In December 2024, Breakthrough Victoria completed a $10 million follow-on investment in the world’s leading quantum diamond technology company, Quantum Brilliance (QB), to build the world’s first commercial Quantum Diamond Foundry. Today, that foundry opened in Melbourne.
What
The new facility, officially opened by Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson at Co-Labs in Notting Hill, will enable Quantum Brilliance to manufacture lab-grown diamonds that can be embedded into integrated circuits to produce quantum devices. This technology is compact, portable, and operates at room temperature.
Why it matters
Quantum technologies deliver unprecedented computing and sensing capabilities, unlocking breakthroughs in drug discovery, medical treatments, and advanced testing. Establishing sovereign manufacturing capability for diamond quantum devices strengthens Victoria’s position as a global leader in deep technologies and creates highly skilled local jobs. CSIRO modelling predicts Australia’s quantum industry could be worth $6 billion and employ 19,400 workers by 2045.
Breakthrough Victoria’s role
Breakthrough Victoria has supported QB with a $10 million investment, alongside the Victorian Government’s Made in Victoria – Industry R&D Infrastructure Fund. This builds on Breakthrough Victoria’s earlier strategic investment in Quantum Brilliance in 2022, which helped accelerate development of its pioneering portable quantum computing systems powered by lab-grown diamonds. Breakthrough Victoria’s total investment in QB is $18 million.
The Future
The Foundry will establish sovereign manufacturing capabilities to produce ethically sourced diamonds for quantum devices, strengthen local expertise, and expand Victoria’s burgeoning quantum industry. This investment reinforces Victoria’s position as a hub for cutting-edge technology and manufacturing excellence.
“Opening the world’s first commercial quantum diamond foundry in Melbourne is a landmark achievement for Victoria. Our investment in Quantum Brilliance - first in 2022 and now through this facility - demonstrates our commitment to building sovereign capability, creating highly skilled jobs, and positioning Victoria as a global leader in quantum technology.”
Rod Bristow, Breakthrough Victoria CEO