Expeditions Fund

A Cambridge-Canada collaboration in the field of quantum computers sees Nu Quantum , a Cambridge University spin-out, and sector innovator softwareQ Inc in Ontario advance a programme sponsored by the governments of both countries. https://lnkd.in/eWyt2jEd The duo are collaborating on a project to build the theoretical framework for the first fault tolerant quantum computer. Nu Quantum, led by Dr Carmen Palacios-Berraquero, and softwareQ Inc. – co-founded by Dr Vlad Gheorghiu and Professor Michele Mosca – will propose and benchmark practical architectural solutions. The motivation for the project is to tackle one of Quantum Computing’s biggest and most urgent challenges: scaling. In the current macroeconomic climate, the QC industry must be able to chart a clear path to Fault Tolerance and commercial relevance. Any such path will be underpinned by the ability to network QCs. This project will quantify the requirements of a network able to combine multiple small and currently-realisable QC 'nodes' into a larger, usable compute platform and aim to prove the feasibility of a system able to meet those requirements. Project Quarrefour was made possible through a joint program between the UK and Canadian governments. For Nu Quantum, the funding entity was Innovate UK under the competition ‘Canada UK Commercialising Quantum Technology Programme: CR&D’; for softwareQ, the funding entity was National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). Dr Vlad Gheorghiu, CEO and co-founder of softwareQ, said: “In partnering with Nu Quantum, we are not only forging a powerful collaboration between two pioneering entities but also fostering stronger ties between Canada and the UK in the realm of quantum computing. “Through our joint efforts, we aim to push the boundaries of quantum compiling, scalability, and fault-tolerance, unlocking new possibilities and paving the way for transformative applications.” Dr Carmen Palacios-Berraquero, founder and CEO at Nu Quantum, said: “Nu Quantum is on a path towards a solution for modular networking and high performance entanglement. This collaboration with softwareQ will help guide future development work towards architecting and building a fault tolerant networked quantum computer. We’re thrilled to be working on such an ambitious project with an outstanding partner.” Founded in 2018, Nu Quantum is a spin-out from the Cavendish Laboratory - Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge. Last November, the company raised an £8.5 million pre-series A round from main investors Amadeus Capital Partners, Expeditions Fund, and IQ Capital.