Invest For Kids 2025: Why Chicago Is Betting $20 Billion On The Third Era Of Computing And QPUs

At the Invest For Kids 2025 conference, Brad Henderson, founding CEO of P33, outlined al long-dated strategy to position Chicago, Illinois, at the epicenter of the next major computational shift: quantum computing. Henderson’s core thesis is that the market is on the cusp of the "third big case of computing," transitioning from the CPU and GPU eras to the QPU (Quantum Processing Unit) era.

Also see 2025 Robin Hood Investors Conference: Coleman, Tudor Jones, Griffin, Robbins, Duquesne & More

P33, a nonprofit founded by key city leaders including former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and CEOs of Chicago’s major universities, has deemed quantum a crucial bet needed now to position the region for the next 15 to 20 years. The strategic decision to pursue this complex and risky frontier reflects a commitment by civic and business leadership to capture the next wave of global technology leadership.

Brad joined from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he was senior partner and managing director in the Chicago office.

The Three Epochs: Modeling Future Market Impact

Henderson frames quantum computing within the historical trajectory of enterprise computing shifts. The first epoch was defined by the CPU, giving rise to Silicon Valley and companies like Hewlett Packard. The second epoch, driven by the GPU, initially meant for gaming, has recently enabled massive advancements in AI and mathematics, resulting in "a $4 trillion company" (referencing the major market capitalizations driven by AI/GPU adoption or Nvidia specifically). Henderson predicts that five to ten years from now, others will be discussing the QPU as having the same trajectory and impact. This historical perspective is critical for allocators, suggesting that the QPU represents a monumental, multi-trillion-dollar market opportunity - not merely incremental growth.