Finnish IQM Quantum Computers secures major US research lab contract
IQM Quantum Computers to deliver first on-premises quantum system to Oak Ridge National Laboratory in groundbreaking integration with supercomputing infrastructure.
Text: Martti Asikainen, 19.8.2025 Photo: IQM Quantum Computers
Finnish quantum computing company IQM has secured a significant contract to supply Oak Ridge National Laboratory with its first-ever purchased on-premises quantum computer, marking a major milestone in the integration of quantum and classical computing systems.
The deal will see IQM deliver its Radiance quantum computer – a 20-qubit system based on superconducting technology – to the prestigious US Department of Energy research facility by the third quarter of 2025. The quantum computer will be integrated directly into Oak Ridge’s high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure, representing a crucial step towards hybrid quantum-classical computing applications.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with an annual budget exceeding $2.4bn, is one of America’s premier research institutions, renowned for its work in nuclear power and supercomputing. The laboratory has been at the forefront of quantum-HPC integration efforts within the research community for years.
“ORNL has a decades-long history in high-performance computing and is today one of the leading research institutions in the US for quantum computing,” said Dr Travis Humble, advisor to Oak Ridge’s Quantum Computing User Program and director of the Quantum Science Center.
The on-premises installation will provide researchers with hands-on access to cutting-edge quantum technology as they explore early quantum advantage applications.
Finnish quantum success story
For IQM, the contract represents validation of the commercial viability of quantum computing technology. “This further proves that quantum computers are already today highly useful and in demand,” said Dr Mikko Välimäki, co-CEO of IQM Quantum Computers. Finnish company sees the deal as evidence that quantum systems have moved beyond experimental curiosity to practical research tools.
IQM, founded in 2018 as a joint project between VTT Technical Research Centre and Aalto University, has emerged as a significant player in the global quantum computing sector. Based in Espoo, IQM manufactures superconducting quantum computer cores and has raised over $271m across eight funding rounds, according to industry data.
IQM’s expansion into the US market reflects the increasingly international nature of quantum computing development. The company now operates across multiple continents, with a presence in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain, Singapore, South Korea and the United States, employing over 300 staff globally.
The Oak Ridge installation follows the laboratory’s earlier adoption of IQM’s cloud-based Resonance platform through its Quantum Computing User Program. The move to on-premises hardware represents a deeper commitment to quantum-classical hybrid computing research.
Industry maturity and broader implications
Dr Jan Goetz, co-founder and co-CEO of IQM, outlined ambitious collaboration goals with Oak Ridge researchers in areas including fluid dynamics, particle physics and electronic structure simulations. These applications could potentially unlock computational capabilities beyond what classical supercomputers can achieve alone.
The IQM Radiance system is designed to be upgradeable to higher qubit counts in future, suggesting a long-term partnership between the Finnish company and the US research facility. Research-grade quantum computers typically cost millions of euros, representing substantial investments in emerging technology.
The deal highlights the growing maturity of the quantum computing sector, with practical applications beginning to emerge from what was once purely theoretical research. As quantum systems become more reliable and accessible, major research institutions are investing in hybrid computing approaches that combine the strengths of both quantum and classical systems.
For Finland’s technology sector, IQM’s success represents a notable achievement in an area dominated by tech giants and well-funded startups from larger economies. The company’s ability to compete globally in quantum computing demonstrates the strength of Nordic innovation in advanced technology sectors.
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