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AnnealingEst. 1999Burnaby, British Columbia

D-Wave

D-Wave

The world's first commercial quantum company.

The world's first commercial quantum company, betting on quantum annealing to solve massive optimization problems today.

Founded Before Anyone Was Watching

D-Wave started in 1999 — years before quantum computing became a fashionable field.

Led by Alan Baratz (CEO)

The Story

Timeline.

1999

Founded in Vancouver — years before quantum computing was fashionable.

2011

Sells the world's first commercial quantum computer, D-Wave One, to Lockheed Martin.

2013

Google and NASA buy a D-Wave Two for the Quantum AI lab at Ames.

2020

Launches Advantage system with over 5,000 qubits.

2022

Goes public on the NYSE via SPAC.

2025

Demonstrates 'quantum computational supremacy' on a magnetic materials simulation.

What makes them different

Key Facts

  • Focuses on quantum annealing — a specialized approach for optimization.
  • Ships the most qubits per system of any quantum vendor.
  • Also builds a gate-model system for the broader market.
  • Machines are physical cabinets you can install on premises.

Real-world pilots

Quantum Uses Today

  • Logistics routing for Volkswagen and DENSO.
  • Financial portfolio optimization with Mastercard.
  • Fraud detection and scheduling in production environments today.

If they succeed

Potential Applications

  • Real-time supply chain optimization at planetary scale.
  • Grid balancing for renewable-heavy power networks.
  • Materials design via annealing-based simulation.