Dutch Research Giant Teams with French Startup to Industrialize Quantum Computing
Delft, Sunday, 18 January 2026.
TNO, the Netherlands’ leading research organization, has partnered with French quantum startup Quobly to accelerate silicon spin qubit manufacturing for commercial quantum computers. This collaboration combines TNO’s advanced materials testing facilities with Quobly’s semiconductor-compatible quantum chip designs to solve critical manufacturing bottlenecks that have kept quantum technology in laboratories rather than industrial production lines.
Strategic Partnership Addresses Manufacturing Bottleneck
The research collaboration, announced on January 16, 2026, represents a significant step toward commercializing quantum computing technology [2][3]. TNO, an independent research institution based in the Netherlands, brings its Quantum Information Technology Test Facility (QITT) and advanced cryogenic characterization capabilities to the partnership [2]. Quobly, described as a top French quantum microelectronics startup based in Grenoble, contributes its CMOS-compatible quantum chip platform and experience with silicon spin qubit design [1][2]. The collaboration specifically targets the ‘materials-to-manufacturing’ bottleneck that has prevented silicon spin qubit technology from moving beyond laboratory settings [3].
Understanding Silicon Spin Qubit Technology
Silicon spin qubits represent a promising approach to building scalable quantum computers due to their compatibility with existing semiconductor manufacturing processes [GPT]. Unlike other quantum computing approaches that require exotic materials or extreme conditions, silicon spin qubits can potentially leverage the same CMOS fabrication processes used in conventional computer chips [4]. Quobly’s platform builds on this compatibility, offering a pathway to industrial-scale quantum processor manufacturing using established semiconductor infrastructure [4]. The technology manipulates the quantum spin states of electrons trapped in silicon quantum dots, creating qubits that can maintain quantum coherence while being controlled through electrical signals [GPT].
Tackling Critical Performance Issues
The partnership focuses on identifying and mitigating critical defect mechanisms that limit silicon spin qubit performance and manufacturability [2][3]. Maud Vinet, CEO and co-founder of Quobly, emphasized that ‘industrializing silicon quantum hardware requires precise and expert insight into materials behavior’ [2]. The collaboration combines Quobly’s device engineering expertise with TNO’s deep materials science knowledge to understand how material properties impact qubit performance [4]. Dr. Saurabh Karwal, Business Development Manager at TNO, noted that their cryogenic characterization capabilities provide the detailed materials insights needed to accelerate scalable quantum technology deployment [2].
European Quantum Technology Leadership
This partnership strengthens Europe’s position in the global quantum technology race by connecting industrial semiconductor manufacturing capabilities with advanced materials analysis [2]. The collaboration reinforces what industry observers describe as the ‘quantum corridor’ between France and the Netherlands, building on existing quantum technology ecosystems in both countries [3]. TNO’s mission to connect research and industry aligns with broader European efforts to move quantum computing from prototype to production through cross-border collaboration [4]. The partnership enables faster design iterations and supports data-driven device optimization, potentially shortening development loops essential for bringing silicon spin qubits to large-scale manufacturing [4].