Vancouver-based quantum computing company D-Wave has announced the first-ever commercial sale of its Advantage quantum computer, marking a significant milestone in the practical adoption of quantum technology. While the customer remains undisclosed, the sale underscores growing interest in quantum annealing, a technique that D-Wave has championed.
Quantum annealing is particularly well-suited for optimization problems and is less affected by noise compared to gate-based quantum computing, which remains in its early stages. Unlike gate-based systems, annealing is already in commercial use, offering practical solutions for industries managing complex optimization challenges. “We believe it is evident that the world is quickly recognizing the near-term usefulness and value of D-Wave’s quantum systems,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave.
The sale follows D-Wave’s strategic initiatives to expand its footprint. The company recently partnered with Carahsoft Technology to promote the adoption of its quantum computing solutions by the U.S. government. This partnership could open new opportunities for leveraging quantum technology in areas like defense, logistics, and cybersecurity.
The broader quantum computing sector is also gaining traction. Despite NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang stating that practical quantum computing may still be two decades away, NVIDIA is investing heavily in the field. The company is hiring strategically to strengthen its quantum computing capabilities, signaling a long-term commitment to integrating quantum and classical computing systems.
The announcement comes as quantum computing stocks experience upward momentum. On Wednesday, premarket activity showed significant gains for stocks like Quantum Computing Inc. and D-Wave Quantum, spurred by Microsoft’s declaration that it aims to make its business clients “quantum-ready” by 2025. This surge reflects increasing anticipation and investment in quantum technologies, highlighting the sector’s potential to transform industries.
This sale also marks a turning point for D-Wave as it transitions from research to real-world solutions. With its stock stabilized after regaining compliance with the New York Stock Exchange in November 2024, D-Wave is poised to strengthen its leadership in commercially viable quantum computing.