D-Wave Quantum Joins Southeastern Quantum Collaborative as Inaugural Member to Advance Regional Quantum Workforce Development

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 alongside The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Davidson Technologies, IBM, and Alabama A&M University. This collaboration brings together academia, industry, and government to accelerate the advancement and application of quantum information science and technology across the Southeast while developing the quantum-ready workforce needed to commercialize the technology.

The significance of this announcement lies in its potential to transform the Southeast into a national leader in quantum innovation. According to Jack Sears, vice president of government business solutions at D-Wave, 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. This workforce development initiative is particularly important as quantum computing moves from theoretical research to practical applications that can impact multiple industries.

D-Wave's position as the only dual-platform quantum computing company makes it uniquely qualified to support the SQC's objectives. The company's dual-platform approach, spanning both annealing and gate-model quantum computing technologies, provides comprehensive solutions for the diverse needs of the collaborative's members. D-Wave's existing relationship with Davidson Technologies, which hosts a D-Wave Advantage2 system at its headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama, further strengthens the company's ability to contribute to the collaborative's workforce development efforts. This infrastructure provides hands-on access to quantum computing resources that can accelerate skill development and practical application of quantum technologies.

The collaborative's focus on workforce development addresses a critical bottleneck in quantum technology adoption. By investing in quantum talent and infrastructure, the Southeast can position itself as a national leader in quantum innovation, advanced manufacturing, energy, logistics, and defense. This regional approach to quantum development represents a strategic shift from isolated research efforts to coordinated ecosystem building that can accelerate commercialization and practical implementation of quantum technologies. The inclusion of both academic institutions and industry partners ensures that workforce development aligns with real-world needs and applications.

D-Wave's participation in the SQC reflects the company's broader mission to help customers realize the value of quantum computing through enterprise-grade systems available on-premises and via its Leap quantum cloud service. 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 involvement in regional initiatives like the SQC demonstrates how quantum computing is moving beyond research laboratories into practical applications that can drive economic development and technological leadership. For more information about D-Wave's quantum computing systems and services, visit www.dwavequantum.com.