Creating a scalable quantum computer will require the collective effort of many skilled and diverse teams. To reach that goal, over the past few years we have built a coalition of partners, universities, customers, and developers, all with the goal of sharing knowledge and collaborating with the best quantum innovators.
Today – at our inaugural Startup Summit – we’re formalizing that coalition as the Microsoft Quantum Network. This global community of individuals and organizations will work directly with Microsoft to advance quantum computing, develop practical applications, and build the quantum workforce of the future.
“The Microsoft Quantum Network is our commitment to establishing the partnerships required to build the quantum workforce and the quantum economy,” Todd Holmdahl, Corporate Vice President of Azure Hardware Systems Group at Microsoft, said during the summit. “We believe both are vital to solving some of the world’s toughest problems.
We’ve previously announced partnerships with some of the world’s leading startup talent in quantum software and algorithm development. Today we welcome two new partners:
- HQS Quantum Simulations develops quantum algorithms for predicting molecular properties for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
- Rahko is a quantum machine–learning company developing scalable quantum chemistry solutions for near-term quantum computers and beyond.
HQS Quantum Simulations and Rahko will join other quantum startups who are working closely with Microsoft to build practical applications and accelerate the adoption of quantum computing. Quantum Network startups also benefit from a partnership with Microsoft for Startups to help them grow their businesses, build innovative solutions, and connect to valuable resources.
Other segments of the Microsoft Quantum Network are:
- Affiliate organizations have engaged directly with Microsoft to advance their expertise in quantum computing and jointly develop solutions that benefit their organization and industry. Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Pacific Northwest National Labs (PNNL) are examples of organizations collaborating with us on many solutions in the areas of optimization and chemistry.
- Centers dedicated to research, development, and educational excellence have partnered with Microsoft to pursue the advancement of quantum computing. Today we’re performing quantum research alongside some of the best and brightest minds at Purdue University, UC Santa Barbara, the University of Copenhagen, TU Delft, and the University of Sydney. At these locations, we’ve established Microsoft Quantum Labs where our research teams are advancing Microsoft Quantum research goals while also serving as scientific collaborators and partners with the quantum community.
- Developers and organizations have created their own quantum algorithms and applications with our free resources, including the Microsoft Quantum Development Kit, tutorials, Q# libraries, samples, and workshops. Developers have now downloaded the Quantum Development Kit more than 100,000 times.
If you or your organization are interested in becoming a member of the Microsoft Quantum Network as a startup or affiliate, click here to tell us about yourself.
It will take a diverse set of skills across academia and industry to help develop the world’s first scalable quantum computer and quantum applications. We are excited to bring together the best minds in quantum computing. Together, we will bring this vision to life and shape the future of the quantum workforce and economy.
