Qubitekk
Quantum-networking hardware company founded in 2012 in Vista, California, commercialising entangled-photon-pair sources and associated quantum network equipment — photon-pair sources, single-photon detectors, fibre-optic switches, and correlated-timing hardware — under the Bohr product line. Supplied the entanglement-distribution infrastructure for the EPB Quantum Network in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the first commercially available quantum network in the United States (launched November 2022). Accumulated a portfolio of 118 U.S. and international patents in quantum networking hardware and quantum network security. Acquired by IonQ on 6 January 2025 for USD 22M; operates as IonQ's quantum-networking hardware business line, with the team and patent portfolio integrated into IonQ's networking roadmap.
Timeline
Current flagship
Bohr-IV Metro Quantum Network — integrated entangled-photon-pair source + single-photon detectors + fibre switches + timing hardware (within IonQ)
Milestones
- 2025-01-06IonQ completes acquisition of substantially all Qubitekk assets for USD 22M; team of physicists, engineers, and software developers — including co-founders Stan Ellis and Duncan Earl — joins IonQ, adding 118 U.S. and international patents to IonQ's networking portfolio
- 2024-12Awarded USD 21M SBIR Phase III contract by the US Air Force Research Laboratory for quantum networking R&D to establish secure and robust communications systems
- 2024-11-06IonQ announces definitive agreement to acquire substantially all Qubitekk assets; transaction anticipated to close within six months
- 2023-12Qubitekk and Qunnect demonstrate first quantum networking equipment interoperability on a commercial network — Qunnect's QU-APC polarisation stabiliser validated against Qubitekk's entangled-photon source on EPB Quantum Network (Dec 4–6, 2023)
- 2023-09EPB Quantum Network and Aliro Quantum unveil quantum network controller integration at Quantum World Congress; Qubitekk Bohr-IV hardware operates as the entanglement layer under Aliro's software-defined network orchestration
- 2022-11EPB Quantum Network powered by Qubitekk launches in Chattanooga, TN — the first commercially available quantum network in the United States; Bohr-IV integrated quantum network equipment provides entangled-photon sources, single-photon detectors, fibre-optic switches, and quantum-as-a-service access
- 2021QED (Quantum Ensured Defense of the Smart Electric Grid) project wins R&D 100 Award; collaboration with ORNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and EPB applying quantum entanglement to protect power-grid control signals — Qubitekk as industry partner
- 2016Launches QED: Quantum Ensured Defense of the Smart Electric Grid initiative in partnership with EPB, ORNL, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, applying quantum key distribution to utility grid automation signals
- 2014Receives USD 3M DOE Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems (CEDS) grant; partners with ORNL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin, Sandia National Laboratory, and Pacific Gas & Electric to develop quantum encryption for power grid protection
- 2012Company founded by Stan Ellis and Duncan Earl in Vista, California, to commercialise quantum-optic-based cybersecurity solutions for electric-grid automation equipment; backed by Ellis Energy Investments
Roadmap
No public roadmap recorded.
Capability details
Networking
- Role
- testbed
- Products
- Bohr-IV Metro Quantum Network, Quantum Network Essentials
9 unverified fields
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modalities.source-detect.detection_efficiency -
modalities.source-detect.dark_count_hz -
modalities.source-detect.jitter_ps -
modalities.source-detect.role— Bohr-IV integrates both source and detection hardware per product descriptions; formal source/detect split per CLAUDE.md enum listed as source (primary product identity). Peer-reviewed spec sheet not available. -
current_flagship— Bohr-IV is the last publicly named product generation; post-acquisition roadmap is folded into IonQ's networking plan and no updated Qubitekk product spec has been published. -
key_personnel.0.since— 2012 is the founding year; exact date each officer joined in their named role is not published in available sources. -
key_personnel.2.since— Exact start year as President not published; 2012 is the founding year used as a proxy. -
key_personnel.3.since— Exact start year as CRO not published; 2012 is the founding year used as a proxy. -
roadmap
People
References
- press https://www.ionq.com/news/ionq-completes-acquisition-of-qubitekk-solidifying-leadership-in-quantum IonQ acquisition close (6 January 2025)
- filing https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001824920/000095017024122264/ionq-ex99_1.htm IonQ Form 8-K (FY2024) — definitive agreement to acquire Qubitekk assets
- press https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epb-and-qubitekk-launch-commercial-quantum-network-to-accelerate-development-and-adoption-of-quantum-products-301690778.html EPB Quantum Network launch, November 2022 — first commercially available quantum network in the United States
- press https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quantum-technology-pioneers-qubitekk-and-qunnect-achieve-first-equipment-interoperability-on-epb-quantum-network-powered-by-qubitekk-302019186.html Qubitekk–Qunnect interoperability demonstration on EPB Quantum Network (December 2023)
- press https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qubitekk-to-receive-federal-funding-to-help-protect-nations-power-grid-from-cyber-attack-272714421.html DOE CEDS USD 3M grant announcement (2014)