D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), the only company offering both annealing and gate-model quantum computing systems, announced its participation as an inaugural member of the Southeastern Quantum Collaborative (SQC). The SQC, which also includes The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Davidson Technologies, IBM, and Alabama A&M University, aims to bring together academia, industry, and government to accelerate quantum information science and technology across the Southeast.
The collaborative's primary goals include advancing the application of quantum computing and developing a skilled workforce ready to commercialize the technology. D-Wave's involvement is bolstered by the presence of its Advantage2 system at Davidson Technologies' headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama. This positions D-Wave to contribute significantly to the SQC's workforce development initiatives.
Jack Sears, vice president of government business solutions at D-Wave, highlighted the importance of the collaboration: "Alabama has long been a leader in the development and use of advanced technologies, and D-Wave is excited to join the Southeastern Quantum Collaborative as an inaugural member to support the next wave of innovation coming from the region - quantum computing." Sears emphasized that establishing a globally competitive, quantum-ready workforce is crucial for operationalizing both annealing and gate-model systems in mission-critical decision-making, large-scale efficiency, and national security.
D-Wave's dual-platform approach, offering both annealing and gate-model systems, is a key differentiator. The company provides enterprise-grade systems on-premises and via its Leap quantum cloud service, which boasts 99.9% availability. With over 100 organizations across commercial, government, and research sectors using its technology, D-Wave is well-positioned to support the SQC's mission.
The formation of the SQC underscores a broader trend of regional quantum ecosystem development. By pooling resources and expertise, the collaborative aims to position the Southeast as a national leader in quantum innovation, with potential impacts on advanced manufacturing, energy, logistics, and defense. D-Wave's participation is expected to accelerate adoption of quantum computing in the public and private sectors of the region.
For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/Pitiq.
