Helsinki-based startup Arctic Instruments, a spinout from Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre, has raised €2.3 million in funding to advance its superconducting microwave amplifier technology. The funding round, led by Finnish venture capital firm Lifeline Ventures, will support the company’s efforts to scale quantum computing by improving the quality and availability of critical amplifiers.
A Crucial Step for Quantum Computing
Quantum computing faces significant challenges in scaling up, particularly in ensuring the quality and consistency of its components. Amplifiers are a cornerstone of this process, enabling precise measurement of qubit states, a key factor in quantum computing performance. Current quantum computers, typically with around 100 qubits, require 10–20 amplifiers. Scaling to 10,000 qubits, a future milestone, would demand thousands of high-quality amplifiers.
Arctic Instruments stands out in this space, being the only manufacturer currently capable of producing amplifiers in the required volumes and with the necessary precision. These amplifiers operate near the quantum limit, meaning they add the minimal possible noise to measurements, as dictated by the laws of physics.
Industry Leadership
Joonas Govenius, CEO and Co-founder of Arctic Instruments, highlighted the company’s unique position:
“We have reached a level of maturity where our capability to fabricate and test our amplifiers in volume is industry-leading. Scaling quantum computers without compromising quality is one of the field’s biggest challenges. Our near-quantum-limited amplifiers contribute significantly to accurate qubit state measurements, and with this funding, we can accelerate our development efforts.”
Scaling Quantum Impact
As the quantum computing industry grows, its potential applications in industries such as chemicals, life sciences, finance, and mobility could drive economic gains of up to $2 trillion by 2035, according to McKinsey. Scaling quantum computers to unlock this potential relies heavily on innovations like those Arctic Instruments provides.
A Product of Expertise and Innovation
Arctic Instruments was founded by scientists specializing in superconducting circuits, leveraging years of research and development at VTT. The amplifiers represent a culmination of interdisciplinary expertise and innovation aimed at addressing one of quantum computing’s most critical challenges.
Timo Ahopelto, founding partner at Lifeline Ventures, emphasized the significance of the company’s achievement:
“Arctic Instruments is a competent team that has been able to create a product that solves one of quantum computing’s most critical challenges. The product is based on several years of research. It is very difficult to produce a component that is accurate and reliable at the same time, and works today.”
Looking Ahead
With its cutting-edge amplifiers and new funding, Arctic Instruments is poised to play a pivotal role in scaling quantum computing. The company’s advancements not only represent progress in technology but also signal a leap toward solving complex real-world problems in industries poised to benefit from quantum computing breakthroughs.
