Canada Gains Access to Pasqal Quantum Systems via PINQ²

Insider Brief

• PINQ² has become the exclusive Canadian distributor of Pasqal’s neutral atom quantum computing technology through a partnership enabled by DistriQ.
• The agreement provides access to Pasqal’s Orion Alpha QPU via PINQ²’s hybrid platform, combining neutral atom, superconducting, and classical HPC systems.
• The platform aims to support real-world applications in sectors such as energy, finance, aerospace, and materials science starting April 2026.

PRESS RELEASE — PINQ² (Digital and Quantum Innovation Platform) today announced it has become the exclusive Canadian distributor of Pasqal’s neutral atom quantum computing technology. The partnership, enabled by DistriQ’s purchase of a 100-qubit quantum processing unit from Pasqal, makes PINQ² Canada’s only not-for-profit platform combining IBM superconducting and Pasqal neutral atom quantum technologies with classical HPC infrastructure – enabling the hybrid quantum-classical workflows that most real-world research and commercial applications require. 

Pasqal’s Orion Alpha quantum processing unit (QPU), housed at DistriQ’s Espace Quantique 1, is now accessible to Canadian researchers and enterprises through the PINQ² platform. Pasqal’s neutral atom technology is particularly well suited to optimization and simulation problems in sectors such as energy, finance, aerospace, and materials science — use cases where analog quantum computing has demonstrated results internationally. 

“Quantum computing is not one-size-fits-all — different hardware architectures are better suited to different types of problems. What excites me about this partnership is that Canadian researchers and enterprises can now explore both approaches on a single platform, alongside classical computing, and let their problem guide the choice rather than the other way around. That’s what it means to make quantum innovation genuinely accessible.”— Marie-Claude Messier, General Manager, PINQ² 

Pasqal is a global leader in neutral atom quantum computing, with deployments and research partnerships across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. PINQ²’s exclusive distribution agreement covers the Canadian market, with the Orion Alpha QPU at DistriQ’s Espace Quantique 1 serving as the physical foundation for the offering. 

“Canada has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic quantum ecosystems, and Sherbrooke is at its heart. Partnering with PINQ² as our exclusive Canadian distributor is a natural next step. It gives Canadian researchers and enterprises direct access to neutral atom quantum computing within a world-class hybrid platform. We believe the combination of Pasqal’s technology with PINQ²’s infrastructure and expertise will accelerate the path from quantum experimentation to real industrial impact.” — Wasiq Bokhari, CEO, Pasqal  

DistriQ, Quantum Innovation Zone is the builder of the quantum community of Quebec accelerating the development of a world-class quantum hub that attracts talent and companies of international caliber. DistriQ’s purchase of the Pasqal Orion Alpha QPU at Espace Quantique 1 is the foundation that makes this offering possible for Canadian users.  

“The Orion Alpha system we acquired from Pasqal Canada is the first quantum computer manufactured in Sherbrooke, marking an important milestone for our region. By partnering with PINQ², we are ensuring this investment strengthens and serves the quantum community DistriQ is building.”  — Michel Pioro-Ladrière, Executive Director, DistriQ

Exclusive Quote

“One of the biggest barriers to quantum adoption isn’t access to hardware – it’s knowing where to start. With this partnership, we’re not just adding a second quantum technology to our platform; we’re giving Canadian enterprises a trusted entry point into the quantum era. At PINQ², our advisory services are designed to meet organizations where they are, help them identify the right use cases, and guide them through every step of their adoption journey – in close collaboration with scientists from universities, research centres, and Quebec and Canadian startups who are pushing the boundaries of what quantum can do. Neutral atom computing opens entirely new possibilities for optimization and simulation, and we’re here to make sure Canadian businesses don’t just witness this revolution, they lead it.” — Marie-Claude Messier, General Manager, PINQ² 

Availability 

Canadian researchers and enterprises can access Pasqal’s Orion Alpha QPU through the PINQ² Advanced Hybrid Platform (AHP) starting April 2026, alongside IBM’s Quantum System One, with expert support to help match problems to the right hardware and make the most of both technologies. The offering is available for academic users, industry, and formal collaborative research programs. For more information: pinq2.com.