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Founder and CEO of Xanadu Quantum Technologies named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2026 Ontario. Oct 16, 2026, 09:41 ET Christian Weedbrook recognized for advancing Canada's leadership in quantum computing and building technologies designed to solve some of the world's most complex challenges TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ - Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples - Christian Weedbrook, Founder and CEO of Xanadu Quantum Technologies (TSX: XNDU), a Canadian company focused on making quantum technology useful and accessible to people everywhere, has been named the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Ontario Overall Award winner by an independent judging panel. He was recognized at last night's celebration in Toronto alongside 11 regional winners, a Special Citation recipient and the 2026 Family Business Award of Excellence Award recipients. "Christian has taken a highly complex scientific concept and turned it into a business that's transforming industries," shares Zach Pendley, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ontario Program Co-Director. "His vision, perseverance and commitment to innovation have helped establish Xanadu as a global leader in quantum computing while demonstrating Canada's ability to compete and lead in this rapidly evolving field." Founded in 2016, Xanadu is developing a new kind of powerful computer that uses light to tackle problems beyond the reach of today's most powerful supercomputers. Under Weedbrook's leadership, the Toronto-based company has transformed breakthrough research into a commercial platform spanning hardware, software and advanced manufacturing, with applications across drug discovery, climate modelling, EV battery development and artificial intelligence. What began as an ambitious vision to make quantum computing practical and accessible has evolved into a company of more than 250 people, driving advancements through innovations such as its Aurora quantum computer and widely adopted PennyLane software platform. By investing in Canadian manufacturing, creating highly skilled jobs and helping strengthen Canada's quantum ecosystem, Weedbrook's impact extends beyond the company. At a time when countries around the world are competing to lead the next generation of technological innovation, he is strengthening Canada's position in one of the world's most important emerging industries. Through Xanadu's work, technologies with the potential to accelerate scientific discovery, improve sustainability and unlock new economic opportunities are moving closer to reality, reinforcing Canada's role in shaping the future of computing. "What sets Christian apart is his ability to pair world-class scientific ambition with a drive to build long-term impact," says Brittany Keenan, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ontario Program Co-Director. "He isn't just building breakthrough technology, he's helping create an ecosystem that attracts talent to Ontario, fuels innovation and strengthens Canada's long-term competitiveness on the global stage." Dan Park and Stephen Seibel | Clutch (Marketplaces and Digital Platforms) Kim Sibley, John van Logtenstein and Mike van Logtenstein | Dairy Lane Systems (Manufacturing) Jayme Jenkins and Jessica Stevenson | Everist (Sustainability Leader) Hugo Hodgett | H2 Analytics (Critical Infrastructure and Systems) Zechariah Thomas | Swift Hockey (Market Disruptor) Elizabeth Goldspink | Wellex (Health and Life Sciences) James Yurichuk | Wuxly (Product Innovator) EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Ontario Special Citation recipient: EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Family Business Award of Excellence recipients: What's next? As the Ontario region's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026, Christian will compete with winners from the Pacific, Prairies and Eastern regions for the national title of Canada's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026. The national award will be presented at a celebration on November 24, 2026, in Toronto. Canada's winner will then advance to the global stage in 2027 to compete with more than 50 other country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year(TM) hosted in Monaco. More information Follow @EYCanada and #EOYOntario on social for the latest event updates. Visit ey.com/ca/EOY for more program details and a complete list of finalists and winners. About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program shines a spotlight on entrepreneurs across Canada who master the artful balance of passion, determination, character and skill to create businesses that address the most complex challenges and build a better working world. By joining the program, you'll have the opportunity to celebrate success with your team, inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and gain access to an exclusive global network of program participants that help to build connections, fuel success and navigate long-term growth. The 2026 Ontario independent judging panel comprises Len Anderson, CEO, Renaissance Repair and Supply; Kathy Cheng, President, Redwood Classics Apparel; Karen Greve Young, CEO, Futurpreneur; Judith Ma, Director, Private Equity, OMERS; Nicolas Mulroney, Co-Founder, Chairman, CEO and President, Bond Bakery Brands Limited; and Adrian Rocca, Founder and CEO, Fitzrovia. This year's national program sponsors are Air Canada, TSX Inc., The Globe and Mail and The Printing House. The Ontario regional program sponsors are DLA Piper and Vaco. EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fuelled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. All in to shape the future with confidence. EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com/ca. SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young) For further information, please contact: Jenna Ng Liet Hing, [email protected], +1 416 943 3336

Xanadu reduces quantum memory costs by nearly fourfold. Xanadu cuts quantum memory costs by nearly fourfold. Canadian company Xanadu has introduced a method for optimizing quantum random access memory (QROM), a mechanism that assists quantum algorithms in loading classical data. For 32-bit records, the combination of two methods reduced the number of Toffoli gates by 3.9 times compared to the traditional SelectSwap scheme. According to the Quantum Computing Report, this reduces data loading costs by 75% and could lower hardware overhead in complex simulations of chemical and physical processes. Found a mistake in the text? Select it and press CTRL+ENTER

Xanadu wins IEEE synergy award for quantum community work. With an attendance of 2,300, IEEE Quantum Week in Toronto recently served as a focal point for the global quantum community, and Xanadu actively engaged with attendees through a keynote address and multiple events. Rafal Janik, Xanadu's Chief Operating Officer, delivered a highly attended talk titled "Scaling Photonic Quantum Computing", outlining the company's commercial roadmap and a recently launched, open-source platform for real-time quantum-classical integration. Janik explained that while ultra-low-loss photonic chip packaging accelerates progress, "a complete software stack, developer tools, and practical applications remain crucial for making quantum computing truly useful." Adding a unique touch to the week's events, Isaac De Vlugt, Senior Quantum Scientist - Product at Xanadu, provided music for attendees. Xanadu receives IEEE award for quantum ecosystem work. Commitment to encouraging a collaborative quantum environment received formal recognition with the IEEE Quantum Technical Community 2026 Distinguished Award, presented during IEEE Quantum Week in Toronto. The award acknowledges work for building an open quantum computing ecosystem through PennyLane, global education, collaborative research, and public-private partnerships that connect academia, industry, and government and accelerate progress toward practical quantum computing. This distinction highlights the company's complex approach to quantum development, extending beyond hardware to encompass software, education and community building. The IEEE Quantum Week event itself drew an attendance of 2,300 individuals, establishing it as a central gathering for the international quantum community. The company also hosted unitaryCON, the 8th International Workshop on Quantum Compilation and the Workshop on Quantum Resource Estimation, further solidifying its role as a hub for quantum innovation, Xanadu says. Beyond the technical presentations, the company emphasized the practical application of quantum tools, with a focus on usability. Rafal Janik, Chief Operating Officer, delivered a keynote address, open to all 2,300 conference attendees, exploring how photonics is uniquely positioned to scale quantum computing plans to bridge the gap between demonstration and full-scale implementation. The company is also encouraging continued engagement through its annual quantum coding championship and a survey designed to gather input for the Unitary Foundation, demonstrating a sustained commitment to shaping the future of the quantum ecosystem. Rafal Janik highlights Photonic Quantum scaling at IEEE Quantum Week. This accolade followed a keynote address delivered by Rafal Janik, Chief Operating Officer, to the full conference of 2,300 attendees. Beyond the keynote, the company facilitated deeper engagement with the quantum community through a series of specialized workshops. These included sessions focused on accelerating quantum algorithm design using PennyLane, a demonstration of the company's commitment to providing accessible tools for quantum software development, according to Xanadu. Another workshop, led by Catalina Albornoz and Josh Izaac, addressed the critical need for bridging the gap between compiler developers and scientists, recognizing that effective collaboration is vital for progress. The company also hosted sessions exploring the intersection of quantum computing and generative AI within the financial services sector, led by Stepan Fomichev, highlighting potential real-world applications. These gatherings encouraged focused discussions on specific areas of quantum research and development, further solidifying the company's role as a central hub for the quantum community. Stay current See today's quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.