New Study: Surveyed Business Leaders Expect Significant ROI from Quantum Optimization
This new study published by D-Wave in collaboration with Wakefield Research, highlights the potential for quantum optimization to create value across industries. According to the study, 46% of surveyed business leaders whose company has implemented quantum optimization or plans to do so within the next two years expect a return on investment of between $1 and $5 million, while 27% predict a return of more than $5 million in the first 12 months.
"Yesterday’s legacy computing solutions are struggling to keep pace with modern business. Leaders are increasingly recognizing that annealing quantum computing can play a pivotal role in solving business-critical problems now. This survey reflects the rapidly growing interest in applying quantum to complex optimization use cases, with business leaders unequivocally recognizing the substantial potential ROI of doing so."
Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave
81%
Believe that they have reached the limit of the benefits they can achieve through optimization solutions running on classical computers.
60%
Expect quantum computing-based optimization to be very or extremely helpful in solving the specific operational challenges that their companies face.
88%
Believe that their company would go “above and beyond” for even a 5% improvement in optimization.
About the Study
The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of D-Wave to better understand how business leaders make decisions about optimization solutions and their company’s engagement with quantum computing. The survey was conducted between May 2nd and May 15th, 2025, among 400 business leaders in North America, Europe, and APAC using an email invitation and an online survey. All respondents are logistics or operational managers and decision-makers at their organization and make decisions about optimization in their line-of-business, from the following key sectors: retail, logistics, supply chain, manufacturing, life sciences, and financial services.
