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A major step for Switzerland’s quantum ecosystem
QuantumBasel and US quantum computing company IonQ have entered into a long-term strategic partnership. The collaboration will bring dedicated IonQ quantum systems to the uptownBasel campus in Arlesheim and establish an IonQ innovation center for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The partnership significantly expands the quantum computing infrastructure available through QuantumBasel and strengthens uptownBasel’s position as a location for advanced technology and industrial innovation.
For companies, research institutions, startups and universities, the collaboration means access to another leading quantum computing technology – complementing QuantumBasel’s existing partnerships with IBM and D-Wave.
Bringing a physical quantum computer to Arlesheim
At the heart of the partnership is the planned installation of dedicated IonQ quantum systems at uptownBasel.
The first system is scheduled to arrive in 2024 and will make advanced trapped-ion quantum computing directly accessible from Switzerland. A later generation is planned to further increase the computing capabilities available on site.
For QuantumBasel, this represents an important step beyond remote access to quantum computing resources. A physical system at the campus creates opportunities for companies and researchers to work directly with the technology, build expertise and develop applications in close collaboration with QuantumBasel’s specialists.
Expanding access to different quantum technologies
Quantum computing is developing rapidly, but there is no single technological approach that has emerged as the universal solution.
QuantumBasel therefore follows a technology-neutral strategy, giving its ecosystem access to different quantum computing architectures and providers.
The partnership with IonQ adds trapped-ion technology to an ecosystem that already includes access to IBM and D-Wave systems. This allows companies and researchers to explore which technologies are best suited to their specific challenges.
Potential application areas include logistics, financial services, industrial production, life sciences, chemistry and artificial intelligence.
IonQ establishes its EMEA innovation center at uptownBasel
The partnership goes beyond the installation of hardware.
IonQ will establish an innovation center for the entire EMEA region at the uptownBasel campus. The center is intended to support research and development of next-generation quantum systems and provide a European base for collaboration with customers and partners.
This brings international quantum expertise directly into the ecosystem in Arlesheim and strengthens the connection between technology providers, industry, research and entrepreneurship.
Making quantum computing accessible
A central ambition of QuantumBasel is to broaden access to quantum technology and help organizations move from curiosity to practical experimentation.
Instead of treating quantum computing as a distant research topic, the aim is to create an environment where companies can explore concrete use cases, develop algorithms and build the expertise required for future applications.
As QuantumBasel CEO Damir Bogdan emphasized when the partnership was announced, providing access to IonQ’s systems gives enterprise and research customers the opportunity to explore new quantum methods and approaches.
A new milestone for the uptownBasel ecosystem
For uptownBasel, the partnership marks another important step in building an internationally connected innovation ecosystem in Arlesheim.
QuantumBasel brings together quantum hardware providers, researchers, startups and companies from different industries. With IonQ joining IBM and D-Wave as a technology partner, the range of quantum technologies available through the ecosystem continues to grow.
The announcement also sets the stage for a major next milestone: the arrival and commissioning of Switzerland’s first physical, commercially accessible quantum computer at uptownBasel.
From access to infrastructure, from research to industrial application – the partnership with IonQ brings the quantum future another step closer to Arlesheim.
QuantumBasel – Strategic Partnership IonQ and QuantumBasel
IonQ – Partnership with QuantumBasel.
