C12, a French quantum computing startup based by twin brothers, raises $19.4 million

C12 is saying that it lately raised an €18 million funding spherical ($19.4 million at right now’s change fee). Initially based in 2020 as a spin-off from the Physics Laboratory of the École Normale Supérieure, the corporate has been engaged on a novel course of to create quantum computer systems primarily based on carbon nanotubes.

Whereas the idea of quantum computing isn’t new, it’s nonetheless very a lot a piece in progress. Many scientific groups have been approaching this matter from completely different angles. The purpose is to create a quantum pc at scale that may execute calculations with a low quantity of errors.

However wait, why do we want quantum computer systems within the first place? Computer systems as they exist right now are fully primarily based on digital transistors. And we’ve grow to be actually good at making transistors smaller so we are able to pack extra transistors in a single chip. In consequence, computing energy has progressed at an exponential tempo over the previous 60 years.

And but, the present pc structure has its limits. Even when corporations begin constructing larger information facilities, some issues merely can’t be solved with conventional computer systems. Additionally it is unclear whether or not Moore’s legislation will stay legitimate within the years to come back.

That is the place quantum computer systems may show helpful.

“If we wish to create a mannequin — an exhaustive simulation of a chemical response — to understand how new medication are going to work together with our cells, that’s not doable with a standard method,” C12 co-founder and CEO Pierre Desjardins (pictured proper) informed TechCrunch.

“There are a complete host of optimization issues to be solved, whether or not in transport, logistics or manufacturing. They’re unattainable to run on a standard pc as a result of there can be too many variables, too many doable eventualities,” he continued.

Matthieu Desjardins, his brother, has a PhD in quantum physics and acts because the CTO of the corporate. In some unspecified time in the future in our dialog, Pierre Desjardins even known as his brother a “scientific genius.”

And since it’s 2024, there’s even an AI angle that ought to persuade you that quantum computing analysis is necessary. “Right now, coaching a big language mannequin additionally means consuming an unlimited quantity of power,” Pierre Desjardins mentioned. “And quantum can also be a computing methodology that makes use of a lot much less power.”

The best way to construct a quantum pc

C12 says the 2 key variations with the opposite groups engaged on quantum computer systems are that it makes use of a distinct materials — carbon nanotubes — and it has a particular manufacturing course of — a nano-assembly course of that’s now patented.

“Right now, I feel we’re the one ones on the earth to manage this very particular course of, which entails placing a carbon nanotube on high of a silicon chip. And what’s completely fascinating is the dimensions. The diameter of a carbon nanotube is 10,000 instances smaller than a human hair,” Pierre Desjardins mentioned.

Analysis groups working for large corporations like Google, IBM or Amazon are at present specializing in a distinct course of. Most of them are utilizing superconducting supplies, corresponding to aluminum, on high of a silicon substrate.

In response to C12, whereas this methodology has led to early breakthroughs. Nevertheless, utilizing aluminum isn’t going to work at scale as a consequence of interferences as you begin including extra qubits. Whereas quantum isn’t mature but, C12 believes it’s engaged on next-generation quantum computing in comparison with these aluminum-based processes.

The corporate has arrange its first manufacturing line in a basement close to the Pantheon in Paris. On this facility, they manufacture carbon nanotubes, management these tubes after which combine them with the silicon substrate.

“It’s now up and operating. Right now, we produce about one chip every week, which we then take a look at in our mini information heart,” Pierre Desjardins mentioned. However don’t count on to see a quantum pc simply but. “We’re nonetheless actually simply validating elementary components,” he added. The corporate is specializing in chips with one or two qubits for the second.

Emulating quantum

As analysis and growth work progresses, the C12 crew can also be engaged on its enterprise ecosystem. Like many quantum corporations, C12 has created an emulator known as Callisto. Emulators let builders write and run some quantum code on a classical pc.

They’re not going to get the outcomes they’d get with a quantum pc, however at the very least they are going to be able to hit the bottom operating when quantum computer systems can be found.

“We’re at present specializing in two verticals, the chemical business and the power business. The chemical business makes use of it to simulate chemical reactions and the power business makes use of it primarily for optimization issues,” Pierre Desjardins mentioned. Particularly, the startup has a partnership with Air Liquide.

And if we return to the funding spherical, Varsity Capital, EIC Fund and Verve Ventures are investing in it; current buyers 360 Capital, Bpifrance’s Digital Enterprise fund and BNP Paribas Développement are additionally collaborating as soon as once more on this spherical.

There are 45 individuals from 18 completely different nationalities working for C12 right now, together with 22 PhDs. With the lately raised capital, C12 plans to signal extra partnerships with industrial companions. However the firm additionally has a analysis purpose.

“The opposite purpose is to hold out, for the primary time, a quantum operation between two qubits which are situated at an extended distance from one another,” Pierre Desjardins mentioned. By lengthy distance, he means “tens of micrometers” from one another. It doesn’t appear to be a lot, however it is going to be key relating to scaling quantum computing.