Erica Grant continuing to make waves in region
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the final article in a series on Cohort 4 of “Innovation Crossroads.” The Cohort is in its second year of the program. Each article will focus on what’s next for the innovators and their companies.) By Kailyn Lamb, Marketing Content Writer and Editor, PYA
Erica Grant, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Lock Technologies, LLC, is continuing to make waves here in East Tennessee. Heading into her second year in Cohort 4 of “Innovation Crossroads,” Grant has numerous pitch competitions under her belt, two patents, and was named one of the “Forbes Next 1000” in 2021. You can read our previous teknovation.biz coverage on Grant here.
Quantum Lock has developed a hardware-software combination that generates random digital keys for doors, lockboxes, or computers. Grant said she is working closely with the cybersecurity group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on product development. While working remotely in the pandemic, Grant said it was difficult to build a team for Quantum Lock. While ORNL has helped with product development, she said she now also has a working team. She added they use online project management tools to stay in contact.
The “Innovation Crossroads” program has been instrumental in access to ORNL. Funding from the program has also boosted Quantum Lock’s products.
“‘Innovation Crossroads’ has been key to our progress so far,” Grant said.
For the upcoming year, Grant said the start-up is finishing a prototype to test Quantum Lock’s software and developing hardware. The company will be doing a pilot in the spring with EPB and ORNL.
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