Bloomberg has announced its “Bloomberg Business Innovators” list, naming Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQCL) as one of the breakthrough businesses that is has identified in its inaugural 2016 group of innovators that will change the way we live and work.

An expert judging panel convened by Bloomberg, comprising leaders of finance, technology, social enterprise and fast growth sectors, selected CQCL for inclusion as one of the top 50 companies.

Founded in Cambridge by a group of mathematicians, CQCL is widely recognized as one of the leading independent quantum computing companies in the world, with a focus on developing operating systems, quantum algorithms and quantum protocols that can be applied to a variety of fields, from financial services to medicine, cryptography and big data.

During 2015 CQCL developed an early version of a Quantum Operating System called ti|ket>, a proprietary operating system and simulator that has been created in order to ensure that the earliest versions of a quantum processor can be utilised alongside existing classical computers.

Governments, multinational companies and large organisations are actively developing Quantum Computing in the belief that it represents the future of computing, capable of sating the world's ever-growing technological needs. The CIA, Google and NASA have all set up labs to explore the nascent technology, and during 2015 the UK government outlined a £270m strategy into quantum technology growth through the UK National Quantum Technology Programme that has a focus on infrastructure.

Ilyas Khan, CEO of CQCL, said: “We are honoured and frankly thrilled to be recognised by our peers and Bloomberg for our work to bring quantum computing closer to reality. The pace of change in the development of Quantum Computing reached a tipping point in 2015.

“From being a technology frequently described as a decade away, we now face the realistic prospect that governments and large corporates will be using some sort of quantum computing resource within the next 24 months. From being a distant almost fictive technology, the world is now on the brink of enormous and foundational technological change.”

Nate Lanxon, Head of European Tech Editorial, Bloomberg said: “The UK is a global powerhouse of innovation and growth. With such a wealth of talent and drive, we wanted to curate a network among the business leaders who epitomise the vibrancy and diversity of the UK business scene.

“We hope the Bloomberg Business Innovators reflect the companies and ideas that are changing how people live and work. Each of these businesses are, in their unique way, transforming industries, our lifestyle, our ways of thinking, the environment and the future for the better. We look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in 2016.”