced manufacturing, fields that matter increasingly to quantum, national security and the wider advanced technology economy. The program connects employers, educators and learners to build a career-ready talent pipeline.

Steven Partridge, Vice President of Strategy, Research, and Workforce Innovation at Northern Virginia Community College, says the critical ingredient is employer participation before the curriculum is built. Start with the skills employers need, then work backward with community colleges to design training for actual jobs.

The workforce challenge is bigger than producing more quantum scientists. A successful quantum cluster needs a much larger pool of “quantum-capable” people across industries, and that takes multiple entry points: K-12, higher education, apprenticeships, professional training and paths for experienced workers to bring skills from adjacent fields.

Northern Virginia already has many of those ingredients. Its technology, cybersecurity, aerospace, defense and federal workforce offers a deep base of engineers, developers and other professionals whose skills can build quantum in the region.

Click the play button above to watch the full session, “Quantum for Everyone” with Tom Touchet, Interim President and CEO of ConnectedDMV, and Steven Partridge, Vice President of Strategy, Research, and Workforce Innovation at Northern Virginia Community College.

Building the Infrastructure Alongside the Talent

George Mason University’s quantum expansion adds another crucial piece to Fairfax’s frontier technology talent pipeline.

At QWC, College of Science Dean Cody Edwards outlined a strategy based on building capacity before the future of the technology is completely certain. Rather than waiting to determine which quantum technology ultimately succeeds, Edwards argued that regions should invest now in the people, partnerships and infrastructure needed to respond as the industry evolves.

“What we’re hoping to establish is a convening platform,” Edwards said. “Its purpose is to connect infrastructure with talent development, applied research, industry engagement, and mission-driven innovation.”

That philosophy is taking physical form here. George Mason has partnered with UK-based TreQ to bring Virginia’s first open-architecture quantum computing system to its Fairfax Campus.

George Mason also recently announced plans for the Virginia Quantum Hub, a public-private initiative supported by a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant, pending final award. The hub is designed to connect shared infrastructure, workforce development, research and collaborative technology innovation, bringing together partners from academia, government and industry. 

For companies, those investments will help close the distance between research and commercialization. Shared infrastructure gives researchers, students and businesses opportunities to experiment with quantum systems, develop applications and build skills without every organization having to create those capabilities independently.

Click the play button above to watch the full session, “From Campus to Commerce: George Mason Launches the Virginia Quantum Hub”, by George Mason University College of Science Dean Cody W. Edwards.

From Quantum Ecosystem to Quantum Economy

These three conversations at QWC tell a larger story about where Fairfax County’s quantum strategy is heading.

From the classroom to the quantum lab, quantum is redefining the future. Northern Virginia’s strong technology economy, cybersecurity professionals, government contractors and other workers represent a much broader talent base that can help companies translate quantum science into commercial and mission applications.The common thread is building before the market fully demands it.

That philosophy defines George D. Thomas’ work in the region. He began this work with Connected DMV, where he helped develop the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center and Quantum World Congress as platforms connecting government, academia, industry, investors and international partners. Now at FCEDA, that ecosystem-building experience is being applied directly to Fairfax County’s economic development strategy.

QWC was built around the idea that quantum would not develop through any single company, university or government agency, but through an ecosystem capable of connecting those institutions. The technology is still evolving, but the workforce, infrastructure and partnerships that will determine where the quantum economy takes off are being built now.

Explore More QWC 2026 Sessions

Warren Thompson of Thompson Hospitality Named 2026 WBJ CEO of the Year

Warren Thompson, president and chairman of Reston-based Thompson Hospitality, has been named the Washington Business Journal’s 2026 CEO of the Year, putting a Fairfax County business leader in the regional spotlight. Thompson was also recently Forbes, which explored how he built a national hospitality business serving corporate America and college campuses, with an estimated company value of $750 million.

Collaboration has been central to that growth. Thompson Hospitality’s longstanding partnership with Compass Group has expanded opportunities for diverse suppliers and connected them to a broader network of clients. His success demonstrates how businesses rooted in Fairfax County and Greater Washington can grow through strategic partnerships while creating opportunities for others across the region and beyond.

Read More on Forbes.

Breaking News

• The Quantum Race Is Heating Up in the DC Metro Region – ClearanceJobs
• 2026 Virginia Women in Leadership Awards – Virginia Business
• John Marshall Bancorp to acquire Bank of Clarke for $253M – Washington Business Journal
• Fairfax County supervisors honor outgoing leaders in economic development, human services arenas – FFXNow
• How Kim Roy built Hitt Contracting into $8.66B construction giant – Washington Business Journal
• Thomas Jefferson High School Student Runs AI Startup with 1,000 Users – Forbes
• Gov. Spanberger orders ‘framework’ for regulating data centers, establishes AI task force – FFXNow
• Inova acquires medical office buildings, adding to Merrifield footprint -FFXNow
• Fairfax County aims to become ‘a player’ in regional economic development dealmaking – FFXNow
• Fairfax County board OKs $900,000 to plan for future Chantilly arts center – FFXNow

Upcoming Events

• October 8, 2026 – NVCC and FCEDA Advanced Manufacturing and Skilled Trades Fair – Register Now!
• October 15, 2026 – Fairfax County GEOSPATIAL Technology Innovation Forum – Register Now!
• October 19,2026 – Green Fairfax Environmental Summit – Register Now!
• October 21, 2026 – GMU Government Contracting Industry Connect – Register Now!
• October 28, 2026 – GMU Women Shaping Business Connect – Register Now!
• November 4-5, 2026 – Accelerate Investor Conference – Register Now! 
• November 10, 2026 – E101 Special Edition: Celebrating Our Military Spouses & Veteran Community – Register Now!