California Semiconductor Company ‘Pulls Tent Stakes’ from Bay Area for Access to MSU’s Quantum Lab

BOZEMAN — A California semiconductor company has relocated its entire operation to Montana, citing the state’s business climate and access to Montana State University’s cutting-edge quantum computing capabilities.

Governor Greg Gianforte cut the ribbon Tuesday on Eshylon Scientific’s new Bozeman facility, marking another addition to Montana’s growing quantum technology cluster around MSU’s recently opened QCORE facility.

“Montana is becoming a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation thanks to our growing economy and pro-business policies,” Gianforte said. “It’s great to welcome Eshylon Scientific to the Treasure State to experience our unmatched quality of life, highly qualified workforce, and the best climate for business.”

Eshylon Scientific founder and CEO Eryn Smith said his company initially planned only to expand to Montana but decided to relocate entirely after connecting with the Montana Department of Commerce at a quantum conference.

“We were originally just going to bring our expansion to Montana, but after visiting the state and with the Montana Department of Commerce, we decided to pull tent stakes and leave the Bay Area,” Smith said.

The company serves as a technology supplier in the quantum and photonics industry, positioning it to benefit from MSU’s $44.7 million QCORE facility that opened just days ago with backing from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

MSU’s facility houses one of only seven worldwide combinations of both photonic and superconducting quantum computers, making it uniquely suited to support companies like Eshylon Scientific that work in quantum and photonics technologies.

“Montana offers a talented workforce. We are working closely with Montana State University, donating resources and hiring their graduating class of engineers,” Smith said. “There’s lots of advantages to doing business here in Montana.”

The new Bozeman facility will serve as the company’s primary research and development and manufacturing site, representing an initial $1 million investment. Smith projects the investment could grow ten-fold as the company expands operations.

Eshylon Scientific currently employs four Montanans with expectations for continued growth as it integrates with Montana’s emerging quantum technology ecosystem. The company joins a network of photonics and cryogenics companies that MSU has helped establish around Bozeman over two decades.

The relocation highlights Montana’s strategic positioning in quantum technology development, with QCORE serving as both a research center and business incubator through partnerships with 15 companies and memoranda of understanding with around 60 organizations.

“We’re leading Montana’s transformation into a global powerhouse for quantum-enabled technologies by 2035,” said Jayne Morrow, QCORE’s director, when the facility opened earlier this month.