Finnish firms tackle quantum computing from many angles

IQM Quantum Computers has set up its first office outside Europe, in Singapore.

The Espoo-headquartered developer of quantum computers revealed earlier this month that the aim of the expansion is to build quantum computers for data centres and national laboratories, and accelerate quantum technology-related research, development and education through public-private collaboration in the Asia-Pacific.

Expanding to the region aligns with the company’s commitment to building “world-leading quantum computers for the wellbeing of humankind, now and for the future,” stated Jan Goetz, CEO of IQM.

“Our regional team will play a crucial role in broadening our global development,” he envisaged. “We look forward to partnering with important players in the value chain as we continue to push the boundaries of the ecosystem.”

Singapore, the company highlighted, offers access to high-quality talent, research capabilities, technology transfer capacity and quantum readiness.

IQM’s other offices are located in Madrid, Munich and Paris.

The company reported a month earlier that it has been selected to deliver quantum processing units for the first quantum computer in Spain, which is to be integrated with MareNostrum 5, a supercomputer at the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre.

“This is a significant announcement for IQM,” stated Goetz.

Integrating the quantum computer with the supercomputer has the potential to increase the impact of research and innovation by enabling new complementary solutions for businesses, research institutions and public organisations. It can also strengthen industrial and technological development in Spain.

Researchers in Finland have had access to the combination of a supercomputer and general-purpose quantum computer since November, when Helmi, the five-qubit quantum computer of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, was connected with LUMI, the largest supercomputer in Europe.

Quanscient bags EUR 3.9 million in funding

Quanscient in April announced it has raised 3.9 million euros in seed financing to further its expansion and product development.

The Tampere-based startup provides a cloud and quantum computing-powered platform that enables companies to conduct multiphysics simulations to not only accelerate product development and market entry, but also optimise the energy-efficiency and sustainability of products.

The platform promises time and cost savings particularly for companies that need to carry out complex simulations for, for instance, aerospace technologies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices or superconductor technologies, which are critical for fusion energy, according to Juha Riippi, CEO of Quanscient.

“With the existing solutions, it can take up to a month to run a superconductor simulation to provide feedback for product development,” he said. “Quanscient can do this in a few hours.”

The simulation technology has already been successfully trialled with some leading global companies, including Intel.

Riippi estimated that quantum simulations can replace more expensive and time-consuming physical tests, such as wind-tunnel tests for aerospace and automotive hardware. The simulation data, though, can additionally be used to train machine-learning models utilised in product development.

“The whole industry is in an interesting phase,” he told.

Led by Maki.vc, the financing round also secured the startup 446 000 euros in non-equity funding from Business Finland. Ilkka Kivimäki, founding partner at Maki.vc, said the venture capital fund is “thrilled” to be supporting Quanscient.

“Quanscient’s product delivers unforeseen speed, scale and accuracy for simulations. The product enables flexibility by allowing the users to combine any physics in a single simulation, providing unforeseen accuracy and usability when solving multiphysics problems,” he attested.

VTT spin-out to make quantum computers more affordable

SemiQon has taken its first steps toward developing a new kind of quantum processor chip in order to make future computers more affordable, scalable and sustainable.

After spinning out from VTT in February, the startup intends to build quantum chips from silicon semiconductors rather than non-standard materials, making the chips easier to manufacture and able to function at higher temperatures.

Its efforts are backed by Voima Ventures.

Scalability issues and prohibitive costs have limited the number of quantum computers globally to fewer than 100, according to SemiQon. The startup believes the relatively inexpensive and easy-to-replicate silicon quantum dot-based technology could facilitate scaling and slash production costs in part due to the existence of large-scale manufacturing processes and facilities for silicon chips, which are used in regular computers and electronics.

SemiQon operates one such pilot facility in Finland.

“The chips we manufacture also enable the quantum computer to operate at warmer temperatures – thus requiring only a fraction of the energy needed for alternative solutions,” said Himadri Majumdar, CEO of SemiQon.

The startup drew attention to the need to scale up the technology by reminding that although quantum computers excel at optimisation tasks, they will require millions instead of hundreds of qubits of processing power in order to, for example, accurately model viral transmission or innovate climate solutions.

IBM’s Osprey is presently the largest quantum computer in the world, clocking in at 433 qubits. The US company is expected to unveil the 1 121-qubit Condor in 2023.

“Globally, the vast majority of quantum investments have addressed superconducting and other qubit technologies. However, silicon semiconductor qubit technology is still underfunded – despite not being burdened with the scalability challenges that many other technologies face,” said Jussi Sainiemi, partner at Voima Ventures.