June 24, 2024 — Equal1, a leading silicon quantum computing company, recently announced a new agreement with the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) to advance the deployment of High Performance Computing and Quantum Computing (HPC-QC) in Ireland and Europe to drive technical innovation, address complex scientific and industrial challenges and maintain global competitiveness.

The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizes the mutual interaction and strengthens the existing relationship between Equal1 and ICHEC at the strategic and operational level. Specifically, the organizations together will:

• Promote and position High Performance Computing and Quantum Computing (HPC-QC) in Ireland and Europe as a matter of strategic importance, global competitiveness, and technical research and innovation.
• Engage jointly with other stakeholders to seek national-level funding and support for the operation and services of HPC-QC platforms for enterprise, academic and public sector organizations.
• Leverage national and European programs to collaboratively develop and engage in R&D on Equal1’s quantum computers and subsequent upgrades through 2026.
• Accelerate Quantum-HPC integration by conducting joint RD&I projects towards interoperable coupling and interfacing HPC supercomputers with QC systems.
• Enable Ireland to develop and deploy HPC-QC platforms and services for national users through synergy with the National Strategy for Quantum Technology, EU Quantum initiatives (e.g. Quantum Flagship, EuroHPC JU) and global activities (e.g. IEEE Quantum).

Commenting on the agreement, Venkatesh Kannan, Associate Director at ICHEC said: “ICHEC has a track record since 2018 of strongly positioning Ireland in European and international R&I activities by developing and interfacing HPC and QC technologies in hardware and software infrastructure as well as their use-cases and skills development.

“We are excited to formalize this partnership with Equal1. We see huge potential to collaboratively develop the HPC-QC software infrastructure catering to include Equal1’s QC technology. This partnership also brings a united front from Ireland for Equal1 and ICHEC to jointly participate in strategic and technology development activities at European and global levels.

“The ultimate beneficiaries of the Equal1-ICHEC partnership will be national users across academia, industry and public sector for research, innovation and competence development, propelling the realization of Ireland’s Quantum 2030 National Strategy.”

Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1, commented: “This collaboration marks a significant leap in driving forward innovation and positioning Ireland and Europe at the forefront of the global quantum race. Quantum technology has already shown its potential to materially accelerate growth in areas where Ireland and Europe are currently leaders, surpassing the capabilities of conventional computing. By working closely with ICHEC, we aim to create a robust ecosystem that integrates High-Performance Computing and Quantum Computing, continuing our journey to make quantum computing accessible and practical for real-world applications.”

About ICHEC

The Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) at the University of Galway is Ireland’s national center for High-Performance Computing (HPC) providing e-infrastructure, services and expertise to academia, industry and the public sector supported by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Skills and the Higher Education Authority. Established in 2005, ICHEC is hosted by the University of Galway, and accommodated within the College of Science and Engineering and aligned to the University’s Strategy 2020-2025.

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Source: ICHEC