Investors in the quantum technology sector are eagerly putting their money into promising startups, despite the fact that the arrival of widespread quantum computing technology may still be years away. The latest beneficiary of this investor confidence is Dutch startup Orange Quantum Systems, which recently raised €1.5mn in pre-seed funding.
Scaling quantum technology presents numerous challenges, including decoherence, error correction, and maintaining the quality and consistency of qubits. Additionally, algorithms, hardware complexity, and energy consumption must all be addressed. Orange Quantum Systems has set its sights on a specific bottleneck in the quantum supply chain—efficiently testing quantum computer chips.
The testing of quantum chips is a vital step in ensuring their reliability and functionality. Currently, this process requires weeks of work in a dedicated cryogenic facility under the supervision of highly skilled engineers. Orange Quantum Systems aims to streamline this process with its complete room temperature equipment stack, specifically designed for quantum chip testing. Leveraging automation and proprietary software libraries, the company believes it can significantly reduce the time, cost, and complexity associated with testing these chips.
Dr. Adriaan Rol, Director of Research and Development at Orange QS, highlights the challenges of testing quantum chips and the need for industry-level foundry processes combined with fast test equipment. The funds raised will be used to develop Orange QS’ “next generation” test equipment, which aims to be the first turnkey solution optimized for high-speed qubit testing. In addition to the funding received, the startup has also secured a grant from the European Innovation Council’s EIC Accelerator.
Orange Quantum Systems, a spinout from TNO (the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), is based in Delft, the Netherlands. With a team of 17 employees and top advisors from ASML and NXP, the company is poised to revolutionize quantum chip testing and contribute to the advancement of quantum technology.