Lightsynq — vendor dossier

Lightsynq

Quantum memoryNetworking
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Quantum-memory and photonic-interconnect company spun out of Harvard's Lukin group and the AWS Center for Quantum Networking, commercialising silicon-vacancy (SiV) colour-centre memory nodes in diamond nanophotonic cavities — the architecture behind the Knaut et al. 2024 Boston-area quantum-network demonstration. Founded in early 2024; came out of stealth in November 2024 with a USD 18M Series A led by Cerberus Ventures, with Murata Electronics and In-Q-Tel participating. Acquired by IonQ on 30 May 2025 for approximately USD 306.8M in IonQ stock; now operates as the SiV-memory / photonic-interconnect business line within IonQ's networking roadmap. CEO Mihir Bhaskar is IonQ SVP of R&D.

HQ
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Founded
2024
Status
acquired
Parent
ionq
Last verified
Wed May 20 2026 08:00:00 GMT+0800 (Singapore Standard Time)

Timeline

202420252026202720282029today
2024
Founded by Mihir Bhaskar (CEO), Bart Machielse (CTO), and David Levonian (CPO) — Harvard / AWS Center for Quantum Networking alumni, commercialising Knaut-et-al.-style SiV memory architecture
2024-11
Emerges from stealth with USD 18M Series A led by Cerberus Ventures; Murata Electronics and In-Q-Tel participate
2025-05-30
Acquired by IonQ for ~USD 306.8M in IonQ stock (>12.3M shares); adds 20+ quantum-memory patents to IonQ's portfolio and accelerates IonQ's quantum-networking roadmap
shipped milestone public roadmap

Current flagship

SiV nanophotonic quantum memory (within IonQ) — pre-product; IonQ networking integration in progress

Milestones

  1. 2025-05-30
    Acquired by IonQ for ~USD 306.8M in IonQ stock (>12.3M shares); adds 20+ quantum-memory patents to IonQ's portfolio and accelerates IonQ's quantum-networking roadmap
    Quantum memory press source ↗
  2. 2024-11
    Emerges from stealth with USD 18M Series A led by Cerberus Ventures; Murata Electronics and In-Q-Tel participate
    Quantum memory press source ↗
  3. 2024
    Founded by Mihir Bhaskar (CEO), Bart Machielse (CTO), and David Levonian (CPO) — Harvard / AWS Center for Quantum Networking alumni, commercialising Knaut-et-al.-style SiV memory architecture
    Quantum memory press source ↗

Roadmap

No public roadmap recorded.

Capability details

Quantum memory

Platform
siv
Storage time
—
Retrieval efficiency
—
Fidelity
—
Wavelength
737 nm
Mode capacity
—

Networking

Role
memory-node
Products
SiV-cavity quantum-memory module (pre-product)
8 unverified fields
  • modalities.memory.storage_time_ms
  • modalities.memory.retrieval_efficiency
  • modalities.memory.fidelity
  • modalities.memory.mode_capacity
  • modalities.memory.wavelength_nm — 737 nm is the SiV zero-phonon line; the Lightsynq architecture operates with frequency conversion to telecom for fibre links per Knaut 2024. Vendor product spec not directly available.
  • revenue
  • headcount
  • roadmap — Post-acquisition roadmap is folded into IonQ's networking plan; no standalone Lightsynq roadmap published.

People

  • Mihir Bhaskar — CEO & Co-founder (now IonQ SVP R&D) (since 2024) ↗
  • Bart Machielse — CTO & Co-founder (since 2024) ↗
  • David Levonian — CPO & Co-founder (since 2024) ↗

References