M. Binko, J. Hamann, S. Anjum
ENTEVATE AI+Quantum Innovation (AIQUI) Sandbox®,
United States
Keywords: Applied AI and Quantum Innovations for industry sectors that matter for US economic and security resiliency
Summary:
The ENTEVATE Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Innovation (AIQUI™) Sandbox is a venture spawned from Princeton University Propelus/Ascendus Northeast NSF I-Corps 2025 cohort. Utilizing an Ecosystem Model forged under Startup America, the AIQUI Innovation Sandbox® engages, public-sector leaders, academia, students, vendors and industry stakeholders around a TRL-based AI+QU Use Case roadmapping and activation initiative. Launched initially in the State of CT, Phase 1 of the Sandbox program —"Frame the Vision” for Applied AI+QU Innovation — aims to identify, assess, and validate high-impact innovations/technologies and align them with Use Cases from select industry sectors. Primary Goals (OKRs | Metrics |KPIs) for First Stage (“Frame” the Vision) are to build foundational infrastructure and momentum necessary for long-term success in 3 of the 7 Core Elements of Thriving Ecosystems: Workforce Development Economic Development Venture Development Subsequent Stages 2/3 (“Codify” and “Scale”) over the following 2 years and 5 years, respectively, will amplify Stage 1 success while also incorporating the remaining 4 Core Ecosystem Elements. Placemaking / Real Estate Research / Tech Transfer Social / Community / ESG Policy / Advocacy The AIQUI Innovation Sandbox Team has unique perspective and expertise related to the ambitions and potential for the AI+QU Innovation Roadmapping. Specifically, AIQUI Innovation Sandbox Principals have been serial innovation/tech entrepreneurs in “Grand Challenge” categories of technology including transitioning DARPANet into the Internet/WWW; the development of applications/software innovations to utilize the Internet for commercial and personal use (ASP, SaaS, eCommerce); scaling the Internet and SaaS stack with platform efficiencies (Cloud Computing, IaaS, PaaS, and Hybrid-Federated Hosting); Mobility technologies including cellular, wireless, wearable and interactive UX-UI platforms; CyberSecurity and GRC (Governance/Risk/Compliance) across Government/Public Sector and numerous Private-Sector Industries. AIQUI Innovation Sandbox leadership were coFounders of the national Startup America and Startup Champion Network initiatives to formalize the Core Elements/Basecamps of entrepreneur and venture Ecosystem Building as a professional skillset. All have been CxO executive operators for early-stage, high-growth, publicly-traded as well as Fortune 100/500 level corporate entities. AIQUI Innovation Sandbox Team members have been directly involved pathways for innovation adoption (NSF, I-Corps, ARPA, In-Q-Tel, DoC, DISA, DHS) standards groups/RAs (NIST, NCCoE, NSF I-Corps / Innovation Engines, DIA, National Quantum Initiative) as well as industry associations. All have worked extensively in academic ecosystems for use-inspired core research, peer-reviewed published works, technology transfer, research parks, entrepreneurship, innovation readiness labs (IRLs) and applied innovation Summary: * Private-sector activation is the litmus for Stage 1 . * The AIQUI Sandbox was submitted to the NSF TIP Directorate under their TechLabs RFI as a potential cross-ecosystem anchor facilitator. * As a part of the Princeton University NSF Ascendus I-Corps cohorts, the AIQUI Innovation Sandbox completed 150+ customer discovery engagements with R1/R2 universities, ESO, EDAs, state leadership teams, tech vendors and industry use case stakeholders and identified the first 10 US states that will be engaged for expansion of the Sandbox rollout.