Equal1, the silicon quantum computing company, today announced btov Industrial Technologies has joined Atlantic Bridge and other Equal1 investors in a multimillion Euro funding round. The funding, which will accelerate the introduction of the world’s most compact and cost-effective quantum computers, brings the initial capital invested in Equal1 to over €10 million.
The company also has announced the appointment of Dr. Christian Reitberger, Partner at btov, to the Equal1 board of directors. Reitberger brings to Equal1 deep-tech quantum experience and a passion for technologies that have the potential to improve the state of the world in a sustainable and significant way.
“We are excited to be part of this journey with the impressive Equal1 team,” says Reitberger. “Equal1 has a trajectory to create massively scalable quantum solutions for real applications without the need for an exotic new technology platform –leveraging existing semiconductor foundry processes to deliver quantum computing solutions that make artificial intelligence (AI) more efficient and sustainable.”
Equal1 is addressing a major challenge for the quantum computing industry – to scale the number of qubits so that a quantum computer can tackle useful, real-world problems. The company recently announced that it was the first to demonstrate a fully integrated quantum processor unit (QPU) operating at 3.7 kelvin ―a major milestone with implications for the trajectory of quantum computing. The QPU has been integrated into a quantum computer demonstrator (“Alice”) and has been operating continuously for 18 months at the company’s sites in Ireland and the U.S.
Alice, Equal1 quantum demonstrator
The company’s third generation QPU chip has been recently produced. This QPU includes the latest patented silicon qubit array as well as hybrid qubit test structures and high-speed input/output communication links used to bring high-speed data into the quantum core. With its QPU, Equal1 has developed a disruptive, scalable and cost-effective quantum computing technology, based on a commercially available silicon semiconductor process. This technology will enable the company to meet the enormous demand for affordable, functional quantum computers and the company is targeting a first-generation production system within 24 months.
“We have supported Equal1 from the very beginning and have been impressed and excited with what the team has achieved to date,” notes Gerry Maguire, General Partner at Atlantic Bridge and Equal1 board member. “With this new round of funding, we are confident that the team can deliver on its exciting goals of bringing the technology to market.”
“This is a wonderful validation of our unique qubit technology and integrated approach, protected by a portfolio of over 30 patents,” says Dirk Leipold, Founder and CEO of Equal1. “The support of a new, extremely knowledgeable deep tech investor in btov, along with the continued support of Atlantic Bridge will enable us to accelerate our development of a useful QPU and deliver on our vision of democratizing quantum computing.”
Equal1 has recently appointed a world renowned scientific advisory board and appointed Declan O’Mahoney, a seasoned tech CEO with multiple exits, as Non-Executive Chairman of its Board of Directors.
Equal1’s quantum technology is particularly suited to Quantum Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. AI is transforming every aspect of our lives from self-driving vehicles to AI-designed drugs. However, the amount of energy required by these applications means that it is now a material and growing contributor to global carbon output and hence global warming. Equal1’s quantum computing technology will enable vastly better performance at a fraction of the energy.
With research and development teams in Dublin, Ireland and Silicon Valley, Equal1 was founded by Dr Dirk Leipold, Mike Asker and Professor R Bogdan Staszewski. It is a spin-out from the University College Dublin School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
The investment is also supported by current investors 808 Ventures and Enterprise Ireland.
About btov
btov (@btovPartners) has been supporting outstanding European startups in non-obvious digital and industrial technologies since 2000. Our unfair advantage is the unique combination of our two dedicated Industrial and Digital Technology Fund teams and Europe’s strongest network of entrepreneurial private investors. In this Private Investor Network members not only get access to high-quality investment opportunities but also benefit from knowhow exchange and inter-generational learning through think tanks, academies, study tours and digital formats. btov has been actively backing semiconductor, photonics and quantum technology companies for more than a decade https://btov.vc/industrial-tech-fund/ .
About Atlantic Bridge
Atlantic Bridge is a Pan European Technology Growth Firm with 1.2b assets under management. Founded in 2004 by successful technology entrepreneurs and executives. With offices in Dublin, London, Munich, Paris and Palo Alto. Atlantic Bridge invests in deep tech sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Security, Digital Health and Computer Vision. With 8 Funds under management now including two University Funds, the Firm leverages its deep operational experience and unrivalled networks to help build deep technology companies into global market leaders across Europe, the US and Asia. http://www.abven.com