TNO is investing in Irish quantum startup Equal1. The company is targeting the development of a so-called Quantum System-on-Chip (QSoC) equipped with an AI layer. TNO is not only contributing financially to the project, but also expertise.
A quantum computer is computer that uses quantum mechanics to perform calculations. Whereas a classical computer works with bits, a quantum computer uses so-called quantum bits (qubit). A characteristic of a qubit is that it can be a 0 and 1 at the same time, instead of just one of the two. This is also called superposition and in practice means that a quantum computer can perform multiple calculations in parallel.
Solving highly complex problems quickly and efficiently
In addition, quantum computing makes use of another unique property of quantum mechanics: entanglement. This allows qubits to connect to each other even if they are far apart. Does the input of a qubit change? Then the state of the entangled qubit immediately changes with it. This makes it possible to control a large number of qubits simultaneously. Together with superposition, entanglement ensures that quantum computers can perform calculations that regular computers cannot handle.
This allows quantum computers to solve highly complex problems quickly and efficiently. The technology offers great opportunities in practice. For instance, TNO points out that quantum computers could lead to future breakthroughs in climate modelling, financial modelling and AI, among other things.
Strong link to the Netherlands
Equal1 was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from University College Dublin. It employs around 45 people. The Irish startup focuses on developing its own quantum computer. This includes a strong link to the Netherlands; the company uses silicon spin qubits. This is a technology developed in recent years by TNO in collaboration with Delft University of Technology.
The start-up is working on UnityQ, a so-called QSoC that integrates quantum computing and regular computing power into a single chip. This offers several advantages, according to Equal1. For instance, the system is scalable to millions of qubits on a single chip, the solution is cost-efficient to produce which can increase accessibility to quantum computing, and the QSoC has a compact form factor suitable for existing data centres.
Part of R&D moves to the Netherlands
To support the development of its quantum computer, the company is moving part of its R&D activities to the Netherlands. In doing so, it aims to take full advantage of TNO's technology and expertise in nanofabrication, infrastructure and advanced materials developed by Delft University of Technology. In doing so, Equal1 will move into the House of Quantum, a national campus for startups in quantum technology.
Jason Lynch, CEO Equal1: "TNO's investment in Equal1 accelerates the realisation of our vision to build rack-mounted quantum computers that can scale up to millions of high-performance qubits on a single quantum chip. TNO is a leader in the field of quantum. We are grateful for their support as this collaboration is a milestone in our roadmap towards developing the world's most scalable, practical and energy-efficient quantum computers."
New strategy of TNO
TNO is investing for the first time in a startup that was not created as a TNO spin-off. The investment is part of a new strategy of the organisation. In doing so, it wants to contribute to a network of startups in areas where TNO does research. The aim is to help startups and scale-ups scale up faster. TNO is thereby aiming for more intensive cooperation, with the aim of strengthening the ecosystem of potential customers and cooperation partners for the Dutch high-tech industry. The organisation points to analyses showing that too few deep-tech startups grow into scale-ups, and scale-ups in turn are relatively eager to grow compared to US counterparts.
Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi, CEO TNO: "This investment in Equal1 is a first concrete illustration of our new strategy to support promising deep-tech startups and scale-ups and strengthen the Dutch high-tech ecosystem. In this way, TNO helps companies make global impact faster, thereby strengthening the Dutch economy, accelerating transitions and boosting employment."
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
