Dean Acosta

$IONQ The market is sleeping on this draft executive order. The White House (along with the DOE, DOD, and Commerce Department) are about to throw their weight behind a new national quantum champion, and I believe it’s clear they have already chosen IONQ. Here’s why: 1. Creation of QCSAD: The primary focus of the Executive Order will create a new “Genesis” style national effort to deliver at least one large-scale Quantum Computer for Scientific Applications (the “QCSAD”). The QCSAD will be built at a DOE facility in collaboration with commercial partners. To deliver this QCSAD, (1) the DOE will engage with private sector partners to expedite delivery, (2) the Commerce department will invest in commercial quantum companies to “de-risk” their technologies, and (3) a new Center of Excellence will be created within 180 days (by the DOD, DOE, and Commerce) to assess the QCSADs capabilities. 2. Which company will the White House (and federal agencies) choose to build this QCSAD? Let’s first take a look at the rest of the priorities outlined in the Executive Order: Quantum Sensors and Quantum Networking: The order treats these technologies as foundational to a future distributed quantum computing environment, in which multiple systems and sensors will be connected and coordinated; Manufacturing: The order calls for coordination among OSTP, ODNI, Commerce, Energy and the Pentagon to ensure that manufacturing capacity, infrastructure, technical expertise and related capabilities are aligned; Counterintelligence: The proposal emphasizes counterintelligence protections (protecting sensitive quantum know-how from espionage and misuse) for quantum research; Strong Domestic Workforce and International Partnerships: The final two sections are devoted to cultivating a strong domestic workforce (via the engagement of academic partners) and treats international partnerships as a strategic priority. 3. Capabilities. IONQ is the ONLY quantum company capable of delivering a fault tolerant quantum computer in the near term, and for the past six months they have systematically aligned themselves with every single priority outlined by the White House. Let’s take a look at each category: Technical Capability and Roadmap: IONQ is the ONLY company capable of delivering a fault tolerant computer within the next few years. IONQ is projecting 200K physical qubits by 2028, while its nearest competitor is projecting 10K. Quantum Sensors and Quantum Networking: IONQ is the only quantum company with capabilities in all three quantum verticals due to these recent acquisitions: ID Quantique (Networking / QKD), Qubitek (Networking), Lightsynq (Networking / Memory), Capella Space (Networking + SAR), Skyloom Global (Networking), Vector Atomics (Sensors). They are also the only quantum company with connections to the Golden Project due to its networking and sensing expertise. Manufacturing: IONQ just acquired Skywater Technology, the only US owned DMEA accredited technology foundry to create the only vertically integrated full-stake quantum platform. This specifically aligns IONQ’s expertise with Skywater’ s manufacturing capabilities. Skywater Technologies has deep connections to the DOW, and has been a long time partner to companies like DWAVE and PSI Quantum. They would not have taken this deal without DOW support, and if they weren’t confident in their ability to scale IONQ’s architecture. Counterintelligence: IONQ is the only quantum company with senior leadership that is deeply embedded within the intelligence community (Rick Muller, Robert Cardillo, Dean Acosta, Gen. John Raymon, Craig Miller, and Katie Arrington, the former CIO at the Department of War who was just hired to oversee the protection of IONQ’s assets and supply chains. There is no one more qualified for this role, and as Katie recently stated “Big things are coming for IONQ…youll be seeing some stuff in the coming days and weeks that are really going to blow your mind”. Strong Domestic Workforce and International Partnerships: IONQ’s national and internal ecosystem is unmatched. Recent deals such as the $100M IP sharing agreement with the University of Chicago (the #1 academic institution for quantum in the US), and longstanding history with UMD and Duke make it clear no one else in the industry has done more to support a domestic workforce. In addition, IONQ already has an existing international footprint and partnerships with key trusted allies (such as the UK, South Korea, Italy, Switzerland, and Sweden). 4. Conclusion: Big things are coming for IONQ.

$IONQ Top talent within the defense and intelligence community are not only choosing to join IONQ, but they are often leaving elite, high status positions to do so. These are some of IONQ's new hires for those who haven't been following: Rick Muller - SVP, Federal Technical and Government Customer Engagement Lead. Resigned as the sitting Director at the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), to join IONQ. Also held senior positions at Sandia National Laboratories. Robert Cardillo - Executive Chairman, IONQ Federal, was previously 6th director for National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and served as national intelligence advisor to President Obama. Only person to lead operations at four different Intelligence Community organizations - ODNI, DIA, NGA and the Joint Staff. First non-advisory role since leaving the NGA. Dean Acosta - Chief of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations. Resigned as SVP and CCO at Lockheed Martin to join IONQ. John W. "Jay" Raymond - Board of Directors, IONQ. Over his almost 40-year military career, General Raymond has held key leadership positions at every level across nuclear, space, air, and cyber operations. His leadership roles included command of the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron, 30th Operations Group, 21st Space Wing, 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command, Joint Forces Space Component Command, and United States Space Command. Craig Miller, Senior Staff, IONQ Federal, Experienced Commander and Staff Officer with deep experience across intelligence, cybersecurity, and defense technology, including a distinguished U.S. Air Force career supporting Special Operations Forces and command experience with the NSA. Katie Arrington, Chief Information Officer. Resigned as CIO at the Department of War to join IONQ. Also a former state legislator and a longtime member of the defense innovation ecosystem.