Open Quantum Design (OQD) has a bold vision – to accelerate quantum technologies across sectors. Learn what this means for future-driven businesses.
Just five years ago, half of all quantum-trained professionals worldwide had, at some point, been through the Waterloo ecosystem. That’s one of the mind-blowing facts Greg Dick, CEO of Waterloo-based OQD, shared with us during our conversation.
Waterloo region has been a frontrunner in advancing quantum research, earning its reputation as “Quantum Valley.” Building on a foundation laid by Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), two world leaders in this space, OQD is taking the lead in building the world’s first open-source, full-stack quantum computer.
Here’s what we talked about:
Q: Tell us about Open Quantum Design and the vision behind it.
Dick: OQD is a spin out from IQC and Perimeter Institute’s Quantum Intelligence Lab (PIQuIL). It’s a non-profit, open-source foundation modeled after some very successful classical computing examples like the Linux Foundation and RISC-V.
We’re on the cusp of a second quantum revolution which is why we created OQD with three goals: to create shared wealth and prosperity for all; support quantum workforce development; and address the lack of access to hardware, which is the biggest constraint in scaling quantum computing. We’ll do this by bringing together industry, academia, government and entrepreneurs to collaborate in an open-source system to benefit each other.
Q: What is the ‘second quantum revolution’?
Dick: I often use an analogy I borrowed from Martin Laforest that the leap from early computers to supercomputers is like going from horse and carriage to racing cars – faster, but still on the same roads. Quantum computing, however, is like moving from a horse and buggy to an airplane – a completely different technology. Classical computers model the world in ones and zeros, which works well. But our world is made of ones, zeros, and everything in between. A quantum computer captures all of that.
The second quantum revolution promises new frontiers for businesses, empowering them to tackle complex challenges with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Think of 15 to 20 years from now. We’ll have personalized drugs for critical illnesses, enhanced MRIs for early detection of diseases, new carbon capture catalysts for better climate action and ultra-secure networks for communication and finance.
But to make these possibilities into tangible solutions, we need to start working today. Our goal with building an open-source machine is to bring together all the players (industry, academia and government) to collaborate with each other in a safe space to accelerate quantum technologies. This will also lower the entry barriers for entrepreneurs who might have a great idea but have limited access to resources or hardware.
" We have good supply chain infrastructure for industries like semiconductors, AI and advanced materials, which will help us scale quantum to give us a Canadian edge. "
Greg Dick
CEO, Open Quantum Design
Q: What role do Waterloo and Canada play in this new era?
Dick: We’re in the exact right spot and right country to be doing quantum. Canada is at the global leadership table because of early investments made, in large part, by Mike Lazaridis, and subsequent investments by provincial and federal governments and private investors. We’re really lucky to be where we’re at. In the last few years, our ecosystem has raced from theoretical through experimental to commercialization.
We have good supply chain infrastructure for industries like semiconductors, AI and advanced materials in place which will help us scale quantum to give us a Canadian advantage. We need to capitalize on our quantum strengths to help grow the industry by telling our quantum story to all the industry players.
Canada has 60+ quantum startups, which in terms of real numbers, is second only to the US, which is incredible. Our quantum ecosystem represents a workforce of nearly 3,000 and includes quantum unicorn startup Xanadu out of Toronto.
When we talk about Waterloo specifically, we’ve had quantum expertise for 25+ years that has allowed us to become experts in telling the ‘quantum story’. We have 15+ quantum companies doing amazing things across different industries. We’ve got EvolutionQ working on cryptography and quantum safe communications, ForeQast working on logistics and supply chain, YiyaniQ working on financial portfolio management, QEYnet which works in quantum communications, Quantum Valley Ideas Lab which focuses on quantum sensing and OQD, which is building the world’s first open-source quantum computer.
Q: How can Canada stay competitive?
Dick: First, we need governments (regional, provincial, or federal) to provide more mechanisms for non-dilutive funding. That means that we need purchase orders, not grants. We need policies that encourage other industry players to be the early adopters of quantum technologies. This will not only help build quantum talent for them but also give them a competitive edge. A Boston Consulting Group study suggests that the first 10% of early adopters are poised to reap over 85% of the value generated by quantum computing.
The second priority is quantum workforce development. According to a World Economic Forum study, there are three vacant jobs for every single quantum resume. We need to drive down the real and perceived barriers of entering the quantum workforce. We don’t need only PhDs, but also laser specialists, vacuum specialists, engineers and communicators. We think that’s where OQD can really help.
Third, we need to strengthen our global position. It’s crucial to our national security and also for our sovereign capabilities across our supply chains. An NRC report says that if we continue to invest and grow at the current rate, we’ll capture 8% of the global quantum market by 2045. That’s double what a typical tech industry can do! It would generate 220,000 jobs and would account for 3% of the GDP.
We have massive potential and we’re in a great spot. We have to put our foot on the accelerator. We can’t let up now!
Quantum lives in Waterloo
Our progressive quantum ecosystem, combined with organizations like OQD, is turning the future of quantum into a reality – right here in Waterloo. It’s the perfect location for businesses wanting to stay ahead of the curve in quantum tech.
Our team can answer them.