Insider Brief
- IonQ has announced a strategic collaboration with Australia-based Emergence Quantum to co-develop next-generation quantum hardware, expanding its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
- The partnership will focus on improving ion trap performance through joint work on electronics, materials, and application-specific integrated circuits for qubit control.
- Emergence Quantum, led by former Microsoft and Raytheon quantum leaders, brings deep expertise in cryogenic electronics and hardware integration to the collaboration.
PRESS RELEASE — IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today announced a strategic collaboration with Emergence Quantum, an Australian research and development company focused on quantum hardware innovation. This initiative builds on IonQ’s momentum in Australia and reinforces its commitment to advancing quantum innovation through strategic global partnerships.
The Emergence Quantum team has decades of experience, strong public and private sector relationships, and a deep understanding of the Australian and U.S. quantum tech landscapes. Former members of Microsoft’s quantum team created the company to better harness their combined expertise in systems engineering, quantum control, and hardware integration.
Prof. David Reilly, Emergence Quantum CEO and co-founder, has held various positions at the University of Sydney, Harvard University, and the University of New South Wales. Prior to his current position, Prof. Reilly spent the previous eight years as a senior leader in Microsoft’s quantum group. Co-founder Thomas Ohki, Emergence Quantum CTO/CSO, led the quantum group at Raytheon/BBN Technologies, joining with Reilly at Microsoft for several years prior to establishing Emergence.
As part of the collaboration, IonQ and Emergence Quantum will expand on existing advances in ion trap technology by co-developing next-generation electronics and materials. This includes the design and simulation of application-specific integrated circuits for qubit control. The teams will also work to reduce hardware complexity while scaling system capacity. Additionally, they will explore new materials and deposition techniques to enhance ion trap performance.
“This collaboration furthers IonQ’s efforts to tap into one of the world’s most promising quantum talent pools while contributing meaningfully to Australia’s growing quantum industry,” said Dr. Dean Kassmann, SVP of IonQ’s Engineering and Technology division. “Our work with Emergence Quantum is part of a broader strategy to engage local experts and institutions around the world in advancing scalable, high-performance quantum computing and networking. This initiative will give IonQ significant access to a world-class team of Ph.D. quantum scientists that brings forward decades of experience in cryogenic electronics and quantum engineering.”
This work builds on IonQ’s ongoing work in the region, including its collaboration with the Australian National University, and reflects the company’s continued momentum in engaging with leading quantum research and talent ecosystems worldwide.
“We see tremendous demand in Australia for quantum technology so we are delighted to partner with IonQ to advance quantum innovation in the country,” said Prof. Reilly. “The challenge in Australia has always been how to bring in international investment, without losing the key know-how and talent that we have here. Collaborating with IonQ allows us to accelerate the pace of Australia’s quantum development and growth.”
