There’s been no shortage of quantum news in Maryland this month.
Leading up to the Quantum World Congress hosted at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), British company Riverlane announced it chose the state for its US headquarters. It’s one of several companies that have recently planted roots at the university.
Another university got some big news, too. Morgan State is partnering with Google to advance its AI research. Plus, some new engineering jobs are coming to Cecil County.
Read on for more details and other power moves.
Riverlane joins Maryland’s push to build a quantum hub
Riverlane, a Cambridge-based quantum company, will establish its US headquarters at UMD’s Discovery District.
The company received support for its move from the Capital of Quantum initiative. Gov. Wes Moore launched the program in January 2025 to attract over $1 billion in federal, state and private funding to the quantum industry. A Riverlane representative declined to provide more information about state financial backing for the move.
UMD will provide offices and laboratories to Riverlane for its new headquarters. Alongside this space, the company will partner with the university on internships, mentorship and workforce development opportunities for students. The company did not confirm headcount at its new Maryland location.
“The company will be advertising new roles across research, engineering, commercial and operations,” Riverlane representative Zoe Aster wrote in an email to Technical.ly, “and welcomes applications from qualified candidates in Maryland and beyond.”
Riverlane is the second British quantum company in the past year to relocate to the state. In June, Quantum Motion announced its first US facility at UMD.
Northrop Grumman to hire 250 engineers in Elkton
Northrop Grumman opened a propulsion innovation center to continue researching engine technology within its existing Elkton manufacturing facility.
The 57,000-square-foot expansion will support 250 new engineering jobs, according to the governor’s office. The company spent over $100 million to fund the center.
The defense firm operates six facilities across the state, including in Linthicum, Annapolis and Hanover, as one of Maryland’s top employers. The company employs over 15,000 residents as of 2025, according to the Department of Commerce.
The Elkton site specializes in developing and manufacturing propulsion systems like rocket motors. The state has awarded the location over $14 million in economic development incentives since 2018.
Morgan State taps Google’s AI tools to expand research
Morgan State University is receiving resources from Google to support its AI research.
The tech giant will provide Google Cloud, Gemini Enterprise, generative AI tools and Google Security Operations as part of its public sector program, which offers the platforms at a discounted rate.
The tools will be used by programs like the Morgan Urban Intelligence Corridor to study transportation risks in Baltimore.
A Morgan State University representative told Technical.ly that Google does not provide financial information for the total value of the suite.
“Morgan’s collaboration with Google Public Sector is about more than technology adoption,” Morgan State Chief Information Officer Timothy Summers said in a press release. “It is about building the institutional infrastructure, governance capacity and research environment required to use AI responsibly and strategically.”
More power moves
- United Way of Central Maryland CEO Franklyn Baker stepped down after nearly 10 years at the nonprofit. Carmen Del Guercia, who previously served as the chief executive of the Maryland Food Bank, has taken over as interim CEO.
- Eagle Bank is expanding its operations from Bethesda to Baltimore, with plans to open an office and retail branch.
- Baltimore-based ReBokeh will start providing free access to its assistive vision tech at the Seattle Art Museum.
- Microsoft’s quantum research center opened at UMD’s Discovery District.
- IT firm Lentech brought on former Empower AI executive Ryan Rohr as chief growth officer.
- Aledade, a Bethesda-based healthcare company, named Sashi Moodley as chief medical officer and Kim Wittman as chief people officer.
- EcoMap Technologies in Baltimore is partnering with Urban Inclusion Community, an African entrepreneurship organization, marking its first collaboration in the region.
