D-Wave Quantum Expands European Presence with €10M Quantum Computing Initiative in Italy

D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), a global leader in quantum computing systems, software and services, is expanding its European presence through a significant €10 million quantum computing initiative in Italy. The company announced it is hosting a series of seminars starting this week aimed at advancing annealing quantum computing awareness and adoption among leading universities in the region as part of the newly formed Q-Alliance.

The Q-Alliance, revealed at last week's Digital Innovation Forum in Como, Italy, has been created to support the Italian government's strategic framework for digital and quantum technologies. This partnership represents a crucial step in Italy's digital transformation journey and positions the country to compete in the rapidly evolving quantum computing landscape. The alliance's formation underscores the growing importance European nations are placing on quantum technology development as a strategic national priority.

In support of the Q-Alliance, D-Wave announced a €10 million contract for a D-Wave Advantage2 annealing quantum computer in the region, ensuring accessibility for Italy's scientific community, academia, and industry. The agreement, made in partnership with the Italian government and the Q-Alliance, includes acquisition of 50% capacity of an Advantage2 system for five years with the option to purchase the full system. This substantial investment demonstrates the long-term commitment to building Italy's quantum computing infrastructure and capabilities.

As a founding member of the Q-Alliance, D-Wave is committed to fast-tracking efforts to establish Italy as a global hub of quantum innovation, said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. Through the placement of a D-Wave system in the region as well as ongoing hands-on workshops and training for Italy's researchers and academic community, we're providing access to D-Wave's powerful, commercial-grade quantum technologies and our team of experts to help usher in Italy's era of quantum-fueled progress. This strategic approach combines infrastructure deployment with educational components to create a comprehensive quantum ecosystem.

The initial workshops are being held at the Università dell'Insubria and the Università della Svizzera Italiana, with the seminars designed to accelerate education and awareness of quantum computing among Italy's growing ecosystem of young researchers through scholarships, internships, and training programs. These educational initiatives are critical for developing the next generation of quantum talent and ensuring Italy maintains competitiveness in this emerging field. The hands-on approach to training represents a practical method for building quantum computing expertise within the Italian research community.

This expansion into Italy represents a significant milestone in Europe's quantum computing landscape, providing Italian researchers and industries with direct access to advanced quantum computing resources that were previously limited to select global research centers. The initiative's importance extends beyond immediate technological access, as it positions Italy to participate in cutting-edge research and development across multiple sectors including optimization, artificial intelligence, and scientific discovery. More information about D-Wave's quantum computing systems and services can be found at https://www.dwavequantum.com.

The broader implications of this initiative suggest a shifting global quantum computing landscape where European nations are actively building domestic capabilities rather than relying solely on international providers. Italy's strategic investment through the Q-Alliance framework could serve as a model for other European countries seeking to develop their quantum computing infrastructure while fostering local talent development and research capabilities. This approach may influence how nations balance international partnerships with domestic capacity building in critical emerging technologies.