IonQ, a leading quantum computing company, has announced a major partnership with the University of Maryland and the State of Maryland to establish the region as the “Capital of Quantum.” This landmark initiative aims to generate over $1 billion in investments to transform Maryland into a quantum computing hub, comparable to Silicon Valley’s role in traditional computing.
At the heart of this partnership, IonQ plans to develop a quantum intelligence campus at the University of Maryland, College Park. Subject to Governor Wes Moore’s FY 2026 budget approval and available incentives, the company will expand its corporate headquarters to a 100,000 square feet facility within the university’s Discovery District. This expansion will include a data center, laboratories, and office space. IonQ has committed to doubling its Maryland workforce to at least 250 employees over the next five years, creating high-paying jobs across various fields including construction, software and hardware engineering, operations, applied physics, and networking.
The collaboration extends beyond infrastructure development. IonQ and the University of Maryland will work together to advance quantum computing and networking technologies, with a particular focus on developing the ultra-secure Quantum Internet. They also plan to create educational materials for Maryland high school students interested in quantum technologies.
The initiative has strong backing from key stakeholders. IonQ’s CEO Peter Chapman emphasized that investing in quantum computing is investing in Maryland’s future, while Governor Wes Moore highlighted quantum information science’s potential to transform various sectors, from national security to healthcare. The governor pointed to Maryland’s unique advantages, including its wealth of talent, federal partners, and world-class research universities.
The partnership builds on existing strong ties between IonQ and the University of Maryland. The university has been a pioneer in quantum technologies with over 35 years of research experience, and IonQ itself began as a startup within the university’s Discovery District. Now a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange with over 400 employees worldwide, IonQ’s expanded presence will strengthen its ability to pursue government contracts, leveraging its proximity to both Washington, D.C., and Annapolis.
University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines expressed gratitude for Governor Moore’s investment, emphasizing the initiative’s potential to create lasting benefits for all Marylanders and position the region as a global leader in quantum technology.
The press release can be read there.
