Quantum industry visionary Dr. Chad Rigetti, founder of Sygaldry and former CEO of Rigetti Computing, has joined the board of directors at Quantum Elements, an AI-native quantum software development company founded in 2023. Rigetti’s appointment, announced November 12, 2025, brings extensive experience in commercializing quantum computing—having established one of the first full-stack quantum firms and pioneering early hybrid quantum-classical approaches. His prior work at IBM and doctoral studies under Nobel laureate Michel Devoret at Yale University, coupled with venture capital experience at QDNL Participations, positions him to strategically guide Quantum Elements’ development of an AI-powered platform aimed at expanding accessibility for quantum developers.
Chad Rigetti’s Appointment to Quantum Elements’ Board
Chad Rigetti, a foundational figure in quantum computing, has joined the board of directors at Quantum Elements. Rigetti previously founded Rigetti Computing in 2013, pioneering full-stack quantum systems and achieving a public listing – a significant step for the nascent industry. His experience extends to venture capital via QDNL Participations, a $70 million fund, and co-founding Sygaldry Technologies, focused on quantum-accelerated AI servers. This appointment signals a strong endorsement of Quantum Elements’ AI-native approach to quantum software development.
Quantum Elements is tackling a critical bottleneck in quantum computing: software development efficiency. The company, founded in 2023, aims to lower costs and accelerate the path to commercial applications through its proprietary software stack and advanced simulator. Rigetti’s background—including prior work in IBM’s quantum computing group and a Yale Ph.D. under Nobel laureate Michel Devoret—provides invaluable technical expertise. He’ll likely focus on strategies to expand accessibility for developers.
This move is strategically important given the current landscape. While quantum hardware is advancing, software lags, hindering practical applications. Quantum Elements’ focus on AI-driven software development, coupled with Rigetti’s experience in building and scaling a quantum computing company, positions them to address this challenge. Rigetti’s insights will be critical for Quantum Elements as it navigates the complex process of translating theoretical quantum algorithms into real-world solutions.
Quantum Elements’ Focus on AI-Native Software
Quantum Elements is distinguishing itself by building an “AI-native” software stack for quantum algorithm development. This approach isn’t simply applying AI to existing quantum workflows; instead, AI is integral to the platform’s core design. The company, founded in 2023, aims to drastically reduce the time and cost associated with translating theoretical quantum algorithms into practical applications—a significant hurdle currently facing the industry. This focus is attracting key figures like Chad Rigetti, founder of Rigetti Computing, to its board.
The core innovation lies in leveraging AI to automate and optimize multiple stages of quantum software creation. This includes algorithm design, error mitigation, and compilation for specific quantum hardware. By automating these complex processes, Quantum Elements aims to expand access to quantum computing beyond a limited pool of specialized experts. Their world-leading simulator, combined with AI-driven optimization, promises to deliver results with today’s noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers.
The appointment of Chad Rigetti signals strong validation of Quantum Elements’ strategy. Rigetti’s deep experience, from founding a full-stack quantum firm to investing in early-stage quantum startups via QDNL Participations ($70M fund), brings valuable technical acumen and industry connections. His co-founding role at Sygaldry Technologies, building quantum-accelerated AI servers, further underscores the synergy between AI and quantum computing that Quantum Elements is actively pursuing.
Rigetti’s Background and Industry Contributions
Chad Rigetti is a foundational figure in the commercial quantum computing landscape, establishing Rigetti Computing in 2013. This made it one of the first full-stack quantum companies – handling both hardware and software development – and notably, one of the first publicly traded entities in the field. Rigetti’s early focus on providing global cloud access to working quantum systems accelerated experimentation and broadened the user base, moving the technology beyond purely academic research. This commitment to accessibility proved vital for fostering innovation.
Rigetti’s contributions extend beyond simply building hardware. He championed a hybrid quantum-classical approach, recognizing the limitations of current quantum processors. This involved integrating quantum processing units (QPUs) with traditional high-performance computing resources. This strategy remains central to achieving practical quantum advantage in the near term. Following his departure from Rigetti Computing in 2022, he joined QDNL Participations, a $70 million venture capital firm, to further support early-stage quantum startups.
Prior to founding Rigetti Computing, Chad Rigetti honed his expertise within IBM’s quantum computing group and earned a Ph.D. in applied physics from Yale University under Nobel laureate Michel Devoret. His continued involvement, now with both Sygaldry Technologies (building quantum-accelerated AI servers) and Quantum Elements (as a board member), demonstrates a persistent commitment to translating quantum potential into tangible solutions. He’s actively investing in and guiding companies focused on improving quantum software development efficiency.
