Infleqtion

Infleqtion (formerly ColdQuanta) is a developer of quantum computers based on the use of cold neutral atoms (similar to trapped ions, but cold atoms), which the company believes will help with scalability. Its current focus is on building hardware, but the company entered the software space in May 2022 with the acquisition of quantum software company Super.tech . In January 2024, the company also acquired SiNoptiq and Morton Photonics to bolster quantum manufacturing capabilities. 

ColdQuanta, which was a spin-off of the University of Colorado Boulder, started off as a supplier of various quantum instruments and systems, later venturing into building its own quantum computers. In November 2022 , a new umbrella brand, “Infleqtion,” was launched, under which ColdQuanta will operate as a dedicated quantum research branch. This restructuring reflects the company’s aim of building an ecosystem of quantum technologies and commercial quantum products via acquisitions. 

The company operates in three lines of business: Quantum Computing, Devices and Machines, and Quantum Research-as-a-Service (QRaaS). The quantum computing division builds quantum computers, and in July 2021, it announced reaching 100 qubits in its cloud-based quantum system “Hilbert.” The devices and machines division provides hardware to other quantum computing companies and quantum lab environments. The company also released its software platform, Superstaq, in September 2023 into open beta. The platform offers device-physics-aware compilation techniques and various optimization techniques. In December 2023, the company launched the world's first quantum innovation platform, Oqtant , as a service to offer access to quantum matter via the cloud. 

The company claims its key advantage is the core technology that has applications in a variety of hardware, ranging from accelerometers, spoof-proof GPS devices, radio frequency (RF) sensors, stealth communications, etc., which are carried out by the QRaaS division. In May 2024 , Infleqtion notably became the first-ever company to trial quantum-based navigation systems in commercial flights. 

Key customers and partnerships

The company received four contracts from the US Defense Department’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): 1) to develop a scalable cold-atom-based quantum computing hardware and software platform to demonstrate quantum advantage (April 2020); 2) to develop a Rydberg atom-based radio frequency (RF) sensor system (value undisclosed) ( August 2021 ); 3) to accelerate the development of Coldquanta’s atomic clock technologies, including sensing and quantum positioning systems (QPS, value undisclosed) ( August 2022 ); and 4) to advance quantum algorithms for generative machine learning ( October 2023 ). It also partnered with Classiq (January 2022) to jointly build 100-qubit quantum circuits, World View (January 2023) to launch a faster and cost-effective quantum application testing solution, and the US Department of Energy (DOE) (November 2023) to demonstrate quantum technologies in space.