TNO Strengthens Dutch Quantum Ecosystem with Investment in Equal1

2025-02-09 semicon

Delft, Sunday, 9 February 2025.
TNO invests in Irish startup Equal1 to enhance the Dutch quantum sector, facilitating collaboration and leveraging local expertise for global quantum tech leadership.

Strategic Investment in Quantum Innovation

The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) announced its groundbreaking investment in Equal1 on February 8, 2025 [1][6], marking TNO’s first-ever investment in a non-TNO spin-off startup [4]. Equal1, founded in 2018 as a spin-off from University College Dublin, has established itself as a pioneer in quantum computing with approximately 45 employees [2][3]. The company specializes in developing full-stack quantum computers using silicon spin qubit technology, co-developed with TNO and Delft University of Technology [1].

Revolutionary Quantum Computing Technology

Equal1’s innovative approach focuses on integrating entire quantum computing systems onto single chips [3]. Their technology aims to democratize quantum computing by making it more accessible and affordable through their quantum-system-on-chip architecture [3]. The company has achieved significant technical milestones, including leading results on a 6-qubit array with a single-qubit fidelity of 99.4% and a gate speed of 84 ns [3]. Their solution targets practical applications in climate modeling, financial modeling, and AI applications [1].

Expansion into the Dutch Quantum Hub

As part of this strategic partnership, Equal1 is relocating a portion of its R&D operations to Delft, Netherlands [1][4]. The company will establish its presence at the House of Quantum, a national campus for quantum startups [6], where it will benefit from TNO’s expertise in nanofabrication and quantum infrastructure [2]. This move strengthens the Netherlands’ position as a global quantum technology hub [6].

Vision for the Future

According to Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1, “TNO’s investment accelerates the realization of our vision to build rack-mounted quantum computers capable of scaling to millions of high-performance qubits on a single quantum chip” [4][6]. TNO’s CEO, Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi, emphasizes that this investment represents their new strategy to support promising deep-tech startups and strengthen the Dutch high-tech ecosystem [4][5], addressing the slower growth of European startups compared to their American counterparts [2].

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TNO Quantum computing