IJBA 2025 Enterprise Ireland Company of the Year: Equal1
The Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) was honoured to host the 2025 Ireland Japan Business Awards (IJBA) in the Conrad Tokyo on Friday, 21st November.
Each year the Chamber celebrates key companies and individuals for their outstanding contributions to Ireland-Japan business relations.
The Enterprise Ireland Company of the Year was one of 4 award categories presented this year.
This award, sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, a foundation member of the Chamber, recognises an Enterprise Ireland client company that has achieved success in the Japanese market or demonstrated strong business growth in Japan.
This year, we are delighted to announce that the Ireland Japan Business Awards 2025 Enterprise Ireland Company of the Year was awarded to Equal1.
Enterprise Ireland Company of the Year Award (Equal1) – https://www.equal1.com
Ms. Reiko Hiruma (right), Senior Commercial Officer at Enterprise Ireland Japan announcing the winner at the Ireland Japan Business Awards 2025.
Commenting on the selection of Equal1 as Enterprise Ireland Company of the year, Enterprise Ireland made the following statement:
“Enterprise Ireland selected Equal1 as Company of the Year for its groundbreaking silicon-based quantum computing technology, which uniquely integrates quantum and classical processors on a single chip - making quantum practical and scalable for real-world applications. This achievement reflects Enterprise Ireland’s support in helping Equal1 advance its technology and strengthen its position for future global growth.”
Mr. Niall Keegan, Director of Business Development, Japan, at Equal1, accepted the award on behalf of Equal1 and shared a quick summary of the technological leaps the company was making in the field of quantum computing.
“It is my pleasure to accept the Enterprise Ireland Company of the Year for 2025 on behalf of Equal1.
Equal1 is very much at the leading edge of a brand new field of technology known as quantum computing.
Although quantum computing is not yet used widely in industry there are companies and organizations who are starting to take advantage of the power that quantum computing brings, in pharma for drug discovery, logistics for supply chain optimization, finance for risk analysis and portfolio optimization for example.
Japan has a very keen interest in quantum computing in general and the promise of scalability inherent in the semiconductor qubit technology pioneered by Equal1.
With the help and support of all our partners in Japan, we look forward to building a business here that can seen as a model for high-tech collaboration between Ireland and Japan.”
A special video message from Equal1 CEO Jason Lynch showed the inside of their quantum computer.
Mr. Niall Keegan (right centre), pictured from with IJCC President Sarah Hickey (left), Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, H.E. Damien Cole (left centre), Senior Commercial Officer of Enterprise Ireland Japan Reiko Hiruma (right).
The Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce extends a sincere congratulations again to all the award recipients.
We were delighted to honour the incredible achievements of the Ireland-Japan business community on our stage. The bonds between Ireland and Japan continue to grow from strength to strength, thanks to the unwavering commitment of the leaders in business, community and culture across both countries.
Míle buíochas (many thanks) to everyone who attended this year's Ireland Japan Business Awards. We were honoured to bring the community together for this annual tradition and we sincerely look forward to welcoming you all again next year.
