SHERBROOKE, QC, April 21, 2026 -- PINQ² (Digital and Quantum Innovation Platform) today announced that it has become the exclusive Canadian distributor of Pasqal's neutral atom quantum computing technology. This partnership, made possible by DistriQ's acquisition of a 100-qubit quantum processing unit from Pasqal, makes PINQ² the only not-for-profit platform in Canada combining IBM's superconducting quantum and Pasqal's neutral atom technologies with a classical HPC infrastructure, thus enabling the hybrid quantum-classical workflows required by the majority of real-world research and commercial applications.

Pasqal's Orion Alpha Quantum Processing Unit (QPU), hosted at DistriQ's Quantum Space 1, is now accessible to Canadian researchers and companies via the PINQ² platform. Pasqal's neutral atom technology is particularly well-suited to optimization and simulation problems in sectors such as energy, finance, aerospace, and materials science—use cases where analog quantum computing has demonstrated results internationally.

“Quantum computing is not a one-size-fits-all solution because different hardware architectures are better suited to different types of problems. What excites me about this partnership is that Canadian researchers and companies can now explore both approaches on a single platform, alongside classical computing, and let their problem guide the choice rather than the other way around. That's what making quantum innovation truly accessible means,” said Marie-Claude Messier, General Manager, PINQ².

Pasqal is a world leader in neutral atom quantum computing, with deployments and research partnerships in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The exclusive distribution agreement for PINQ² covers the Canadian market, with DistriQ's Orion Alpha QPU at Quantum Space 1 serving as the physical foundation for the offering.

“Canada has rapidly become one of the most dynamic quantum ecosystems in the world, and Sherbrooke is at its heart. Partnering with PINQ² as our exclusive distributor in Canada is a natural step. This gives Canadian researchers and businesses direct access to atom-neutral quantum computing within a world-class hybrid platform. We believe that combining Pasqal’s technology with PINQ²”s infrastructure and expertise will accelerate the path from quantum experimentation to real-world industrial impact,” said Wasiq Bokhari, CEO, Pasqal.

DistriQ, the Quantum Innovation Zone, is building Quebec's quantum community, accelerating the development of a world-class quantum hub that attracts international talent and companies. DistriQ's acquisition of Pasqal's Orion Alpha QPU at Espace Quantique 1 is the foundation that makes this offering available to Canadian users.

“The Orion Alpha system we acquired from Pasqal Canada is the first quantum computer manufactured in Sherbrooke, marking a significant milestone for our region. By partnering with PINQ², we are ensuring that this investment strengthens and serves the quantum community that DistriQ is building,” said Michel Pioro-Ladrière, Executive Director, DistriQ.

Availability

Canadian researchers and companies can access Pasqal's Orion Alpha QPU via PINQ²'s Advanced Hybrid Platform (AHP) starting in April 2026, alongside IBM's Quantum System One, with expert support to help match problems to the right hardware and get the most out of both technologies. The offering is available to academic users, industry, and formal collaborative research programs.