IBM and Q-CTRL teaming up

Q-CTRL, a quantum technology company, is one of just eight start-ups worldwide selected by IBM to collaborate on the acceleration of quantum computing as part of the Q Network.

The announcement of the first startups to join the Q Network was made on Thursday at the first IBM Q Summit Silicon Valley event, attended by Q-CTRL founder and CEO, Professor Michael J. Biercuk.

Professor Biercuk said: "Working with IBM is a logical step for Q-CTRL to develop real solutions to one of the hardest problems in quantum computing - dealing with hardware error. Backed by our partners Main Sequence Ventures and Horizons Ventures, Q-CTRL is focused on transitioning years of fundamental research to commercial-scale technology for the global quantum economy."

He said the collaboration with IBM and other Q Network organizations will assist Q-CTRL in designing solutions that help advance the IBM quantum hardware platform, arguably the most-advanced quantum computing system in the world.

"We expect this will lay the groundwork for a long-term relationship of mutual benefit," Professor Biercuk said.

IBM is one of the global leaders in the race to build a quantum computer, technology that has the potential to reshape this century as profoundly as digital computers changed life in the 20th century.

Professor Biercuk attended the Summit alongside 100 startup founders, venture capitalists and industry leaders and presented to the audience in several sessions.

Q-CTRL is the only company working on the control of quantum hardware to join IBM's Q Network, a recognition of the world-class research undertaken by Professor Biercuk's team.

Professor Biercuk said the IBM collaboration gives Q-CTRL the opportunity to further develop its quantum firmware products using the company's quantum devices.

"As IBM continues to scale-up its quantum computers, we will gain direct access to the company's most advanced devices and have an opportunity to help solve some of quantum computing's most vexing challenges," he said.

"Our techniques are already validated through our academic ion-trapping laboratory. Working with IBM gives us a new opportunity to test these concepts on a totally different kind of quantum computing hardware."

Collaborators in the IBM Q Network not only gain unique access to the company's quantum hardware, but join a network with access to IBM researchers and other Q Network organisations, such as JPMorgan Chase, Daimler, Samsung, JSR Corporation, Barclays, Hitachi Metals, Honda, Nagase, Keio University, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oxford University and University of Melbourne.

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