DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is expanding its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI). This program aims to assess and validate the progress of quantum computing companies and offer them a chance to showcase their technology to experts, investors, and government agencies.
Rigetti (RGTI) has already taken part in DARPA’s initiative since 2022, completing Phase 1 in March 2022 and advancing to Phase 2 in November 2023, which will finish by March 2025. IonQ (IONQ) has also played an important role in the QBI program, working with a DARPA Quantum Benchmarking team led by Zapata Computing. IonQ is the only partner in this long-term project that builds quantum hardware. Now, Microsoft (MSFT) has joined the program along with Psiquantum.
What Is the QBI Initiative?
The Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) aims to test and validate quantum computers and see if they can be built faster than expected. DARPA decided to expand QBI after realizing that more companies than expected have viable plans for practical quantum computers.
This expansion could reshape the industry in several ways. Companies that pass QBI’s evaluations will gain independent validation of their quantum technology, making them more credible to investors, industry peers, and potential customers. Over 50 industry, government, and scientific experts will evaluate the participating companies, helping them refine their approaches and address technical challenges. Advancing through the QBI program could attract more government contracts and private investments, putting companies ahead of competitors.
The feedback process can help companies fine-tune their research and development, speeding up their path to practical quantum computing solutions. Companies that perform well may gain further collaboration opportunities with government agencies, potentially securing defense and research contracts.
It’s Not About One Company’s Success
As discussed above, among the companies already advancing in the extended QBI program are Microsoft (MSFT) and PsiQuantum, which moved to the prestigious Stage C and secured long-term contracts. With DARPA opening the door to more participants, new players with strong quantum computing capabilities could emerge as future frontrunners.
It’s key the underline that DARPA’s QBI isn’t just about individual companies; it’s about determining whether an industrially useful quantum computer can be built by 2033. The program evaluates which organizations have the best chance of achieving this breakthrough within the next decade.
In short, DARPA’s move to expand QBI is a game-changer, bringing quantum computing one step closer to reality.