Fully Operational Rigetti QPU Included in UK’s Recently Opened National Quantum Computer Centre

Rhea-AI Summary

Rigetti Computing announced that its fully operational 24-qubit Ankaa™-class quantum computer is now part of the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), which officially opened on October 25 at Harwell Campus. The system, awarded through a Small Business Research Initiative grant in February 2024, features tunable couplers and a square lattice for enhanced performance. The quantum computer will be available to NQCC researchers for testing, benchmarking, and applications development. Rigetti is also integrating Riverlane's technology with the aim of achieving large-scale error correction.

Positive

• Successfully delivered and installed a 24-qubit quantum computer at the prestigious NQCC facility
• Secured government contract through SBRI grant for system implementation
• Strategic partnership with Riverlane for error correction technology integration

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

The deployment of a 24-qubit Ankaa™-class system at the UK's NQCC represents a modest advancement in quantum computing infrastructure, but falls short of being a significant market catalyst for Rigetti. While the government contract validates Rigetti's technology, the small-scale implementation (24 qubits) and research-focused nature of the deployment limit immediate commercial impact. The integration with Riverlane's error correction technology shows technical promise but remains in early development stages. The SBRI grant, awarded in February 2024, likely provides revenue compared to Rigetti's overall financial needs.

This installation positions Rigetti in the UK's quantum ecosystem but doesn't materially change near-term business prospects. The focus on research applications rather than commercial deployment suggests minimal short-term revenue potential. For investors, while this demonstrates Rigetti's ability to secure government partnerships, it doesn't significantly alter the company's path to profitability or market position relative to quantum computing competitors.

The UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) officially opened the doors of its landmark facility on Harwell Campus on October 25. The state-of-the-art facility includes a fully operational 24-qubit Ankaa^™-class Rigetti system, which will be made available to NQCC researchers for testing, benchmarking, and exploratory applications development.

LONDON, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rigetti UK Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI) (“Rigetti” or the “Company”), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, today announced that the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) officially opened the doors of its landmark facility on Harwell Campus on October 25. The facility will support world-class quantum computing research and provide state-of-the-art laboratories for designing, building, and testing quantum computers. Rigetti’s system located at the NQCC is a fully operational 24-qubit Ankaa™-class quantum computer, featuring tunable couplers and a square lattice for fast gate times, enhanced connectivity, and high fidelity. As part of the implementation, Rigetti will be integrating Riverlane’s technology with the long-term objective of large-scale error correction.

In February 2024, Rigetti was awarded a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) grant delivered by Innovate UK and funded by the NQCC to deliver a quantum computing system based on the Company’s Ankaa-class architecture to the new facility. The 24-qubit system will be made available to NQCC researchers for testing, benchmarking, and exploratory applications development.

Rigetti CEO Dr. Subodh Kulkarni and CTO David Rivas attended the official inauguration to celebrate the milestone.

“The NQCC opening is a great occasion for both the UK and Rigetti. We are proud that Rigetti’s on-premises quantum computer is fully operational for the NQCC research team to pursue critical research to advance our understanding of how to use quantum computing to solve real-world problems,” says Rigetti CEO Dr. Subodh Kulkarni.

About Rigetti
Rigetti is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The Company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The Company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides high performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

Rigetti Computing Media Contact:
press@rigetti.com

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including but not limited to, expectations related to the Company’s 24-qubit Ankaa-class system operating at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, including the results of researchers testing, benchmarking and performing exploratory applications development on that system, and the SBRI grant to the Company from Innovate UK. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to achieve milestones, technological advancements, including with respect to its technology roadmap, help unlock quantum computing, and develop practical applications; the ability of the Company to obtain government contracts successfully and in a timely manner and the availability of government funding; the potential of quantum computing; the ability of the Company to expand its QPU sales; the success of the Company’s partnerships and collaborations; the Company’s ability to accelerate its development of multiple generations of quantum processors; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or others; the ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and attract and retain management and key employees; costs related to operating as a public company; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, or competitive factors; the Company’s estimates of expenses and profitability; the evolution of the markets in which the Company competes; the ability of the Company to implement its strategic initiatives, expansion plans and continue to innovate its existing services; the expected use of proceeds from the Company’s past and future financings or other capital; the sufficiency of the Company’s cash resources; unfavorable conditions in the Company’s industry, the global economy or global supply chain, including financial and credit market fluctuations and uncertainty, rising inflation and interest rates, disruptions in banking systems, increased costs, international trade relations, political turmoil, natural catastrophes, warfare (such as the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions and the state of war between Israel and Hamas and related threat of a larger conflict), and terrorist attacks; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. The Company does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

FAQ

What type of quantum computer did Rigetti (RGTI) install at the UK's NQCC?

Rigetti installed a 24-qubit Ankaa™-class quantum computer featuring tunable couplers and a square lattice for fast gate times, enhanced connectivity, and high fidelity.

When did the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) featuring Rigetti's (RGTI) system open?

The NQCC officially opened its facility at Harwell Campus on October 25, 2024.

What is the purpose of Rigetti's (RGTI) quantum computer at the NQCC?

The system will be used by NQCC researchers for testing, benchmarking, and exploratory applications development.