IonQ has agreed to acquire all the operating assets of Qubitekk as part of a push to broaden its presence in the quantum networking industry.
College Park, Maryland-based IonQ said Wednesday it expects the acquisition to close within the next six months and help expand its technology portfolio in quantum network security and protection and quantum networking hardware.
Qubitekk's workforce and executive team - including Stan Ellis, co-founder and CEO; Duncan Earl, co-founder and chief technology officer; Corey McClelland, chief revenue officer; and Keith Clark, president - will join IonQ to help advance quantum networking efforts.
IonQ President and CEO Peter Chapman said the acquisition will mark a key step for the company's expansion in the quantum networking market.
"The combination of Qubitekk and IonQ will allow us to continue our momentum in quantum networking. Quantum networking and quantum computing are highly synergistic for IonQ. I expect that the quantum networking part of IonQ could be the first division to be cash flow positive," Chapman added.
Qubitekk designs, develops and integrates software and hardware for quantum networks. The Vista, California-based company's quantum technology supports new tech platforms across the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, sensing applications, automation, secure communications and cybersecurity.
The company has built and deployed the EPB Quantum Network in Tennessee and supported commercial and government customers, including the Department of Defense, NASA and the Department of Energy.
The public quantum computing company developed IonQ Forte, a quantum computer featuring 36 algorithmic qubits.