A quantum computing company based in East Sussex has launched a chip that it says will “significantly” accelerate the industry’s goal of building computers with millions of high quality qubits, as it called for more funding and support for UK firms in the sector.
Universal Quantum’s iQPU, an integrated quantum processing unit, can be produced in a standard semiconductor foundry, which helps to reduce its cost. The chips can be linked to one another using proprietary technology without creating additional calculation errors, enabling “utility-scale” computers that can be built using the same infrastructure. Qubits are the basic unit of information in quantum computing.
Sebastian Weidt, who developed the technology with co-founder Winfried Hensinger at the University of Sussex and is now commercialising it, said multiple iQPU chips will be included in a trapped-ion quantum computer being built under contract for the German Aerospace Center.
“In the quantum sector connecting chips together in a quantum way is really hard. Not many people know how to do it at high quality and high speeds and this is something we have worked out,” he said.
Weidt, 39, said Universal Quantum did not disclose when it expected to have a utility-scale computer capable of making calculations without errors. However, he said he expected major progress in the field in the “next three to five years”.
Call for more support
He called for more funding and support for the sector, arguing that Britain still had an opportunity to build a trillion-dollar company in quantum computing, but that the remaining independent players were being influenced by where their investment and contracts come from.
“We definitely need more support. It is a global race,” he said. “If we are looking at what is happening in different countries on the direct investment side into quantum computing companies and also on the non-dilutive side around contracting we are seeing strong, nationalistic thinking and that isn’t quite what we are seeing here in the UK.
“On the contracting side we are seeing too much money go abroad. Shouldn’t our taxpayer money be spent on supporting what we have here? Especially given we are in this very unique position still that we could build a trillion dollar company in the UK. Quantum does give us that opportunity.”
On 17 March the government announced a package worth up to £2bn for quantum technologies, including £1bn for procuring large-scale quantum computers through a programme called ProQure, under which companies were invited to propose prototypes for evaluation. On the same day, Rachel Reeves set out plans aimed at stopping UK tech firms from moving abroad.
Expansion overseas
As part of a $100m fundraising in October, Universal Quantum committed to a research and development centre in Singapore. EDBI, the investment arm of Singapore’s Economic Development Board, was one of the leading investors. The round was led by US deep tech investor DCVC.
The company is also expanding its operations in the US, as well as in Hamburg, where it has government contracts.
Weidt said such decisions were the “commercial reality” of where money could be sourced and where work could be won. “We need to follow the money to some extent and we need to stay globally competitive,” he said.
“But I believe the home nation should be right there, as we are seeing in many other countries with homegrown capabilities: they are very protective of them and they make sure they have the right environment. In the UK it is a bit more selective.”
Weidt also confirmed that the company considered approaches earlier this year to reverse into a Nasdaq-listed special purpose vehicle, known as a Spac. “We have been approached by Spac sponsors to do [one]. We have decided not to do that and that remains our stance,” he said.
Universal Quantum was founded in 2018 and has its head office in Haywards Heath. It has reported revenues of £9.2m and pre-tax losses of £7.9m. It employed 85 people at the start of the year, including 70 in research and development and engineering.
