Insider Brief
- PsiQuantum announced a $250,000 philanthropic investment to support STEM education, workforce development, and quantum learning programs in South Chicago.
- The investment will support local schools, higher education institutions, and community organizations through curriculum expansion, educator training, and student programs.
- The initiative is part of PsiQuantum’s broader efforts around the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park and developing a local quantum workforce pipeline.
Press release – Today, PsiQuantum announced a $250,000 philanthropic investment in local schools, higher education institutions, and STEM programs to advance the next generation of scientists, engineers, and quantum innovators in South Chicago. As the anchor tenant of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), PsiQuantum is committed to ensuring young people in the communities surrounding the campus have access to educational opportunities and career pathways into the growing quantum workforce.
This philanthropic support includes:
- Support for local high schools , including George Washington High School and St. Francis De Sales High School, to expand STEM curriculum, classroom technology, and educator training
- Investments in higher education programs , including Olive-Harvey College and Chicago State University’s Quantum Education, Science, and Technology Center (CQuEST); STEM Explorations Camp; and Quantum Teacher Training programs
- Grants to community organizations , including Project SYNCERE and Phalanx Family Services, to expand STEM learning opportunities for local students.
Today’s announcement builds on PsiQuantum ’s continued investments across South Chicago, including a $10,000 donation to Bowen High School that enabled the purchase of virtual reality equipment, robotics, cameras, rockets, drones, and circuits to support hands-on learning in the classroom. PsiQuantum has also supported Chicago State University’s summer STEM programming.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my own life to have access to computers, workshops, software, tools, and encouragement to get involved in science and technology, and learn for myself what’s possible,” Pete Shadbolt, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at PsiQuantum , plans to say at a Chicago State University event today . “This investment reflects our conviction that the communities surrounding the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park should have every opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, the quantum ecosystem that is taking shape here in Chicago.”
“For far too long, communities like ours have watched innovation happen somewhere else. IQMP and PsiQuantum are helping change that narrative by investing in talent, education, and opportunity right here in Southeast Chicago,” said Dr. Roni Facen, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of St. Francis De Sales High School . “This partnership isn’t just advancing quantum technology—it’s proving that the future can and should include every community.”
“At City Colleges of Chicago, we believe the future workforce should not simply witness innovation, but should help create it. We are grateful to PsiQuantum for investing in our students and in the economic future of Chicago,” said Juan Salgado, Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago . “This program at Olive-Harvey College will prepare learners for careers where supply chains, data analytics, and quantum technologies converge. As Illinois accelerates its leadership through the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, we are committed to ensuring that our students are among the talent driving that growth and shaping the industries of tomorrow.”
“ PsiQuantum ’s investment in Chicago State University is an investment in the future of quantum innovation—and in the talented students who will help shape it,” said Z Scott, President of Chicago State University . “This partnership strengthens our ability to expand access to quantum education through Chicago State’s Quantum Education, Science & Technology Center (CQuEST), supporting students, educators, and our broader community. Together, we are creating pathways that prepare students from every background to lead in one of the world’s most transformative industries.”
These investments follow nearly one year of construction progress since the groundbreaking at PsiQuantum ‘s facility at the IQMP in September 2025. As PsiQuantum continues to build America’s largest quantum computing project, today’s announcement demonstrates how the company is investing not only in technology with the potential to unlock transformative new capabilities across industries, but also in a local talent pipeline that will help power the quantum future in South Chicago.