Press Release
QuantumBasel brings the first commercially viable physical quantum computer to Switzerland
June 22, 2023
QuantumBasel, a company of the uptownBasel group, is propelling the advancement of quantum computing through a strategic partnership with IonQ, a prominent U.S. quantum computer manufacturer
This collaboration cements QuantumBasel's position as a neutral quantum hub and international innovation ecosystem by providing access through world-class quantum computers. Customers and partners of QuantumBasel will benefit from cutting-edge quantum computing technology. Furthermore, QuantumBasel is set to house Switzerland's first commercially viable quantum computer at the uptownBasel site, starting in 2024. As part of this partnership, IonQ will establish an innovation center for the EMEA region on the campus, enhancing QuantumBasel's existing partnerships with IBM and D-Wave Systems.
The development of uptownBasel is progressing significantly: QuantumBasel is bringing a physical quantum computer from the US company IonQ to the Schorenarea in 2024, making it Switzerland's first physical and commercially accessible quantum computer, which will be commercially viable from 2024.
QuantumBasel not only offers companies direct access to a physical quantum computer, but also opens quantum computers to the general public. Quantum computers thus become tangible. This goes hand in hand with QuantumBasel's vision to "democratize quantum computing," as Damir Bogdan says. "There are already a number of use cases today that QuantumBasel has presented to various companies in logistics, financial services, industrial production and life science, some of which have been carried out," Bogdan says.
"The deployment of IonQ systems on site will accelerate and enhance our pursuit of quantum innovation and further our goal of achieving breakthroughs," says Dr. Thomas Staehelin, investor and Chairman of the Board of uptownBasel. This way, uptownBasel also expects to attract more innovation companies.
Specifically, two generations of quantum computers will be installed on site. The first quantum computer with 35 algorithmic qubits (#AQ 35), coming to uptownBasel in 2024, is expected to "surpass the capabilities of quantum simulators on classical computers," according to Peter Chapman, CEO and president of IonQ. This computer will later be replaced by the next generation with 64 algorithmic qubits (#AQ 64). "With the #AQ 64, it is expected that even the best conventional supercomputers will no longer be able to compete with it." IonQ and QuantumBasel anticipate that many applications at this scale will gain a quantum advantage - that is, the superiority of quantum over conventional computing technology - ushering in a new era of computing.
"It's a historic deal for IonQ and the quantum industry. This is the system that companies have been waiting for. We are glad that QuantumBasel is joining us on this journey," Peter Chapman continued.
"Broadening access to quantum technology is a core tenet of QuantumBasel and IonQ. We welcome partners and potential users to become an integral part of the development of quantum algorithms and applications for a variety of industries in the coming years," said Noam Zakay, Managing Director, IonQ GmbH.
The new partnership with IonQ illustrates once again how fast and focused the development of QuantumBasel is being driven forward. Only last September, the partnership with IBM and thus the first Switzerland-wide access to quantum computing was published. This was followed by the announcement of the partnership with D-Wave Systems and now IonQ.
QuantumBasel Media contact:
Camila Galvez
camila.galvez@uptownbasel.ch