As government and defense organizations around the world are increasing their understanding of the importance of quantum computing–and allocating more money to invest in it–they are ripening as commercial opportunities for the sector. Thus, quantum companies are becoming more organized in their efforts to sell into these organizations.
That looks to be what Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI) has in mind. After it dropped a hint by naming U.S. intelligence community veteran James Simon to lead its technical advisory board, QCI this week announced QI Solutions, Inc. (QIS), a new, wholly-owned subsidiary of QCI dedicated to delivering quantum solutions to the government and defense markets. QIS, based out of a new facility in Arizona, will lead and manage engagements, contracts and programs awarded from the U.S. government and Department of Defense.
QI Solutions will be overseen by Sean Gabeler, president of QIS, who in addition to being an operations and applied technology expert also spent 30 years as a Special Operations officer and is a highly decorated multi-war combat veteran.
“We see tremendous potential for our market-ready quantum solutions in the government and defense sectors, with an extensive and ever-increasing scope of technological applications. To better meet those needs, we determined it would be best to set up a separate entity specifically to address the unique requirements of this market,” commented Robert Liscouski, CEO at Quantum Computing Inc. “Once we made that assessment and began conversations with key-decision makers in this space regarding their needs, we knew right away there was no better-experienced professional than Sean to lead the new initiative. Sean is a highly experienced and proven leader with a successful track record of transitioning emerging technology to real world applications and is precisely what QCI requires to successfully lead this effort.”
QCI chose Arizona as the base for QIS for strategic reasons: its leadership in the field of optics, its early recognition of the importance of advanced photonic research, and the presence of numerous state government and U.S. government entities, as well as strong research universities.
QIS will offer a full slate of QCI products, including entropy quantum computing solutions, software, and technologies for quantum communication and quantum sensing, to government organizations.
“We have already been engaged in discussions with a number of these entities, and anticipate that we could soon see our solutions utilized in a wide variety of boutique applications for our clients,” Gabeler said. “The U.S. government recognizes that quantum technologies are essential to maintaining technology leadership in the world today.”
QCI’s announcements aimed at the government sector may have given it a brief stock boost. Its stock – QUBT – closed at $2.46 per share last Friday, at that point its highest market since October. It surged to an intra-day high of $3.38 on Monday before finishing down at $2.11.
Dan O’Shea has covered telecommunications and related topics including semiconductors, sensors, retail systems, digital payments and quantum computing/technology for over 25 years.