Quandela

• Bereich: Photonic Quantum Computing
• Hauptsitz: Massy, France (with offices in Germany, Canada, South Korea)
• Gegründet: 2017

Core Innovation & Technology: Quandela is a leader in full-stack photonic quantum computing. Their primary innovation lies in their eDelight solid-state single-photon source. This proprietary technology is crucial because it effectively eliminates barriers to the scalable manipulation of single-photon qubits. Unlike some other quantum computing approaches, Quandela uses photons (particles of light) as their qubits, which can be less prone to decoherence issues than other qubit types.

Their approach involves:

• Photonic Quantum Processing Units (QPUs): These are designed and manufactured by Quandela, leveraging light to perform quantum computations.
• Photonic Chip: Within the chip, single-photon states undergo configurable unitary transformations, effectively executing the quantum circuit.
• Single Photon Detection: Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors at the chip output register the photons, and detection times are processed.
• Cloud Accessibility: Quandela offers their quantum computers (like “Belenos,” their 12-photonic-qubit machine) via a cloud platform, making their cutting-edge solutions accessible to researchers and businesses globally. This democratizes access to quantum computing.

Schlüsselmerkmale und Unterscheidungsmerkmale:

• Modular and Scalable Architecture: Their photonic approach allows for a modular, scalable, upgradeable, and energy-efficient architecture.
• Error Protection: While quantum computers are inherently sensitive, their photonic approach can offer some advantages in reducing certain types of errors.
• Full-Stack Solution: Quandela develops both the hardware (quantum devices) and the software (quantum algorithms and cloud platform), offering a complete ecosystem.
• Application Focus: While supporting fundamental research, they also target practical applications in fields like materials science (e.g., computing ground-state energy of molecules using VQE algorithms), finance, automotive, defense & security, and logistics.

Marktposition & Meilensteine:

Recognized Leader: Named a “Deep Tech Champion 2024” by Systematic Paris-Region, a major European deep technology cluster.

Significant Funding: Quandela secured over €65 million in funding since its creation, including a €50 million round in November 2023 from investors like Serena, Credit Mutuel Innovation, the European Innovation Council Fund, and existing investors. They also received support from the French government’s “France 2030 Plan.”

International Expansion: The recent funding is aimed at expediting international expansion and increasing production.

Growing User Base: Their cloud platform serves over 1,200 researchers and partner companies in 30 countries, with a growing percentage of business users.

Technological Milestones: They have demonstrated CNOT quantum gates based on photons emitted by quantum dots and are progressing rapidly on their Roadmap 2030, with their 12-qubit Belenos exceeding Moore’s Law progression.