The New Mexico Economic Development Department, through its Office of Strategy, Science & Technology, has awarded $100,000 in competitive non-dilutive grant funding to Mesa Quantum Systems, Inc. in the inaugural round of the Quantum Technologies Award Pilot Program.
Launched in December 2024, the program is a competitive, state-funded grant awarding non-dilutive funds to early-stage companies working in quantum technologies located in New Mexico or establishing a presence with employees in New Mexico. Non-dilutive funding allows recipients to retain all equity in their company, which is particularly important for startups.
Companies establishing a presence in New Mexico must remain in the state for at least two years after being granted the award. The program aims to foster the development and expansion of a new industry within the state, offering incentives for quantum technology-focused businesses to take root and grow.
“New Mexico is leading the way by stepping boldly into the future,” EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black said. “By encouraging this new industry, we’re investing in a modern economy that will thrive for generations.”
“This grant will help us take a critical step toward strengthening domestic supply chains by establishing VCSEL development and production capabilities in New Mexico,” Mesa Quantum CEO Sristy Agrawal said. “As we scale the next generation of chip-scale quantum sensors, having partners like Sandia and Los Alamos, both global leaders in photonics and quantum research, makes New Mexico the ideal home for our expansion.”
Mesa Quantum, a Colorado-based company, will use the state funds to establish a presence in New Mexico, hiring and further developing Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology in collaboration with the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT) at Sandia National Labs. Mesa Quantum is also developing the next generation of chip-scale quantum devices for advanced Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) applications.
The company’s mission is to make quantum technology accessible, reliable, and scalable by building manufacturable devices that work beyond the lab. Their first product is a miniaturized atomic clock, engineered for high performance in GPS-denied and harsh environments, which will support autonomous systems, defense, and critical infrastructure.
The launch of this inaugural award underscores Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s commitment to support New Mexico’s economic growth in science and technology and further New Mexico’s place as a leader in quantum technologies.
In 2024, the State of New Mexico partnered with Colorado and Wyoming as part of the Elevate Quantum consortium, including Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, the University of New Mexico, and Central New Mexico Community College, to win designation as the first and only designated Quantum Tech Hub in the federal Economic Development Administration Tech Hubs program.
The state also supports the New Mexico Quantum Moonshot, a proposal to the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program focused on advancing dual-use quantum technologies that address national security and civilian needs in clean energy, materials science, and communications.
Contact:
Chris Chaffin
Chris.Chaffin@edd.nm.gov
(505) 490-7962
