Finish Startup SemiQon Wins Backing for Million-Qubit Quantum Push

PostScriptum, the founder’s office led by Peter Sarlin, has taken a shareholder stake in SemiQon, a Finnish quantum hardware company building cryogenic electronics for quantum computers. The deal aims to speed up commercialization of chips that operate near absolute zero. SemiQon, based in Otaniemi, Espoo, calls the funding a step toward becoming a leading European quantum hardware supplier.

What SemiQon builds

SemiQon designs silicon-based Cryo-CMOS chips. These sit inside the cryostat and handle readout and control tasks close to the quantum processor itself. That placement cuts the wiring normally strung between a quantum chip and room-temperature electronics.

The wiring problem is one reason quantum machines are hard to scale. Today’s systems run on hundreds of qubits. SemiQon says its technology helps push toward hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of qubits, the point where quantum machines are expected to outperform classical supercomputers.

The chips already ship. In a July 3 press release, SemiQon said its components run in working quantum systems, and its customers include quantum computer manufacturers and system integrators. The company entered its commercial phase this spring after a three-year research period. Peter Sarlin, founder and chairman of PostScriptum, said:

“Quantum computing will define the next era of compute, and the million-qubit era will be powered by developments in control electronics, cooling and other enabling technologies.”

He called backing SemiQon “one of the most significant bets PostScriptum has made.

Why it isn’t tied to one approach

SemiQon’s Cryo-CMOS platform works with more than one style of quantum computer. Co-founder and CEO Himadri Majumdar said that flexibility has drawn customer interest. “Our support for multiple quantum computing modalities is a significant advantage,” he said.

The chips’ production involves using standard silicon semiconductor methods and equipment. That means it’s possible to produce them at industrial volumes without inventing a new manufacturing process. The company designs and manufactures its products in-house.

The technology reaches beyond quantum computers, and SemiQon points to uses in space technology and high-performance computing.

SemiQon launched in 2023 to commercialize work developed at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Antti Vasara, chair of SemiQon’s board, said the country has become a hub for quantum research and commercialization in Europe. As he said:

“When we first spoke with Peter, we immediately saw an opportunity to build a new success story around SemiQon’s technology.”

The companies didn’t disclose the size of the investment in the press release, though Sarlin said in his LinkedIn post that “PostScriptum is commiting €30M to quantum – to build a strong acctor with the necessary control electronics, cooling and other enabling technologies to scale quantum for the million-qubit era.”