D-Wave Joins with Creative Destruction Lab to Foster Startups in Quantum Machine Learning

Applications for intensive one-year program open now through July 24


BURNABY, BC--(Marketwired - May 23, 2017) - Today D-Wave Systems Inc., the leader in quantum computing systems and software, announced a new initiative with the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. D-Wave will work with CDL, as a CDL Partner, to create a new track to foster startups focused on quantum machine learning. The new track will complement CDL's successful existing track in machine learning. Applicants selected for the intensive one-year program will go through an introductory boot camp led by Dr. Peter Wittek, author of Quantum Machine Learning: What Quantum Computing means to Data Mining, with instruction and technical support from D-Wave experts, access to a D-Wave 2000Q™ quantum computer, and the opportunity to use a D-Wave sampling service to enable machine learning computations and applications. D-Wave staff will be a part of the committee selecting up to 40 individuals for the program, which begins in September 2017.

"Helping to build an ecosystem of quantum AI and machine learning startups who develop applications speaks directly to D-Wave's vision: bringing quantum computing out of the research lab and into the real world," said Vern Brownell, CEO of D-Wave. "The convergence of quantum computing and machine learning will drive significant value to businesses and the world. We're proud to join with CDL and use their proven approach to facilitate the creation of early-stage companies who share that vision, and to help them use D-Wave's technology to jumpstart their businesses."

"We are thrilled to have D-Wave as a CDL partner and for our companies to have access not only to their quantum computing and sampling technologies, but also to their world-class team of quantum machine learning experts," said Rachel Harris, Director of CDL. "Access to D-Wave systems will not only help strengthen learning from the theoretical and applied concepts taught in the boot camp, it will also create an environment of experimentation and exploration of new approaches, and technologies, which lies at the very core of what we do at the Lab."

Applications for the training program will be accepted in three rounds with dates set for May 29, June 26, and July 24. International applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The program will be provided free to successful candidates, who will also be offered equity financing upon meeting specific launch criteria. D-Wave will provide a specified level of access to its quantum system and sampling service to each participant chosen by CDL. Each startup that fully leverages the D-Wave platform may procure additional access from D-Wave in exchange for equity or cash. More information is available at www.creativedestructionlab.com/quantum or via email at quantum@creativedestructionlab.com.

About D-Wave Systems Inc.
D-Wave is the leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems and software, and the world's only commercial supplier of quantum computers. Our mission is to unlock the power of quantum computing for the world. We believe that quantum computing will enable solutions to the most challenging national defense, scientific, technical, and commercial problems. D-Wave's systems are being used by some of the world's most advanced organizations, including Lockheed Martin, Google, NASA Ames, USRA, USC, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. With headquarters near Vancouver, Canada, D-Wave's U.S. operations are based in Palo Alto, CA and Hanover, MD. D-Wave has a blue-chip investor base including Goldman Sachs, Bezos Expeditions, DFJ, In-Q-Tel, BDC Capital, Growthworks, 180 Degree Capital Corp., International Investment and Underwriting, and Kensington Partners Limited. For more information, visit: www.dwavesys.com.

About the Creative Destruction Lab
The Creative Destruction Lab is a seed-stage program for massively scalable, science based ventures. It was launched in 2012 and employs a unique, objectives-focused coaching process to help founders commercialize advances in science and technology. Graduates include Thalmic Labs (Waterloo), Atomwise (San Francisco), Deep Genomics (Toronto), Nymi (Toronto), Automat (Montreal), Kyndi (Palo Alto), and Heuritech (Paris). For more information, visit: www.creativedestructionlab.com.

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