D-Wave Quantum, a quantum computing company listed on the NYSE under the ticker QBTS, has not pursued a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, unlike some competitors. The company did not apply for the project at all, as its technology does not align with the military's requirements.
Instead, D-Wave is focusing on quantum annealing, a specialized approach that finds optimized solutions by identifying the lowest energy state in a system. This technology is not geared toward general-purpose quantum computing models sought by agencies like DARPA.
The company has been partnering with several world-class manufacturers, including Volkswagen and Toyota, to implement hybrid quantum computing solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency. These collaborations target areas such as manufacturing logistics and artificial intelligence training, where optimization is key.
D-Wave's market capitalization stands at approximately $10 billion. Some investors are drawn to the company due to its smaller size, which could allow for easier growth in the emerging quantum computing field. However, the industry faces significant competition and risk, with no guarantees of success.
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team recently identified ten stocks they consider the best for investors to buy now, and D-Wave Quantum was not included in that list. The team highlighted historical examples, such as Netflix and Nvidia, which delivered substantial returns after being recommended.