Rigetti Computing and Montana State University Collaborate on Quantum Research and Innovation

Rigetti Computing and Montana State University have announced a collaboration to advance quantum computing research and innovation. The collaboration includes a 9-qubit Novera QPU at QCORE, MSU's new research and innovation center. Rigetti will support QCORE with strategic and technical input, workforce training, and regional talent development, among other initiatives. The collaboration aims to advance quantum hardware and hybrid quantum systems, and promote workforce development.

Rigetti Computing, Inc., a leader in full-stack quantum-classical computing, has announced a strategic partnership with Montana State University (MSU) to advance quantum computing research and innovation. The collaboration, marked by the grand opening of QCORE, MSU's new research and innovation center, is a significant milestone in the development of quantum technologies.

The center features a 9-qubit Novera QPU, a quantum processing unit based on Rigetti’s Ankaa-class architecture. This unit, manufactured in Rigetti’s Fab-1, is designed to support research and development in quantum computing and hybrid quantum systems. The Novera QPU is notable for its tunable couplers and square lattice, which enable dense connectivity and fast two-qubit operations [1].

Rigetti will support QCORE with various initiatives, including strategic and technical input on research and program development, workforce training opportunities, and regional talent development. The collaboration aims to advance quantum hardware and hybrid quantum systems, as well as promote workforce development. This partnership underscores the importance of public-private collaborations in advancing next-generation quantum technologies [2].

The collaboration between Rigetti and MSU also extends to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), where Rigetti's Novera QPU serves as a testbed for quantum computing research and development. This collaboration leverages industry fabrication and manufacturing capabilities to develop customized quantum systems for research and development in quantum networking hardware [1].

The Novera QPU is a high-performance, on-premises QPU designed to integrate with existing cryogenic and control systems. Rigetti’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides high-performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing. The company has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems, further enhancing its capabilities in the quantum computing landscape [1].

Rigetti's collaboration with MSU and AFRL is part of its broader strategy to support quantum computing research and innovation. The company has been operating quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and began selling on-premises quantum computing systems in 2021. Rigetti’s 9-qubit Novera QPU was introduced in 2023 to support a broader R&D community with high-performance, on-premises QPUs [1].

The collaboration between Rigetti and MSU is expected to drive research and innovation benefiting Montanans and people around the world. Montana is poised to become a leader in producing the enabling technology and critical components of quantum systems, thanks to access to cutting-edge quantum computing resources [2].

References:
[1] https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/rigetti-provides-on-prem-quantum-computer-for-montana-states-new-qcore-facility/
[2] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/20/3136344/0/en/Rigetti-Computing-and-Montana-State-University-Collaborate-to-Advance-Quantum-Research-and-Innovation.html