KISTI Secures Funding for National Quantum Center of Excellence; Names IonQ as Primary Quantum Partner

IonQ’s next-generation quantum system to support new research and cloud infrastructure in South Korea

COLLEGE PARK, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today extended its congratulations to the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) on securing a multi-million dollar government award through the “Quantum Computing Service and Utilization System Construction Project.” This initiative marks a pivotal step toward establishing South Korea’s first National Quantum Computing Center of Excellence.

KISTI will lead the development and operation of a quantum computing service and research platform designed to support both academic and enterprise applications. KISTI has identified IonQ as the primary quantum technology provider for the project, alongside Megazone Cloud, one of South Korea’s leading cloud service and infrastructure providers.

Under an expected contract to be concluded with KISTI, IonQ expects to deliver an advanced 100-qubit quantum system for the initiative, to enable leading edge research and industrially relevant quantum computing capabilities. Together, IonQ and KISTI intend to develop a hybrid quantum-classical execution environment, integrating next-generation quantum systems into a private cloud for remote access.

“We will be honored to support KISTI’s pioneering efforts to establish a world-leading quantum service infrastructure in Korea,” said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. “This project is a significant investment in Korea’s research and innovation ecosystem, and we are proud to have been identified by KISTI to provide the technology and expertise to help realize its full potential.”

“Thanks to the partnership with IonQ, we expect to accumulate experience in the operation, service, and utilization of quantum platforms nationwide,” said Dr. Sik Lee, KISTI President. “We will also strive to contribute to the development of quantum computer utilization research and the industrial ecosystem in Korea.”

This announcement builds on IonQ and KISTI’s ongoing collaboration, including a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly advance South Korea’s leadership in the global quantum economy. IonQ also continues to expand its footprint in the region through its work with Hyundai, SKT, Intellian Technologies and leading academic institutions such as Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking also positions the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

The company’s innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In’s 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.

IonQ Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words “will,” “expected,” “expects,” “intend to,” “continues” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to IonQ’s delivery of quantum computing capabilities for the referenced project; IonQ’s and KISTI’s expected work together on the project; KISTI and IonQ entering into a binding agreement related to the referenced project; the expected benefits of IonQ’s quantum computing capabilities; and KISTI and IonQ entering into a binding contract related to the referenced project. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ’s ability to implement its technical roadmap; changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ’s ability to deliver, and customers’ ability to generate, value from IonQ’s offerings; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ’s and its suppliers’ businesses; IonQ’s ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ’s ability to effectively enter new markets; IonQ’s ability to deliver services and products within currently anticipated timelines; IonQ’s inability to attract and retain key personnel. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s filings, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of IonQ’s most recent periodic financial report (10-Q or 10-K) filed by IonQ with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. IonQ may or may not choose to practice or otherwise use the inventions described in the issued patents in the future.