IonQ Appoints Dr. Marco Pistoia as CEO of IonQ Italia to Drive Quantum Innovation Across Italy
IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a global leader in quantum computing, has announced the appointment of Dr. Marco Pistoia, Ph.D., as Chief Executive Officer of IonQ Italia S.r.l., its newly established wholly owned subsidiary. This strategic move underscores IonQ’s commitment to expanding its presence in Italy and leveraging the country’s potential as a hub for quantum innovation. As CEO of IonQ Italia, Dr. Pistoia will spearhead initiatives aimed at deepening engagement with Italian enterprises, research institutions, and government partners, while advancing the adoption of quantum technologies across key industries.
Dr. Pistoia brings decades of experience in quantum research and technology leadership to his new role. His mission is to position Italy as a cornerstone of Europe’s quantum ecosystem by driving the integration of IonQ’s cutting-edge quantum solutions into sectors such as finance, energy, aerospace, defense, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, IonQ Italia aims to unlock transformative applications of quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security.
A Strategic Move for Italy’s Quantum Future
Italy represents a critical pillar in IonQ’s global platform strategy, which seeks to establish the company as the only full-stack provider of quantum technologies worldwide. According to Niccolò de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ, Dr. Pistoia’s appointment reflects the company’s dedication to fostering quantum innovation within Italy. “Under Dr. Pistoia’s visionary leadership, IonQ will accelerate the deployment of quantum technologies that drive industrial competitiveness, enhance national security, and position Italy at the forefront of the worldwide Quantum Renaissance,” said de Masi.
The establishment of IonQ Italia aligns with broader efforts to meet growing demand for quantum systems across commercial and national infrastructure applications. The subsidiary will play a pivotal role in supporting job creation and high-impact innovation aligned with Italy’s national and EU-level quantum strategies. These initiatives are designed to bolster technological sovereignty and ensure Italy remains competitive in an increasingly quantum-driven global economy.
A Visionary Leader for Italy’s Quantum Revolution
Dr. Pistoia expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to shape Italy’s quantum future through IonQ’s pioneering technologies. “With IonQ’s world-class hardware and a rapidly expanding global ecosystem of partners, we have a historic opportunity to position Italy at the forefront of the quantum revolution—transforming industry, science, and national innovation,” he said.
In addition to promoting quantum computing and application development, Dr. Pistoia plans to introduce IonQ’s full spectrum of quantum solutions to Italy. These include quantum networking, quantum security, and quantum sensing, all of which are essential for building a more secure, intelligent, and technologically sovereign future. His leadership will focus on creating robust partnerships that enable Italian organizations to harness the power of quantum technologies effectively.
Dr. Pistoia will report directly to Niccolò de Masi while continuing to lead IonQ’s Special Projects group globally. This division explores advanced quantum initiatives, including quantum financial systems, quantum-safe communications, and the integration of quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography with emerging satellite and networking technologies.
A Legacy of Innovation
Before joining IonQ, Dr. Pistoia served as Head of Global Technology Applied Research at JPMorgan Chase in New York, where he led the firm’s quantum computing and security initiatives. Prior to that, he spent over two decades at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center, where he earned recognition as a Distinguished Research Staff Member, Master Inventor, and Head of Quantum Algorithms and Applications.
Dr. Pistoia holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from New York University and has authored more than 200 scientific publications. With over 650 patents to his name, he was recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2022 as one of the top 250 American inventors of all time. His extensive background in quantum algorithms, cryptography, and applied research makes him uniquely qualified to lead IonQ Italia’s ambitious agenda.
Building a Quantum-Powered Italy
IonQ Italia’s launch marks a significant step forward in Italy’s journey toward becoming a leader in quantum innovation. By providing access to IonQ’s advanced quantum systems, the subsidiary will empower Italian enterprises and researchers to explore groundbreaking applications in fields ranging from artificial intelligence to materials science.
Moreover, IonQ Italia will collaborate closely with local universities, research centers, and government agencies to develop tailored quantum solutions that address Italy’s unique challenges and opportunities. This collaborative approach ensures that quantum technologies are not only accessible but also impactful, driving economic growth and enhancing national security.
As global competition in quantum technologies intensifies, countries like Italy must act swiftly to secure their positions in this emerging field. Through its investment in IonQ Italia and the appointment of Dr. Marco Pistoia, IonQ is paving the way for Italy to become a dynamic powerhouse in the global quantum landscape.
With Dr. Pistoia at the helm, IonQ Italia is poised to deliver transformative quantum solutions that benefit industries, governments, and society at large. By combining IonQ’s world-class quantum capabilities with Italy’s rich tradition of scientific excellence, the subsidiary promises to usher in a new era of innovation and progress—one that positions Italy as a beacon of quantum leadership in Europe and beyond.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.
The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking also position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.
IonQ has operations in Maryland, Washington, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, United Kingdom, Toronto, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland. The company’s innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Fortune Future 50, Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000, and Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.
