July 20, 2026 -- Over the past decade, quantum computing has moved from theoretical concepts and experimental devices to scientifically useful machines integrated with today’s high-performance computing (HPC). This progress is significant considering the first theories of quantum mechanics were developed 100 years ago.

IBM Fellow and Turing award winner Charles H. Bennett developed his quantum information theory in 1970. Nobel laureate Richard Feynman suggested in 1981 that if we wanted to simulate nature, we would need a quantum computer.

As quantum computing matures and enterprises move from experimentation to real-world use cases, the question is no longer whether quantum computing will matter. Instead, it is how quickly it can deliver an advantage over classical compute.

For this reason, IBM Ventures invests in startups developing solutions across the stack. From algorithm development to error-mitigation and suppression software, these solutions help turn technical breakthroughs into scalable, enterprise-ready capabilities that complement our industry-leading quantum computing efforts overall.

From quantum potential to quantum capability

In 2016, IBM put the first quantum computer on the cloud, opening access to an entirely new computational paradigm for everyone. It enabled students, researchers and developers as well as domain experts and enterprises around the world to begin exploring quantum computing directly.

Since then, IBM has built the most advanced and widely accessible quantum computing platform available today. Over the past decade, it has deployed more than 90 quantum computers for the world’s largest user ecosystem, including more than 340 organizations in the IBM Quantum® Network.

IBM Ventures extends that commitment by backing founders who develop the software, tools and applications that advance the usefulness of quantum computers in real-world environments.

Where IBM Ventures focuses its investment efforts

IBM operates the world’s most advanced quantum platform, but delivering on the promise of applications that achieve a quantum advantage requires a large, diverse ecosystem.

IBM Ventures sees the greatest opportunity across the application and algorithm development, circuit optimization and orchestration and HPC workflow layers of the quantum stack where usability, performance and integration determine real-world impact. This initiative includes:

• Software tools that improve how today’s quantum computers are programmed, executed and optimized
• Quantum algorithms that translate theoretical advantages into tractable solutions for near-term and fault-tolerant quantum computers alike
• Platforms that bridge quantum and classical computing within production-grade enterprise environments
• Architectures for orchestration, networking and system-to-system communication that enable quantum computers to operate as part of broader computational workflows
• Application domains where quantum advantage is beginning to crystallize, including high energy physics, materials science, healthcare and life sciences, optimization and sustainability

IBM Ventures invests early in startups that pair deep technical rigor with practical ambition, delivering measurable value today while laying the foundations for a scalable, fault-tolerant quantum future.

Alongside our venture investments, IBM Ventures is working with the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center through the Duality accelerator. It is also collaborating with Banco Santander, Bluzec and Oxentia Foundation through the Santander X Global Challenge | The Quantum AI Leap.

Duality provides early-stage quantum software companies with access to IBM’s quantum computers, technical mentorship and the enterprise relationships needed to grow from research-driven teams into investable, market-ready businesses.

The Santander X Global Challenge aims to identify disruptive projects, startups and scaleups that develop innovative solutions based on quantum computing and AI. Both efforts underscore IBM’s commitment to growing and investing in the quantum ecosystem.

Why now is the time to invest

Quantum computing is approaching a pivotal moment, as we are seeing the delivery of applications that can run a computation with greater accuracy, lower cost and higher efficiency than a classical computer. IBM believes that such applications will be available this year and has established a community-led Quantum Advantage Tracker to verify these initial demonstrations of advantage.

IBM’s roadmap also targets fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2029, which is when quantum computers will be able to run large-scale computations even in the presence of errors. While that milestone is still ahead, the progress in scalable, modular, error-correcting architecture made by IBM’s scientists shows that the path forward is clear.

Advances in error suppression, error correction and compute performance have moved quantum computing from speculative to executable systems. Today’s quantum computers are already proving useful, particularly when paired with classical HPC in hybrid workflows.

Enterprises are no longer waiting on the sidelines; they are actively experimenting, learning and positioning themselves for quantum advantage in the near term. They are also preparing for IBM’s large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers to become available before the end of the decade.

Across financial services, materials sciences, energy, healthcare, supply chain logistics and beyond, leading organizations are actively assessing where quantum can deliver a meaningful advantage. The ecosystem built now will define how quickly those advantages can scale.

Growing the quantum ecosystem

Our commitment to the quantum ecosystem extends well beyond capital. Building a durable quantum industry requires more than funding promising startups; it requires developing talent, accelerating learning curves and creating credible pathways from research to enterprise adoption.

By supporting quantum innovators both directly and through ecosystem engagements, IBM Ventures is helping shape the conditions required for useful quantum computing to emerge at scale.