Investments: Are Revolutionary Innovations Worth the Wait?

Source: Canadian Business on Quantum Computing

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Major investors today are reluctant to capitalize ventures further into the future than 10 years. However, with vast innovations proceeding, this cautious attitude allows for too many missed opportunities. Take D-Wave for example. This company founded in 1999 in Burnaby, BC, backed by six keen capital investors, took thirteen year for the capital to transform into a revolution of quantum computing, yet it continually advances. In early 2012, the company launched D-Wave Two, which became the first commercially available quantum computer and is believed to be able to solve some of the world’s most perplexing computational problems. In May 2013, Google, NASA, and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) were not hesitant to purchase this $15-million machine together, intended for their new Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab. Even with this gigantic advancement, founder and CTO of D-Wave, Geordie Rose acknowledges that this is just an early step toward the true potential of quantum computing. Although it may be difficult to persuade other investors to capitalize on ventures similar that will demand 10 to 30 years, the potential returns made through innovation may be worth the risk. Canadian businessman Mike Lazaridis suggests, “…invest in something that nobody understands. Because if you understand it, you’re probably too late.”

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