D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), the only dual-platform quantum computing company providing both annealing and gate-model systems, has joined the Southeastern Quantum Collaborative (SQC) as an inaugural member. Alongside partners including The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Davidson Technologies, IBM and Alabama A&M University, D-Wave will contribute to the collaborative's mission of advancing quantum information science and technology across the Southeast.
The SQC brings together academia, industry and government to accelerate the application of quantum computing and develop a quantum-ready workforce. D-Wave's involvement is particularly strategic given that Davidson Technologies hosts a D-Wave Advantage2 system at its headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama. This positions the company to directly support workforce training and hands-on experience with quantum systems.
Jack Sears, vice president of government business solutions at D-Wave, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration: “Establishing a globally competitive, quantum-ready workforce across the Southeast — capable of operationalizing annealing and gate-model systems for mission-critical decision-making, large-scale operational efficiency, and the protection of national interests — will be decisive in accelerating adoption throughout the region’s public and private sectors.”
The initiative aims to position the Southeast as a national leader in quantum innovation, with applications in advanced manufacturing, energy, logistics and defense. As quantum computing moves from research to commercialization, workforce development becomes critical for widespread adoption. D-Wave's dual-platform approach, offering both annealing and gate-model technologies, provides a comprehensive toolset for training and application development.
D-Wave is a pioneer in quantum computing, being the world's first commercial supplier of quantum computers and the first to offer both annealing and gate-model systems. Its Leap quantum cloud service boasts 99.9% availability, serving over 100 organizations across commercial, government and research sectors. The company's participation in the SQC underscores its commitment to expanding quantum capabilities in the public and private sectors.
For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/Pitiq. Updates on D-Wave are also accessible at https://ibn.fm/QBTS.
