Based on VTT’s world-leading research in cryogenic CMOSs and their integration with qubit technology, VTT spin-off SemiQon’s innovative solution paves the way for ultimate scaling of quantum processors.
Key facts
Scalability, sustainability and price aspects are slowing down the development of quantum computers.
VTT spin-off company SemiQon develops quantum integrated chip technology that enables affordable and scalable quantum computers.
VTT helped SemiQon raise its technology readiness level and provided the expertise and facilities for the company to launch independent operations.
SemiQon builds silicon-based quantum hardware solutions for the million-qubit era. The company’s mission is to realise the promise of quantum computing by delivering scalability through powerful, resilient and cost-effective quantum hardware solutions. SemiQon’s technology builds upon decades of development and know-how from the semiconductor industry, making its silicon-based solutions commercially competitive and well-suited for mass production. Operating at Micronova in Espoo, Finland, SemiQon spun out of the VTT Launchpad incubator in early 2023.
Scalability issues limit development of quantum computing
Quantum computers have the potential to one day solve many problems that are difficult for classic computers, such as the efficient and fast development of drugs, the manufacturing of more climate friendly and better materials and the optimisation of logistics. For quantum computers to become truly useful in this sense, they would need to operate with millions of qubits instead of hundreds – which is what exists today. Due to scalability issues, there are currently less than 100 quantum computers in the world, and they can cost 10M€ or more to build.
SemiQon’s solution overcomes these challenges by utilising already commercialised semiconductor materials and design and manufacturing technology. The chips manufactured by SemiQon could also allow for quantum computers to operate at a higher temperature than before, which would minimise the need for infrastructure and energy consumption.
Affordable, scalable processors born from VTT’s expertise
The technology on which SemiQon is based was developed at VTT during the past 10 to 15 years, with research led by founding members, Chief Science Officer Janne Lehtinen and Chief Research Officer Mika Prunnila. Joined by two other former VTT employees – CEO Himadri Majumdar and Fabrication lead Markku Kainlauri – the company brings together decades of expertise in quantum and microelectronics, along with strong knowledge of the European and global quantum industry.
With technology licensed from VTT, the founding team started work on the first pieces of crucial intellectual property (IP) as well as a business strategy for SemiQon in 2022, as part of the VTT LaunchPad incubator. CEO Majumdar says that VTT’s research infrastructure had a crucial role in raising the startup’s technology readiness level, and he appreciates the organisation’s focus of developing commercially competitive innovations and pushing them out to the market.
“The world-class equipment available at VTT for manufacturing and testing the chips has been very important for us as a small company that cannot invest tens of millions of euros into necessary infrastructure. The Micronova hub allows startups like us to take the next step in building and growing a business,” Majumdar says, adding that the ongoing development of the facilities ensures that SemiQon will remain competitive well into the future.
“We at VTT are focusing on quantum technology research and developing methods and technologies that enable the scale up of quantum systems. In addition to providing access to shared use cleanrooms, we support partners like SemiQon to turn research into viable business ‒ from R&D and IP generation to spin-off creation. With our deep expertise and innovation-driven environment, we are uniquely positioned to develop quantum technologies and help companies take ideas from lab to fab," says Tauno Vähä-Heikkilä, Vice President, Microelectronics and Quantum technology at VTT.
VTT is an integral part of our future business plan, as we won’t have to invest in our own infrastructure for the next five to seven years.
Accelerating innovation through strategic cooperation
During the cooperation, VTT has provided SemiQon with:
The startup accelerator programme
World-class expertise in quantum research and microelectronics
Piloting and manufacturing facilities
Streamlined technology transfer to companies.
Majumdar points out that VTT’s role and involvement has changed according to the lifecycle of the company, with VTT currently both maintaining the facilities and acting as a research partner.
“As SemiQon is now moving into the commercial stage, we are still carrying out some product development in cooperation with VTT. In a sense, our commercial engagement with VTT has increased even further as a client of the manufacturing facilities. They are an integral part of our future business plan, as we won’t have to invest in our own infrastructure for the next five to seven years.”
Considering other benefits, Majumdar sees the cooperation strengthening both parties’ position, for example, in jointly funded public projects, and values VTT’s role in creating a national research strategy that aligns with companies in the ecosystem.
“Also, we hope that VTT’s continued research will generate new IP that we can license for our future products and development.”
Roadmap to quantum commercialisation and European chip sovereignty
SemiQon is moving from startup to scaleup stage, having recently secured significant financing from the European Innovation Council. The funding will help to speed up commercialisation and diversify the company’s business to domains beyond the quantum industry. While continuing its mission of developing the most scalable, sustainable and cost-effective quantum integrated circuits in the world, SemiQon is starting to generate revenue through its pioneering cryogenic CMOS product line for which it sees strong customer demand.
Majumdar points out that SemiQon differs from many chip companies using so-called fabless manufacturing, i.e. outsourcing their production to semiconductor foundries, some of which are located outside Europe.
“We have access to the fabrication facilities and own both the design and manufacturing IP. The EU has been pushing for more chip manufacturing in Europe, and we are happy to contribute to this goal,” Majumdar concludes.
Micronova piloting environment and the Kvanttinova ecosystem
Micronova attracts ground-breaking technology companies such as SemiQon to further develop their innovations. This success is about to be scaled up with the Kvanttinova ecosystem. VTT’s Kvanttinova piloting environment will include state-of-the-art equipment for chip development and pilot production on 200 mm and 300 mm wafers. The focus technologies include quantum technologies, post-CMOS processing, MEMS, RF technologies, integrated photonics and material development. VTT is part of the Chip JU pilot lines FAMES, APECS, NanoIC and PIXEurope.
