Florida Atlantic University to Install $20 Million Quantum Computer

Partnership with D-Wave Quantum aims to establish Florida as a national tech hub.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:55am

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Florida Atlantic University has signed a $20 million agreement with D-Wave Quantum Inc. to purchase and install an Advantage2 annealing quantum computer at its Boca Raton campus. The deal includes the relocation of D-Wave's corporate headquarters to the Boca Raton Innovation Center, and the entities are exploring the creation of a D-Wave Quantum Applications Academy at FAU to support training and workforce development.

Why it matters

This partnership is expected to catalyze research in critical sectors, including life sciences and data security, while providing students with direct access to transformative computing technology. The initiative has garnered substantial support from state and local government, positioning the university at the forefront of the next generation of computing with implications for national defense and critical transportation systems.

The details

The Advantage2 system will serve as the centerpiece of the broader collaboration between FAU and D-Wave to advance quantum education and applied innovation. The state of Florida and the city of Boca Raton are providing job growth and training incentives to expand the regional talent pool, supporting increased government business and in-production quantum systems.

  • The $20 million agreement was announced on January 28, 2026.
  • The Advantage2 system is expected to be deployed at FAU's Boca Raton campus later in 2026.

The players

D-Wave Quantum Inc.

A Palo Alto-based company that provides both annealing and gate-model quantum systems. D-Wave's presence in Florida is expected to serve as a key U.S. development hub.

Florida Atlantic University

An R1 research university in Boca Raton, Florida, that intends to leverage the Advantage2 system to address complex challenges in logistics, finance, and materials discovery.

Adam Hasner

The president of Florida Atlantic University, who highlighted the historical context of the move and signaled FAU's intent to be recognized as 'Florida's Quantum Computing University'.

J. Alex Kelly

The Florida Secretary of Commerce, who noted that the investment positions the university at the forefront of the next generation of computing, with implications for national defense and critical transportation systems.

Alan Baratz

The CEO of D-Wave, who emphasized that the institution is helping to shape the quantum era rather than merely preparing for it.

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What they’re saying

“Deploying a D-Wave quantum computer at FAU will establish the university as a preeminent center for quantum computing education and research.”

— Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave (bocaratontribune.com)

“This partnership will truly define how we approach science and innovation.”

— Adam Hasner, President of Florida Atlantic University (bocaratontribune.com)

What’s next

The Advantage2 system is expected to be deployed at FAU's Boca Raton campus later in 2026, and the entities are exploring the creation of a D-Wave Quantum Applications Academy at the university to support training and workforce development.

The takeaway

This partnership between FAU and D-Wave Quantum positions Florida as a national technological hub, focusing on workforce development and real-world applications in critical sectors like logistics, finance, and national defense. The arrival of the Advantage2 quantum computer is expected to catalyze new academic-private partnerships and transform the South Florida corridor into a high-stakes competitor in the global quantum computing market.