D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), the dual-platform quantum computing company providing both annealing and gate-model systems, has joined the Southeastern Quantum Collaborative as an inaugural member. The collaborative brings together academia, industry and government to accelerate quantum information science advancement across the Southeast while developing the quantum-ready workforce needed to commercialize the technology.
The SQC includes The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Davidson Technologies, IBM and Alabama A&M University alongside D-Wave. This partnership creates a significant regional quantum ecosystem that could position the Southeast as a national leader in quantum innovation. Given that Davidson Technologies already hosts a D-Wave Advantage2 system at its Huntsville headquarters, D-Wave is particularly well positioned to support the collaborative's workforce development initiatives.
"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," said Jack Sears, vice president of government business solutions at D-Wave. He emphasized that establishing a globally competitive workforce capable of operationalizing both annealing and gate-model systems will be decisive in accelerating quantum adoption throughout the region's public and private sectors.
The implications of this collaboration extend beyond regional development to potential national impact. By investing in quantum talent and infrastructure, the Southeast could position itself as a leader in quantum-driven advancements across multiple industries including advanced manufacturing, energy, logistics, and defense. This aligns with D-Wave's broader mission to help customers realize quantum computing value through enterprise-grade systems available both on-premises and via its Leap quantum cloud service, which offers 99.9% availability and uptime.
More than 100 organizations across commercial, government and research sectors already trust D-Wave to address complex computational challenges using quantum computing. The company's dual-platform approach, spanning both annealing and gate-model technologies, provides unique capabilities for the collaborative's diverse membership. As quantum computing continues to evolve from theoretical research to practical application, partnerships like the SQC will play crucial roles in bridging the gap between academic research and commercial implementation.
For those interested in learning more about D-Wave's quantum computing systems and services, additional information is available at https://www.dwavequantum.com. The company's latest news and updates relating to QBTS are available through their newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QBTS. This collaboration represents a strategic investment in the future of quantum technology infrastructure and workforce development that could have lasting impacts on regional economic development and technological competitiveness.
