Insider Brief
- Quantum Machines, an Israeli quantum software company, plans to establish a lab at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s South Side, becoming the sixth tenant to commit to the state-backed research campus.
- The company develops control software that links quantum computers with classical systems and says its technology is used by more than half of companies building quantum computers worldwide.
- Illinois has committed $500 million to the park as part of a broader effort to attract quantum companies, research activity and investment and position the state as a leading U.S. quantum hub.
- Aerial view of the former U.S. Steel South Works site (IQMP)
Quantum Machines, quantum software company from Israel, plans to expand into Chicago, adding another anchor tenant to Illinois’ push to build a nationally prominent quantum technology hub.
According to Crain’s Chicago Business, the company expects to establish a presence at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, a 138-acre research campus under construction on the former U.S. Steel South Works site along Lake Michigan near the Indiana border. The company would become the sixth tenant to publicly commit to the park, which is positioned as the centerpiece of Illinois’ quantum strategy.
Quantum Machines develops software that controls quantum computers and connects them with conventional computing systems. While quantum computers rely on the rules of quantum physics rather than classical electronics, they still require traditional hardware and software to operate, manage data and run hybrid workloads. Quantum Machines’ tools sit at that interface, coordinating how quantum processors execute instructions and exchange information with classical machines.
The strength of the Illinois ecosystem is one of the reasons the company established a base in Chicago, company executives told Crain’s Chicago Business.
“While QM has strong partnerships across the U.S. quantum ecosystem, the decision to locate in Chicago was driven first and foremost by the strength of the Illinois ecosystem,” CEO Itamar Sivan said in a statement, as reported by the business magazine.
Quantum Machines is headquartered in Tel Aviv and says its technology is used by more than half of the companies worldwide that are building quantum computers. The company has raised about $280 million in private funding and employs roughly 300 people globally. So far, there is no official report on how many employees it expects to hire in Chicago or when its local operations would begin.
A Growing Anchor for Illinois’ Quantum Strategy
State leaders have made quantum technology a cornerstone of Illinois’ long-term economic development plans. Gov. JB Pritzker has committed $500 million in state funding to the quantum park, which is designed to attract companies working across the quantum supply chain, from hardware and software to specialized components and research infrastructure.
At the center of the campus is a large cryogenic facility, which will generate the ultra-cold temperatures required to operate many types of quantum computers. Some quantum processors must be cooled to temperatures close to absolute zero to function reliably, a requirement that makes shared infrastructure a major draw for startups and large companies alike.
Among the companies planning to locate at the park are quantum hardware developers PsiQuantum, IBM, Infleqtion and Pasqal. Quantum Machines’ partners include Diraq, which also plans to become a tenant at the site.
The portfolio reflects the broader challenge of moving quantum computers from laboratory-scale machines into systems large and reliable enough to deliver commercial value. While today’s quantum devices are still limited, researchers and companies believe that scaled systems could eventually outperform classical computers on certain problems, including complex simulations and optimization tasks relevant to artificial intelligence, materials science and logistics.
Software’s Role in Scaling Quantum Systems
Unlike traditional computing, where hardware standards are well established, quantum computing remains fragmented, with multiple hardware approaches under development. Software platforms that can operate across different machines and integrate with existing data centers are seen as a critical enabler as the field matures.
Quantum Machines’ systems are designed to help manage the increasing complexity of quantum experiments and early production systems, particularly as developers combine quantum processors with conventional high-performance computing resources.
Beyond its planned lab, Quantum Machines said it will bring industry events to the city. The company intends to host its Adaptive Quantum Circuits conference in Chicago in November. The conference, previously held in Boston, typically draws about 150 attendees from across the quantum research and commercial communities.
