Building the world’s first open-source quantum computer
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Researchers from the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Science and the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) are prioritizing collaboration over competition to advance quantum computer development and the field of quantum information. They are doing this through Open Quantum Design (OQD), a non-profit organization that boasts the world's first open-source, full stack quantum computer.OQD was co-founded in 2024 by faculty members in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and IQC, Drs. Crystal Senko, Rajibul Islam and Roger Melko, alongside CEO Greg Dick (BSc ’93).The group is helping reshape how quantum research is shared, opening doors for the next generation of quantum scientists, and even seeding new quantum startups.“The trapped-ion quantum computing community has a strong tradition of sharing designs and knowledge. OQD shares that ethos and scales it.”- Dr. Crystal Senko, IQC Faculty and Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy. in Waterloo's Global Futures 2026