D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) Q3 2024 Earnings Transcript

Core Insights - D-Wave's quantum annealing systems are among the few quantum computing technologies currently utilized in production use cases, indicating a significant step towards broader adoption across various industries [1] - The newly calibrated 4,400 qubit Advantage 2 processor shows substantial performance improvements, including double coherence time and a 40% increase in energy scale, which are expected to enhance the ability to solve complex computational problems [2][3] - The company is experiencing increased interest in its technology, particularly in the context of commercial adoption of quantum computing, driven by the capabilities of its 5,000 qubit Advantage quantum computer [4] Product and Technology Advancements - The Advantage 2 processor has been calibrated, marking a significant milestone towards its commercial release, and is expected to address larger optimization problems [3] - D-Wave's Leap quantum cloud service has achieved over 99.9% availability, supporting commercial-grade applications and allowing customers to run nearly 2 million jobs without scheduling issues [7][8] - A major pilot with NTT DOCOMO resulted in a 15% reduction in network congestion, showcasing the practical applications of D-Wave's technology in real-world scenarios [10] Market and Customer Engagement - D-Wave has been recognized as a key player in the quantum computing space, with applications being used in commercial production deployments, including collaborations with major companies like NTT DOCOMO and Japan Tobacco [11][12] - The company is expanding its customer base, with a notable increase in government and research customers, reflecting a strategic shift towards these sectors [21] - D-Wave's partnership with Staque aims to develop hybrid quantum applications for enterprise optimization and AI problems, further broadening its market reach [13][14] Financial Performance - Revenue for Q3 2024 was $1.9 million, a decrease of 27% from the previous year, while QCaaS revenue increased by 41% to $1.6 million, indicating a shift in revenue sources [18] - Professional services revenue saw a significant decline of 80%, attributed to the timing of new agreements, but bookings for professional services were strong, suggesting potential future growth [19] - The company reported a net loss of $22.7 million for Q3, an increase from the previous year's loss, primarily due to lower revenue and higher operating expenses [23][24] Strategic Initiatives - D-Wave is focusing on enhancing its go-to-market organization, with significant progress in filling key positions across various regions, including North America and Europe [20][65] - The company is exploring generative AI architectures that leverage quantum processing units for more efficient model training, indicating a commitment to integrating AI with quantum computing [6][70] - D-Wave's designation on the U.S. Department of Defense's Tradewinds platform facilitates easier procurement of its products, reflecting growing government interest in quantum applications [12][39]