Imagine New Mexico not just as a desert landscape or a hub for art and culture, but as a rising center for cutting-edge quantum technology.
That’s exactly what’s happening thanks to a new $4 million partnership between Boston-based QuEra Computing, a leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, and Albuquerque’s Roadrunner Venture Studios, a venture studio built for hard science company creation.
Together, they’re setting up a quantum testbed at the Roadrunner Quantum Lab (RQL), with strong backing from the State of New Mexico.
QuEra Sets Roots in Albuquerque
As part of the partnership, QuEra will establish a physical presence at the RQL, bringing new jobs to the area and expanding access to its quantum computing systems for local startups and resident companies.
The initiative is designed not just to attract high-tech talent, but also to boost workforce training programs, support startup formation, and attract both federal and private investment.
Ultimately, the goal is to lay a long-lasting foundation for New Mexico’s advanced technology economy.
Cutting-Edge Facilities for Quantum Research
The new testbeds at RQL will support research and development across multiple domains, starting with two major facilities:
Photonics and Optics Testing Center
This lab will focus on neutral-atom quantum computing research.
It will feature a scalable, replicable testbed for neutral atom arrays, along with advanced calibration and measurement tools to validate beam stability and single-atom interactions.
Set in a controlled, cleanroom-adjacent environment with strict safety protocols, the center will allow researchers and startups to prototype, test, and refine next-generation photonic components—critical for future quantum systems.
Classical Compute User-Access Facility
QuEra will also create a dedicated infrastructure within RQL, including server racks and high-performance networking to support secure, low-latency hybrid quantum-classical computing.
Approved users—from academic researchers to industry partners—will be able to remotely access QuEra-hosted quantum and classical computing resources.
This facility enables complex simulations, algorithm development, and collaborative research from virtually anywhere.
The initial launch is expected later this year, starting with collaborations involving academic institutions and national labs, before expanding access to startups and industry partners.
Building a Strong Quantum Coalition
Roadrunner Venture Studios, with support from the New Mexico Economic Development Department and the state government, is spearheading a growing quantum coalition.
This coalition includes national laboratories such as Sandia and Los Alamos, private companies like Qunnect and QuEra, academic institutions including the University of New Mexico, and venture capital firms such as DCVC, Playground Global, and Quantonation.
QuEra’s Global Quantum Impact
QuEra helps enterprise innovators leverage quantum computing to gain competitive advantages, supports high-performance computing centers in solving complex problems, and aids government programs in building national and sovereign capabilities.
The company combines on-premises and cloud-based quantum systems with application co-design and collaborative research.
Originally founded at Harvard and MIT, QuEra now operates globally, with offices in Boston, Tokyo, and the United Kingdom.
Roadrunner’s Role in Turning Science Into Startups
Under CEO and Co-Founder Adam Hammer, Roadrunner Venture Studios focuses on turning research in hard sciences—including advanced energy, robotics, and quantum—into scalable, venture-backed companies.
By working with national labs, research institutions, and venture capital partners, the studio transforms groundbreaking scientific discoveries into real-world commercial ventures.
What Comes Next
With these initiatives underway, New Mexico is positioning itself as a leading hub for quantum research and innovation.
As RQL opens its doors, the state can expect an influx of talent, startups, and high-tech collaborations that could redefine its economic landscape.
