D-Wave Quantum Inc. recently announced at the global Qubits 2024 conference hosted by the company the launch of a new hybrid quantum solver for nonlinear programs, enabling customers to confront real-world problems of growing complexity. D-Wave said that the solver is already available to users through its Leap quantum cloud service and will help customers solve complex optimization problems of increased scale.

The University of Waterloo has officially opened its state-of-the-art Inert Atmosphere Fabrication Lab (IAFL) as part of the Quantum-Nano Fabrication and Characterization Facility (QNFCF). Managed by QNFCF, facilities like these enable researchers at Waterloo to advance basic and applied research in quantum science, quantum computing and quantum simulation.

Zero Point Cryogenics, a manufacturer of dilution refrigerators, recently announced that it has successfully secured a non-dilutive funding of $2.67 million CAD. This funding comprises $1.95 million CAD from PrairiesCan’s Regional Quantum Initiative and $723,500 CAD from the City of Edmonton’s Edge Fund. The company said that this funding will be used to accelerate product development, expand its team, and drive global sales.

There are more than 60 quantum companies in Canada and around eight of them are based in B.C. This includes world-leading firms such as D-Wave Systems, the world’s first company to offer commercial quantum computing services, and Photonic Inc., which raised US$100 million from investors including Microsoft last year. B.C. is also home to 1Qbit, the first dedicated quantum software company, and BTQ Technologies Corp., which provides quantum resistance, security and encryption solutions.

Researchers at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) in Canada have developed a quantum source intended for inclusion in the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) project. QEYSSat will test a communication method known as quantum key distribution and schedule to launch the quantum source next year. It will carry this small quantum source into space to transmit photons with polarization-encoded between the satellite and ground stations on Earth.

The UBC’s Blusson Quantum Matter Institute recently held the opening ceremony for its Quantum Materials Electron Microscopy Centre (QMEMC). The center aims to advance research and training in the field of quantum science and technology. Completed in May 2024, QMEMC received support totaling CAD 4.9 million from the Government of British Columbia and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.