Equal1

Based in the US and Ireland, Equal1 develops quantum computers using silicon qubit technology, with a focus on quantum machine learning and quantum optimization. The company’s quantum-on-a-chip technology embeds quantum qubits, control, and read-out all on the same chip, enabling greater scalability. The company’s quantum demonstrator Alice—one placed in the US and another in Ireland—marked the first fully integrated quantum processor unit (QPU) to operate at 3.7 Kelvin. It has been operating continuously for more than two years without any disruptions.

Funding and financials

In October 2021, Equal1 secured a multi-million-euro investment (amount undisclosed) in a venture funding round co-led by Btov Industrial Technologies and Atlantic Bridge. The proceeds were expected to be directed toward building compact and affordable quantum computers to meet growing demand. Later in December 2021, the company was also awarded EUR 10 million (USD 11.3 million)—a mix of both equity and grant funding —from the European Innovation Council (EIC) accelerator program, established by the European Commission. The proceeds were earmarked for accelerating the development of the company’s quantum systems and establishing a production process for the systems by the end of 2023.