Overview of Quantum Technology Landscape: QxBranch. Presented by Paul Guthrie

The back-story of QxBranch grounds and how the company established itself as a quantum computing software leader.

QxBranch is advanced data analytics for finance, insurance, aerospace, and security customers worldwide.

Before forming QxBranch in late 2014, its co-founders had started basic work in quantum computing since 2012, through existing relationship with Lockheed Martin. The US defence and aerospace giant initiated a unique partnership around a new quantum machine it was experimenting with to accelerate global quantum computing acitvities. This opportunity fell in line with complex data analytics projects the cofounders had been working at that time, and gave a birth to what today is known as QxBranch.  

Quantum Computing particularly was perfectly aligned with two classes of existing capabilities of the founding team. The team in Australia contributed exceptional skills in software development, data analytics and early stage complex systems engineering, which it was harnessing during work at large-scale tech-heavy projects like, e.g. designing submarines. The team in Washington D.C., where company’s HQ is currently located, had a long history working with NASA and US Military on strategic projects that focused on infusing new capabilities (mainly technological ones) into large organisations, and mapping out these investments according to 10-20 years trajectories to prevent organisational shock. This knowledge in complex software development coupled with strategic awareness of how Quantum technology will roll into the future market set a clear course for the company from the very start.

At the very beginning the founders made few critical strategic decisions. At first, they decided the company should stay hardware-agnostic, which will allow to analyse the wave of hardware providers in the future and partner with a technology leader. Also, it will allow to understand different development trajectories and trends and invest into the best available capabilities. Another decision is to deliver real results to real customers. Developing a discipline of a company that is used to dealing with clients and is customer-oriented will be especially important when the quantum technology starts to actively roll out and the battle for customers will harden as a result.

Right now the company focuses on advanced, high-velocity data analytics often used in complex systems, such as asset management firms looking at market data, social media feeds for decision making-processes, and insurance.  

In the meantime, in partnership with a investment bank, QxBranch organized an all-day Hackathon to build awareness about the potential of quantum technologies. Teams of algo-traders competed to solve problems using quantum computing techniques. The outcome of the competition was finding an algorithm to the problem that the bank had been trying to solve for over a decade. The participants left with a glimpse of the future and, more importantly, the tools to shape it. That is why it is important to allow people start thinking about how quantum computers may impact their business today and in the near future in a simple, fun, yet challenging manner.

About the company: QxBranch is an advanced data analytics and quantum computing firm based in Washington, DC, with offices in London, Adelaide, and Hong Kong. With a strong systems engineering heritage, QxBranch is a leader in deploying machine learning applications and assured software solutions, with clients in insurance, asset management, biotech, aerospace, and government.  QxBranch's software development team brings decades of experience in high performance computing, modelling and simulation, and development of mission critical systems – those where even slight errors can lead to catastrophic loss. The company applies industry leading system engineering approaches that assure performance and eliminate errors in code. The QxBranch team has developed software for satellites, flight software, quantum computers, and risk management systems, and is currently developing software tools in hedge fund and investment banking environments.

QxBranch currently collaborates with leading firms across industry areas to develop strategies for engaging in quantum computing area which will enable breakthrough applications in all economic sectors.

More info at http://www.qxbranch.com/