CU Boulder and IonQ explore the next frontier of quantum innovation
Chris Gustavson, Executive Director of Industry Research Partnerships at CU Boulder, hosts the IonQ leadership team on campus.
May 2026 marked an exciting milestone for Colorado’s growing quantum ecosystem as IonQ celebrated the opening of its new Boulder facility. The investment underscores Boulder’s emergence as a global hub for quantum innovation, bringing together world-class research institutions, pioneering startups, and industry leaders working to advance the next generation of computing, sensing and networking technologies.
Following the ribbon-cutting celebration, CU Boulder welcomed IonQ’s leadership team to campus for a strategic discussion focused on future collaboration opportunities. The conversation highlighted the strong alignment between IonQ’s industry-leading quantum computing capabilities and CU Boulder’s deep expertise across quantum science and engineering. As one of the world’s leading quantum computing companies, IonQ is recognized for its trapped-ion technology, high-performance quantum systems, and commitment to accelerating the commercialization of quantum solutions across industries.
"Sessions like this remind me why Boulder has become one of the most exciting places in the world for quantum innovation," said Chris Gustavson, Executive Director of Industry Research Partnerships at CU Boulder. "Bringing together IonQ's incredible team and CU Boulder's world-class researchers creates the kind of energy and collaboration that can move an entire industry forward through the application of quantum."
CU Boulder is uniquely positioned to help drive the future of quantum innovation. Home to Nobel Prize-winning research, the nationally recognized CUbit Quantum Initiative, JILA, and leading programs in quantum information science, photonics, and precision measurement, the university has long been at the forefront of quantum discovery. Through partnerships like this, CU Boulder continues to connect groundbreaking research, exceptional talent, and industry leadership to help shape the future of the quantum economy in Colorado and beyond.
For more information on quantum at CU Boulder, please visit the or connect with the Industry Research Partnerships team.