The company, founded in 2018, builds software infrastructure that aims to empower developers to use quantum computing to solve computational problems.

Irish-founded computing company Horizon Quantum has chosen Dublin as the site for establishing a testbed for its planned second quantum computer.

The company said locating the ‘IonQ’ 256-qubit system at its European headquarters would benefit the company and the country, noting “Ireland’s growing quantum ecosystem, strong university network and robust talent pool for deep-tech development, both within the country and across the EU”, and predicting that the installation of the “frontier system” would be a “significant technology milestone for the nation, positioning Ireland to play an increasingly prominent role in frontier quantum computing”.

Horizon Quantum, founded in 2018, builds software infrastructure that aims to empower developers to use quantum computing to solve computational problems. It said that IonQ’s sixth-generation, chip-based 256-qubit trapped-ion system could be among the most sophisticated quantum computers in the world.

“Expanding our hardware testbed to Ireland with the addition of a frontier system is a significant step forward for both our company in our mission to unlock broad quantum advantage and for the country in strengthening its quantum ecosystem,” said Horizon Quantum CEO and founder Dr Joe Fitzsimons.

“We are excited to extend our testbed capabilities to include a trapped-ion system by deploying this state-of-the-art quantum computer in Dublin.”

To oversee the establishment and management of its second quantum system, Horizon Quantum, which is based in Singapore, said it plans to expand its Irish-based science and engineering teams, and deepen engagement with Ireland’s quantum ecosystem through increased involvement with industry, academia and the local supply chain.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD said: “The establishment of one of the most advanced commercial quantum systems here is an important milestone that will support innovation, collaboration and economic growth, while further enhancing Ireland’s ambition to be a global hub for cutting-edge technologies.

“This also aligns with our strategic focus in Silicon Island – Ireland’s national semiconductor strategy – on harnessing opportunities in rapidly evolving fields, including quantum technologies.”

The company assembled and integrated the first quantum system in its hardware testbed, a multi-vendor superconducting system, at its Singapore headquarters in 2025.

It said that the expansion of its testbed facilities to its European headquarters with a “second, technologically distinct system” will help further its goal of delivering the “most capable hardware-agnostic tools for quantum software development”.

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said: “Quantum development is an important strategic priority for IDA Ireland, and this announcement is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s growing technology ecosystem, our research capabilities and the talent available here.

“Horizon Quantum’s decision to invest in Ireland further strengthens our position in frontier technologies and will help support continued innovation and collaboration across the quantum sector.”

The company began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange in March.

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