So what's behind the talk about Shanghai becoming a hub for neutral atom quantum computing?

The AI-assisted record in assembling 2024 atoms was widely reported and I wrote myself about two new, serious neutral atoms start-ups in a recent blog post; but I only now stumbled across this beautiful article.

So basically the story is as follows: In June 2024 the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission established a quantum computing project management team and decided, hey, neutral atom quantum computing is a rising star and we have some cold atoms research in Shanghai → how about sponsoring three teams to "horse race" for neutral atoms quantum computing (赛马制)?

Team 1: Fudan University, Li Xiaopeng

Team 2: Shanghai Quantum Science Research Center aka (?) USTC/National Lab, Lu Chaoyang

Team 3: ?? (possibly not public)

Young teams, a DARPA-style project manager was assigned, local "hidden champions" identified to build custom tech. 18 months, with milestones all 3 months to assess and cut teams that fail.

The whole thing seems hugely successful to me. Team 1 -> prototype of over 1000 atoms -> Buchou Quantum (不筹量子) with RMB tens of millions in angel funding.

Team 2 -> big news about breaking world record in assembling 2024 atoms -> MatriQ (原子矩阵) [I think] with undisclosed seed round.

Team 3 -> ??

The article: sh.people.com.cn/BIG5/n…

Archived link: archive.ph/fZFrD

My post on Buchou, MatriQ: chinaquantum.info/p/chi…

2024 atoms record: thequantuminsider.com/2…