The race to build powerful quantum computers is heating up, with tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google making strides in developing advanced quantum chips. However, Dutch startup QuantWare is taking a different approach—focusing on practical scalability in quantum processing units (QPUs) to accelerate quantum computing’s commercial viability.
A Startup Making Waves in Quantum Hardware
Founded in 2020 as a spinout of TU Delft and QuTech, QuantWare has already made a name for itself in the quantum industry. The company claims its hardware powers quantum computers in 20 countries, positioning itself as a key player in the growing quantum ecosystem.
At the heart of QuantWare’s innovation is VIO, a proprietary 3D chip architecture designed to tackle the biggest challenge in quantum computing: scaling up QPUs. While quantum computing firms worldwide are racing to increase the number of qubits—the quantum equivalent of bits—QuantWare’s approach focuses on integrating more qubits on a single chip rather than networking smaller systems. This method reduces errors and enhances computational power, a crucial step toward making quantum computing more efficient and accessible.
Securing Funding to Scale Up
QuantWare’s progress has attracted significant investment. The startup recently secured a €20 million Series A funding round (about $19.27 million), co-led by Invest-NL Deep Tech Fund and InnovationQuarter, solidifying its role in the Netherlands’ quantum landscape. This round includes a €5 million equity portion from the European Innovation Council, which previously backed QuantWare with a €7.5 million grant and a €6 million seed round.
With this funding, QuantWare plans to expand its team, advance its VIO technology, and develop its chip-fabrication facilities. The company is also focusing on Contralto-A, its first QPU designed for quantum error correction, a crucial feature for scaling up quantum systems.
A Roadmap to Commercial Quantum Hardware
While Google’s Willow processor has drawn attention for its quantum error correction capabilities, QuantWare is pursuing a long-term, upgradable roadmap. The Contralto-A QPU is designed for future scalability, and QuantWare claims it is almost twice as large as competing commercially available solutions.
Beyond developing its own QPUs, QuantWare is taking a dual strategy:
- Manufacturing and distributing its proprietary QPUs.
- Licensing its technology through Foundry and Packaging Services, allowing other quantum computing firms to leverage its innovations.
This approach aligns with QuantWare’s commitment to open quantum architecture, making quantum hardware more accessible to a wider range of researchers and companies.
Collaborating with Industry Leaders
QuantWare is working closely with other quantum startups and research institutes to drive innovation. Companies like Alice & Bob ($104 million raised), Quantum Machines ($170 million raised), and SEEQC ($30 million raised) are already using QuantWare’s technology to develop next-generation quantum solutions.
While tech giants like Microsoft continue to push for quantum architectures capable of reaching one million qubits, QuantWare believes its VIO platform can play a pivotal role in getting there faster.
The Future of Quantum Computing
CEO Matthijs Rijlaarsdam sees a future where quantum computers solve problems beyond the reach of even the most powerful AI clusters. From developing advanced materials and breaking down microplastics to improving fertilizer sustainability, quantum computing holds the potential to revolutionize industries.
“There is a large and valuable class of problems that even a gigawatt AI cluster will not be able to solve — but quantum computers will,” Rijlaarsdam told TechCrunch.
For QuantWare, the question isn’t who will build the first million-qubit system—it’s how soon the world can get there. And with its VIO technology and open quantum approach, the Dutch startup is determined to help make that breakthrough happen.