IonQ(IONQ) - 2023 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IonQ generated $6.1 million in revenue for Q4 2023, bringing the full year recognized revenue to just over$22 million, meeting the upper end of the projected range [7][93] - The company achieved $65.1 million in bookings for the year, significantly exceeding the midpoint guidance of$40 million [8][93] - Total operating costs and expenses for Q4 2023 were $60.6 million, up 121$27.4 million in the prior period [37] - The net loss for Q4 was $1.9 million, compared to$18.6 million in the prior period, while the full year net loss was $157.8 million versus$48.5 million in 2022 [39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Research and development costs for Q4 were $31.6 million, up 131$13.7 million in the prior period [37] - Sales and marketing costs in Q4 were $7 million, an increase of 189$2.4 million in the prior period [38] - General administrative costs in Q4 were $15.3 million, up 69$9.1 million in the prior period [38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The quantum computing market is projected to grow significantly, with estimates for quantum automotive solutions reaching upwards of $10 billion and quantum chemistry applications potentially reaching$50 billion [12][18] - The generative AI market is expected to reach a size of $1.3 trillion within the next 10 years, indicating a substantial opportunity for quantum computing applications [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IonQ aims to support the AI industry by investing in quantum machine learning applications and exploring ways to enhance large language models [18][23] - The company is focused on developing quantum hardware that can fit into a standard data center rack, with plans to increase computational power significantly [32] - IonQ is expanding its manufacturing facility in Seattle by 50$455.9 million as of December 31, 2023, which supports ongoing execution of the technical roadmap [96] - The company anticipates a revenue target of $37 million to$41 million for the full 2024 fiscal year, with bookings projected between $70 million and$90 million [96] Other Important Information - IonQ has established a relationship with Duke University to capture royalty-free intellectual property related to quantum computing [22] - The company has appointed two new board members to accelerate commercialization efforts [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the timeline for broader awareness of quantum capabilities? - Management indicated that as they progress to AQ 64, the difficulty of classical simulation will become apparent, leading to increased investment in quantum technology [42] Question: How diversified were the bookings in Q4? - There were no hardware-related bookings in Q4, but management expects hardware sales to increase in 2024 [44][48] Question: What hurdles does the company face in becoming more commercial? - Management noted strong international interest, particularly in government sectors, while also acknowledging uncertainty in U.S. government funding [56] Question: How does IonQ plan to increase the speed of qubits? - The company is optimizing current gate schemes and exploring new modalities to enhance speed [63] Question: Is there increased competition in the quantum computing market? - Management acknowledged the growing number of competitors but expressed confidence in IonQ's current market position and technological advancements [86]