The Phasecraft Strategy: Converting Academic Excellence into Commercial Value

Most attempts to commercialize academic research fail because they can’t bridge the gap between theoretical breakthroughs and market needs. In a recent episode of Category Visionaries, Phasecraft co-founder Ashley Montanaro revealed how they’re turning quantum computing research into commercial reality.

From Software to Quantum Computing

Before founding Phasecraft, Ashley’s journey illustrates the value of diverse experience. “I used to be writing software for smartphones before they were called smartphones, actually. So it’s back in the distant past,” he recalls. This practical software background, combined with academic expertise, provided a unique perspective on commercialization.

Recognizing Commercial Potential

The decision to transition from academia came at a crucial moment when “quantum computing was getting to this really exciting stage when it was really leaving academia and becoming actually a sort of really interesting commercial and industrial sort of pursuit,” Ashley explains. This recognition of market readiness drove their commercialization strategy.

Leveraging Academic Skills in Business

Many assume academic skills don’t translate to startup environments. However, Ashley notes that “as an academic you do things like leading a team, you obviously communicate the work you’ve done to others, you promote your own research, you have a lot of responsibilities in terms of supporting other people’s careers.” These skills proved valuable in building and leading a commercial organization.

Building Technical Credibility

In emerging technology fields, maintaining credibility is crucial. Ashley emphasizes that “it’s critically important that you don’t over promise and only say things which you believe you actually can deliver.” This academic approach to validation helps build trust with commercial partners.

Creating Real-World Impact

Rather than pursuing purely theoretical advances, Phasecraft focuses on practical applications. “If you want to model or simulate a battery or a solar cell accurately, you really need to understand the quantum mechanics within that battery or solar cell,” Ashley explains. This focus on solving concrete industry problems guides their development efforts.

Strategic R&D Partnerships

Their collaboration with Johnson Matthey demonstrates how academic expertise can drive commercial partnerships. By focusing on “very intense R&D partnership” where they’re “actually working directly with the scientists and the engineers,” they ensure their research translates into practical solutions.

Managing Development Timelines

Academic research typically operates on different timelines than commercial development. Phasecraft bridges this gap by focusing on near-term applications while maintaining long-term research goals. “We as a company really think we’ll be able to do exciting things with quantum computers on a shorter timescale than perhaps others do,” Ashley notes.

Building Teams Across Domains

With only “numbers in the hundreds, let’s say, have been like worldwide who have the right expertise” in quantum computing, Phasecraft had to be creative in building their team. They started by “working with some PhD students at Bristol and at UCL in London and also managed to convince the fantastic postdocs to join us full time,” effectively bridging academic and commercial talent pools.

Looking Ahead

Their vision for the next “three to five years time” includes achieving quantum advantage and “using quantum computers to have solved genuinely important problems from elsewhere in science and engineering.” This timeline reflects their ability to balance academic rigor with commercial urgency.

The Academic Commercialization Playbook

For founders working to commercialize academic research:

1. Recognize when research is ready for commercialization
2. Leverage academic skills that transfer to business leadership
3. Maintain scientific credibility while pursuing commercial goals
4. Focus on solving concrete industry problems
5. Build partnerships that bridge research and application

Phasecraft’s approach demonstrates how academic expertise can be successfully translated into commercial value, providing a blueprint for founders working to bridge the gap between breakthrough research and market needs.