Quantum technology leader Q-CTRL has claimed the Defence & Dual-Use Technology Award at the InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence, earning one of the night’s biggest ovations at the black-tie gala.
The Sydney-founded company emerged victorious in a powerhouse category featuring Deteqt, Fleet Space Technologies and Space Machines Company – all leaders in Australia’s fast-accelerating defence and space ecosystem.
Q-CTRL’s win recognises its revolutionary quantum-assured navigation system, Ironstone Opal, which delivers resilient and GPS-free positioning in environments where traditional navigation is compromised by jamming or spoofing.
Ironstone Opal uses advanced software-ruggedised quantum sensing and magnetic navigation to deliver performance that outstrips conventional strategic-grade GPS backups by 94 times. The technology is based on geophysical map matching and integrates in-house quantum sensors in a novel architecture.
With GPS disruption now a rapidly escalating global threat, the judges praised Q-CTRL for developing a sovereign quantum navigation solution with transformative potential for both civilian and military applications.
Founded by Michael Biercuk in 2017, Q-CTRL is helping cement Australia’s status as a global quantum powerhouse, fueled by its record US$166 million Series B raise last year and a major contract with the US Department of Defence’s Innovation Unit.
The 2025 InnovationAus Awards for Excellence are proudly supported by ACS, PEXA Group, the CSIRO ON Program, Griffith Hack, TechnologyOne, Q-CTRL, National AI Centre, University of New South Wales, KPMG, AgriFutures Australia, Investment NSW and IP Australia.
Protecting your great ideas with intellectual property (IP) rights can lead to lasting benefits for your growing business. IP refers to creations of the mind, such as a brand, logo, invention, design or artistic work. Head to the IP Australia website to find out more about IP, and how it might help your business.
Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.