CINECA advances large-scale quantum algorithm simulation with Kipu Quantum and NVIDIA 

Casalecchio di Reno, 17 March 2026 – CINECA has supported the execution of one of the largest-known statevector simulation of a quantum optimisation routine, simulating a 43-qubit quantum optimization routine, leveraging 2,048 NVIDIA A100 GPUs and the NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform for hybrid quantum-classical computing. The simulation was carried out in collaboration with Kipu Quantum and focused on a novel hybrid algorithm, Quantum-Enhanced Memetic Tabu Search (QE-MTS). 

The record-setting experiment executed on the Leonardo cluster, a high performance system funded by EuroHPC JU and the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), relied on a multi-GPU, multi-node NVIDIA CUDA-Q statevector implementation via MPI, enabling high-fidelity emulation of quantum computational processes at unprecedented scale. By combining accelerated computing with advanced quantum software frameworks, CINECA’s HPC infrastructure provided the computational backbone necessary to validate and stress-test complex hybrid quantum-classical workflows. 

GPU-accelerated statevector simulations allow researchers to explore algorithmic regimes and architectural integration strategies for tomorrow’s large-scale fault-tolerant quantum hardware. Emulating quantum workloads on HPC systems is a critical step toward the future convergence of quantum processors and accelerated supercomputing platforms. 

 Supercomputing centers worldwide — including CINECA — are actively preparing for hybrid quantum-classical infrastructures. This work contributes to defining the integration frameworks that will underpin quantum-GPU supercomputers, moving beyond theoretical research toward operational hybrid workflows. 

“We are pleased to collaborate with Kipu Quantum and NVIDIA on a project that concretely demonstrates the strategic role of supercomputing in quantum research,” said Prof. Francesco Ubertini, President of CINECA. “Supporting this large-scale simulation  demonstrates how European and national investments in world-class supercomputing infrastructures enable the development and validation of hybrid quantum–classical algorithms, contributing in a concrete way to the architectural foundations of next-generation supercomputing. This joint effort reaffirms CINECA’s commitment to supporting emerging technologies and to providing the scientific community with infrastructures capable of advancing the frontiers of innovation.” 

“The collaboration with NVIDIA and CINECA represents a key validation of the scalability aspects of Kipu Quantum’s hybrid algorithmics. This is the necessary step for testing the possible limits of classical supercomputing while exploring advanced quantum-classical workflows. We are now ready to develop quantum computing products in our Kipu Quantum Hub that solves industrial problems in finance, production, life science, image classification, among others” commented Prof. Enrique Solano, Kipu Quantum CEO. 

“Large-scale simulations are accelerating work along the path to practical quantum computing,” said Tim Costa, Vice President and General Manager for Quantum, NVIDIA  “By using CUDA-Q to  GPU-accelerate quantum simulations of larger quantum systems, CINECA is setting a blueprint for how supercomputing centers will lead the scaling of quantum applications.” Through this collaboration, CINECA reinforces its role as a European reference center for high-performance computing and as an enabling platform for next-generation computational paradigms bridging classical and quantum technologies. 

About CINECA 

Founded in 1969, CINECA is a interuniversity consortium bringing together 122 member institutions, including two Italian Ministries (the Ministry of University and Research – MUR, and the Ministry of Education and Merit – MIM), 71 Italian universities, and 49 national public institutions (15 research organizations, 10 university hospitals and IRCCS, 19 AFAM institutions, and 5 agencies and public bodies). CINECA supports and drives digital transformation through innovation, designing and developing advanced technological solutions, building integrated, tailor-made platforms for its members, and delivering services that support public bodies and administrations. It is also one of the world’s leading computing centers and among the most advanced in High Performance Computing (HPC), with activities ranging from infrastructure management to the development of cutting-edge applications, as well as the co-design of technological solutions and research and innovation projects.  Acting on behalf of the Ministry of University and Research, CINECA represents Italy in PRACE (the Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe), serves as a hosting entity of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), and participates in the ITER nuclear fusion project.

About Kipu Quantum 

Kipu Quantum is a Berlin-based quantum artificial intelligence (QAI) company focused on the development and commercialization of industrial QAI products leveraging the leading cloud-based commercial quantum processors and delivering quantum-advantage level performance. Kipu’s products are distributed through the Kipu Quantum Hub – a platform that makes quantum accessible for any user regardless of the level of quantum awareness. The industrial-grade products provided by Kipu are built on sophisticated proprietary QAI agents with impact across major verticals, including financial services, energy, space sensing, life sciences, and manufacturing. More than 300 enterprises already access advanced QAI tools for quantum-enhanced machine learning, optimisation, and artificial intelligence, enabling seamless integration, adoption and productization within existing enterprise workflows. Kipu Quantum makes industrial quantum usefulness a reality and continues to advance its pioneering role.