Software startup deploys Singapore’s first quantum computer for commercial use
At Horizon Quantum’s office in Singapore on 3 December 2025. The software firm claimed to be the first private company to use a commercial quantum computer in the city-state.
Sha Ying | CNBC International
Singapore-based software firm Horizon Quantum said on Wednesday it had become the first private company in the city-state to run a quantum computer for commercial use, marking a milestone ahead of its plans to list in the United States.
The startup, founded in 2018 by quantum researcher Joe Fitzsimons, said the machine is now fully operational. Maybell Quantum integrates components from quantum computing vendors including Quantum Machines and. Rigetti Computer.
According to Horizon Quantum, the new computer also makes it the first pure-play quantum software company to have its own quantum computer; hopes that this integration will help advance the promising technology.
“Our focus is to help developers start using quantum computers to do real-world work,” CEO Fitzsimons told CNBC. “How do we take full advantage of these systems? How can we program them?”
Horizon Quantum creates the software tools and infrastructure needed to power applications for quantum computing systems.
“Even though we’re very focused on the software side, it’s really important to understand how the stack works down to the physical level… that’s why we have a test environment right now,” Fitzsimons said.
quantum race
Horizon Quantum hopes to use its new hardware to accelerate the development of real-world quantum applications in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to finance.
Quantum systems aim to tackle problems that are too complex for traditional machines by leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics.
For example, designing new drugs that require simulating molecular interactions or running millions of scenarios to assess portfolio risk can be slow and computationally costly for traditional machines. Quantum computing is expected to deliver faster, more accurate models to overcome these problems.
A senior executive at Google is working on quantum computers He told CNBC in March that he believes the technology is just five years away from running practical applications.
Yet today’s quantum systems are still in development and pose many engineering and programming challenges.
But investment in space is on the rise, with major tech companies reporting technological breakthroughs. Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon And IBM’sIt, along with the US government, is already pouring millions into quantum computing.
Investors’ attention increased in June as well Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made optimistic statements, saying quantum computing is approaching a “turning point” and practical uses may emerge sooner than he expects.
Nasdaq listing
Horizon Quantum’s announcement came ahead of the merger dMY Squared Technology Group Inc.a special purpose acquisition company. The deal, agreed in September, aims to take Horizon public on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “HQ”.
The software firm said in September: It was stated that the transaction values the company at approximately $503 million and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
Quantum computer launch also helps consolidate Singapore passion To become a regional quantum computing center. The city-state has been investing heavily in technology for years and established its first quantum research center in 2007.
Before Horizon Quantum’s system came online, Singapore reportedly There was a quantum computer used primarily for research purposes. Meanwhile, US-based company Quantinuum also plans to: Commissioning of another commercial system in 2026.
Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy, announced in May 2024 300 million Singapore dollars in five years Expanding the industry, with a significant portion directed towards the creation of local quantum computer processors.
In May 2024, the National Quantum Strategy (NQS), Singapore’s national quantum initiative, committed to: Approximately S$300 million over five years Strengthening the development in the sector, a significant part of which will be directed to the creation of local quantum computer processors.
