OrangeQS Welcomes IQM to MAX Partnership Program

Orange Quantum Systems (OrangeQS), a venture of Icecat Capital, has welcomed IQM Quantum Computers as the newest participant in its OrangeQS MAX Partnership Program. The collaboration will focus on advancing quantum chip testing technology as the industry works toward larger and more scalable quantum computers.

IQM is a European developer of superconducting quantum computers serving enterprises, research institutions, universities, high-performance computing centers, and national laboratories. Through the partnership program, IQM will contribute to developing chip-testing methodologies that meet the requirements of future quantum technology.

Preparing Quantum Chip Testing for Scale

As quantum computers grow and quantum processors contain more qubits, testing infrastructure must also scale. Testing quantum chips quickly and reliably is an important part of moving from research and development toward higher-volume production.

The OrangeQS MAX Partnership Program was created to align OrangeQS’s development roadmap with the requirements of quantum chip manufacturers. Its objective is to significantly expand testing capacity over the coming years while making the process faster, more reliable, and less costly. 

The program currently focuses on parallel, non-destructive quantum chip testing. Each participating company works independently with OrangeQS and can provide input on specific areas of the MAX technology and product roadmap based on its own requirements. This structure also allows partners to protect their intellectual property while contributing to the development of testing solutions suited to different chip architectures and manufacturing processes.

Within the program, IQM’s main focus will be developing chip-testing methodologies to support future technology requirements. A demonstrator built on an IQM-provided system is planned as the next major milestone.

Garrelt Alberts, Executive Director at OrangeQS, highlighted the existing relationship between the two companies and their shared goal of strengthening Europe’s quantum computing value chain and supporting the development of scalable quantum computing.

The partnership also builds on previous cooperation between OrangeQS and IQM. OrangeQS MAX was developed in collaboration with IQM to ensure the system could meet the requirements of commercial quantum chip testing processes.

IQM Joins a Growing Partnership Program

The MAX Partnership Program was launched earlier in 2026 with Rigetti Computing, QuantWare, and Peak Quantum as its first participants. IQM now joins the initiative as its newest partner.

Earlier this year, OrangeQS announced Rigetti Computing, QuantWare, and Peak Quantum as the first participants in the MAX Partnership Program, bringing together companies working across superconducting processors, quantum hardware, and system integration. Iceclog previously covered these partnerships and OrangeQS’s expansion following its funding round led by Icecat Capital. 

OrangeQS develops equipment for the characterization and testing of quantum chips. Its MAX platform is designed as an automated, high-throughput system for quantum chip testing, while the company also provides its FLEX test system and the open-source OrangeQS Juice operating system for quantum research and development.

With IQM joining the MAX Partnership Program, OrangeQS is expanding its collaboration with quantum chip manufacturers while continuing to develop testing infrastructure around the future requirements of quantum hardware production.