Quobly Secures Major Funding for Quantum Leap
The French startup Quobly has successfully raised €115 million in a Series A funding round, marking one of Europe’s largest investments in quantum computing this year. Led by Bpifrance, SEALSQ, and STMicroelectronics, this funding aims to propel the commercialisation of silicon-based quantum computers, with plans to launch their first cloud-accessible quantum system by late 2026.
Transforming Quantum Computing
Founded in 2022 in Grenoble by Maud Vinet, Tristan Meunier, and François Perruchot, Quobly is poised to revolutionize the quantum computing landscape by leveraging existing semiconductor manufacturing processes. Unlike many competitors that focus on exotic hardware architectures, Quobly’s innovative approach utilizes silicon qubits manufactured using FD-SOI technology on 300mm wafers, which aligns with current semiconductor industry standards.
According to Philippe Delmas, Chairman of the Board at Quobly, “Quobly combines breakthrough scientific innovation with industrial execution, positioning itself at the intersection of quantum computing and semiconductor manufacturing.” This positions the startup to potentially overcome scalability issues that have historically plagued quantum computing.
Addressing Scalability Challenges
The primary hurdle in the quantum computing sector has been the challenge of scalability. Many existing quantum systems are intricate to manufacture, often requiring specialized materials and infrastructures. Quobly aims to mitigate these issues by designing quantum processors that fit seamlessly into existing data center architecture, thus allowing organizations to adopt quantum technology without major infrastructure overhauls.
Competitive Landscape
Quobly is entering a competitive market, facing rivals such as Pasqal, which recently raised €100 million, and IQM, which secured €128 million for advancing its superconducting technology. Additionally, PsiQuantum, based in the US, has raised over $2.1 billion to develop photonic quantum computing. However, Quobly’s focus on semiconductor compatibility could provide a significant edge, offering a faster path to large-scale quantum systems.
Investor Confidence in Semiconductor Approach
Investors are increasingly backing Quobly due to its partnerships with industry giants like STMicroelectronics and Air Liquide, providing access to essential expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and industrial process control. As governments and enterprises recognize quantum computing’s potential as a strategic technology, Quobly stands out as a contender for industrial deployment.
With this latest funding, Quobly plans to enhance the performance and scalability of its quantum systems, aiming to position itself as a leader in the next generation of computing technologies.
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