From Qubits to Portfolios: The Investor's Guide to Quantum Computing

Quantum computing may already be in your portfolio — do you know what you actually own?In this episode of The Institutional Edge, host Angelo Calvello is joined by Dr. Daniel Volz — deep-tech entrepreneur, quantum computing expert, and founder and former CEO of KIPU QUANTUM — and Dr. Elisabetta Basilico, financial professional, institutional allocator, and author of Smarter Investing. Quantum computing is not a faster computer — it is a fundamentally different computing paradigm, and it is now at the threshold of commercial relevance. Elisabetta identifies three problems current portfolio construction tools leave genuinely unsolved. Daniel addresses all three, while also confronting the harder realities: scarce and expensive talent, the emerging risk of quantum washing, and why diversified exposure through hardware companies or a dedicated quantum VC fund is the prudent entry point today.Dr. Elisabetta Basilico is a financial professional with over 20 years of experience working with institutional investors, including pension funds, asset managers, and family offices. Her areas of expertise include asset allocation, risk management, fund due diligence, and performance analysis. She is the author of Smarter Investing: How Academic Insights Propel the Savvy Investor and has written numerous articles on investing and financial education. She earned her PhD from the University of St. Gallen and has held the CFA designation since 2007.  Dr. Daniel Volz is a deep-tech entrepreneur and quantum computing expert with experience spanning strategy consulting, industrial R&D, and venture building. He is the founder and former CEO of KIPU QUANTUM, a quantum software company focused on developing application- and hardware-specific quantum algorithms for real-world industrial problems. Under his leadership, the company worked with leading industry users in quantum, and positioned itself at the forefront of near-term quantum advantage. Prior to founding KIPU, Daniel worked on quantum computing strategy and applications at McKinsey & Company, where he advised global clients across chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, and finance on the commercial potential and realistic timelines of quantum technologies. He later joined BASF SE, contributing to early enterprise-level quantum initiatives and helping bridge emerging quantum capabilities with concrete industrial R&D and optimization use cases. Daniel’s background combines hands-on scientific research with business execution. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Karlsruje Institute of Technology, where his research focused on advanced computational and physical chemistry topics. This foundation enables him to translate complex scientific concepts into practical technology strategies and scalable products. He is an active speaker and contributor on quantum computing, commercialization, and deep-tech entrepreneurship, regularly engaging with investors, corporates, and policymakers. In this report, Daniel contributes perspectives on key quantum use cases, leading players, and major investments, offering a pragmatic, operator-driven view on how value is emerging in the quantum ecosystem today. In This Episode: (00:00) Why quantum matters to institutional investors now (04:39) Daniel defines quantum computing as a fundamentally different paradigm (07:54) QPU hardware landscape: multiple modalities in a VHS vs. Betamax race (11:00) From 1980s academic concept to the threshold of commercial use (14:55) What quantum can uniquely solve, and where it still falls short (21:12) Quantum meets machine learning: convergence, not competition (25:55) Elisabetta identifies three unsolved portfolio construction challenges (35:24) Prudent entry point: hardware portfolio or dedicated quantum VC fund (25:55) Three genuinely unsolved problems: inputs...