Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park and DARPA QBI Performer Diraq Sign Letter of Intent to Join Park as a Future Tenant

Insider Brief

• Australian quantum computing company Diraq has signed a letter of intent to join the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), positioning itself as a future tenant through the Park’s On-Ramp program.
• Diraq, a performer in DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative and partner with Fermilab on DOE’s Quandarum project, aims to scale utility-grade quantum processors using silicon spin qubits and CMOS manufacturing.
• The IQMP continues to attract global quantum firms with state-backed initiatives including the $140 million Quantum Proving Ground, the National Quantum Algorithm Center, and anchor tenant PsiQuantum.

PRESS RELEASE — The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) announced it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Diraq to join the Park as a future tenant. The LOI outlines plans to initially locate at the IQMP’s On-Ramp, a program designed to allow companies who will ultimately be tenants at the IQMP to enter and leverage the Chicago and Illinois quantum ecosystem by operating out of a local innovation facility while the campus is under development. 

Diraq is an Australian firm recently awarded one of 16 Stage A contracts for the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. The company is pioneering a unique technology to rapidly achieve utility-scale quantum operations based on silicon quantum dot spin qubits using industry standard CMOS chip manufacturing technologies. In March 2025, a collaboration between Diraq and Fermilab aimed at developing an ultraprecise quantum sensor was awarded the Quandarum project by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science.

“Diraq building and scaling their quantum operation at the IQMP is a testament to Illinois attracting the tech and security sectors,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Diraq’s commitment further cements Illinois’ position as a global quantum leader and reflects the state’s commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth.” 

In July 2024, Governor Pritzker and DARPA announced the Quantum Proving Ground, a major partnership at the IQMP where quantum computing prototypes will be tested and evaluated as part of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. Illinois has committed $140 million in matching funds for the Quantum Proving Ground. 

“The Diraq mission is to design, build and deploy the world’s most cost-effective quantum computers, with the most compact footprint, allowing for mass deployment in data centers worldwide,” said Diraq’s CEO and Founder, Andrew Dzurak. “We recently set up operations in Silicon Valley and Boston, and we are looking at suitable options for expanding our presence. The IQMP represents an exciting opportunity that can support our U.S. growth strategy.”

At the On-Ramp facility, users will have access to more than 2,000 square feet of facilities and specialized equipment, such as cryostats, control electronics, lasers and optical tables. They will also have access to technical and programmatic support.

“We are thrilled to welcome Diraq to Illinois, and are proud that this innovative company and DARPA QBI performer is set to join the IQMP,” said Harley Johnson, Executive Director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. “Diraq also plans to be an initial user of the IQMP On-Ramp, a program to allow them to begin working within our ecosystem in Illinois while the IQMP is developed. We’ve been encouraged by the incredible interest from businesses across the globe who want to establish a presence at the Park, and we look forward to working with the talented team at Diraq as they continue advancing their quantum processors.” 

As a performer in Stage A of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, Diraq will participate in a six month program and have access to up to $1 million in federal funding. During the first three months of the program, the company will develop a system concept report on their utility scale quantum computing concept that will then be evaluated by the Government Test and Evaluation team. Following Stage A, performers will be selected to move into Stage B, which will focus on research and development plans.

“Illinois continues to attract global quantum leaders due to its revolutionary spirit and skilled workforce, and because nothing like the IQMP exists. The campus is a direct result of our state’s bold and strategic vision to drive innovation and economic opportunity,” said Intersect Illinois President and CEO Christy George. “We’re proud of our role in recruiting Diraq and are excited to see it progress in Illinois.” 

Last summer, Governor Pritzker, federal, state and local leaders and other partners joined together to announce the IQMP at the former U.S. Steel South Works site. Along with anchor tenant PsiQuantum, which will build the first utility-scale, error-corrected quantum computer, the Park will be home to the State’s partnership with DARPA on the Quantum Proving Ground, a program to test and evaluate quantum computing prototypes, and the National Quantum Algorithm Center, a partnership between the State, IBM, the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where innovators can advance useful quantum applications to solve complex problems.