It is generally regarded that 1981 was the year quantum computing first appeared to the world. The Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman, a quantum visionary, had given a seminal speech at the First Conference on the Physics of Computation, organized in collaboration with MIT and IBM. Since then we witnessed numerous quantum software companies trying to develop quantum algorithms
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Unfortunately, a classical computer is inadequate at dealing with this as the exponential growth of data in a quantum system is far beyond its limits utilizing sub-exponential space and time complexity. A quantum computer, however — based on a quantum software system that makes use of the non-classical properties — can process exponentially large amounts of data in only polynomial time. This is the uniqueness of the system.
With such a show of computational force using quantum software, there are several fields that can benefit outside the remit of Newtonian mechanics. These include, but are not exclusive to, mathematics, cryptography and information theory.
And if you want to learn more about QC companies in general, we’ve compiled the most comprehensive list of the top quantum computing companies available!
16 Quantum Computing Software Companies
TQD thought it is time to put out its own list of the quantum software companies that are developing quantum algorithms to service the growing ecosystem. Our list is based on the wealth of data available at The Quantum Insider (TQI), our very own data platform.
I have omitted all the large public companies, for one, though there are still several big private players represented. Why? Well, it’s always good to give the smaller fish a chance, isn’t it?
1. 1QBit
1QBit is a Canadian quantum computing company founded in 2012 that seeks to apply computation to ML and optimization science via its hardware-agnostic software platform. And its 1Qloud™ platform — using novel quantum-inspired optimization solutions — is part of this.
This hardware-agnostic approach allows researchers, developers and data scientists to exploit the amazing power of computers inspired by quantum mechanics and state-of-the-art quantum-based algorithms without prior knowledge of “each individual hardware platform or to manage complex and expensive computing infrastructure.”
1QBit’s Graph-Based Molecular Similarity (GMS) tool will be adopted by pharmaceutical companies to perform virtual screening and assisting in drug discovery while the company’s Quantum-Inspired Hierarchical Risk Parity (QHRP) method utilizes quantum-inspired technology and advanced hardware accelerator and is just the thing for optimizing portfolios.
Have routing and scheduling headaches? 1QBit’s Advanced Routing and Scheduling Platform combines the power of quantum-inspired hardware with novel formulations to eradicate complex logistical and mobility problems and optimize production tasks etc.
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2. Algorithmiq
Founded in 2020, Algorithmiq is a quantum software company based in Turku, Finland and focuses on complex system approaches combined with quantum algorithms to tackle computationally costly problems in drug design. Still very much in stealth mode as we speak, get ready to hear more from this company in the very near future.
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3. Cambridge Quantum Computing
One of the most high-profile quantum companies in the British Isles, Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC) was founded back in 2014. Its t|ket⟩™ platform, an “architecture agnostic quantum software stack and ‘best in class’ compiler, translates machine-independent algorithms into executable circuits, optimizing for physical qubit layout whilst reducing the number of required operations.”
Along with this, CQC offers clients a suite of quantum algorithms for applications and programs.
In January of this year, the company announced its partnership with Roche. The collaboration with help design and implement noisy-intermediate-scale-quantum (NISQ) algorithms for early-stage drug discovery and development.
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4. BEIT
A Polish quantum software company established in 2016 with headquarters in Krakow, BEIT designs and implements quantum-inspired algorithms that solve all the relevant NP-complete class of problems.
BEIT’S algorithms offer solutions in vehicle routing. The startup’s QUBO Solver, on the other hand, returns optimal qubits assignment with its theoretical probability. The library for simplifying writing quantum programs in Python, called QUASAR, is available as open-source at GitHub and can be easily integrated with IBM Qiskit, Google Cirq, and OpenQASM.
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5. CLASSIQ
CLASSIQ is an exciting quantum company from Israel. Founded in 2020, the company’s unique IP translates innovative ideas into original quantum algorithms.
So how does it do this? CLASSIQ’s platform synthesizes and analyzes any quantum circuit of your choosing. Compatible with all gate-level environments like Qiskit, Cirq and QSharp, the beauty of this platform is that it also allows the user to incorporate hardware-specific knowledge into your input, be it photonic or superconducting qubits, trapped ions and atoms or quantum dots.
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6. Entropica Labs
Singapore-based Entropica Labs was established in 2018. Designing algorithms and software tools to operate on the leading cloud quantum computing platform partners IBM, Rigetti Computing and Microsoft, the startup’s hardware-driven approach guarantees ensure a “smooth integration, testing and benchmarking across models.”
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7. ExaQ.ai
ExaQ.ai is a quantum software company founded in late 2020 and is based in Singapore and designs quantum ML algorithms and software tools. Utilizing the polyadic QML Library, ExaQ.ai trained a qmodel for the ternary classification of the Iris flower dataset on IBM quantum computers, achieving an accuracy level of classical ML.
Other offerings include The Polyadic QML Library, a Python library to define, train and deploy quantum ML models, the ManyQ quantum computer simulator optimized for ML and an early quantum ML algorithm called the Quantum Perceptron, a simulation of a two-qubit quantum computer.
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8. HQS Quantum Simulations
HQS Quantum Simulations designs software for material scientists in the chemical industry and academia. Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2017, HSQ uses ultra-modern, bespoke simulation software at the quantum level to evaluate the properties of molecules and materials.
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9. Jij
Founded in 2018, Jij Inc is a Japanese quantum startup developing an optimization computation platform using the quantum Ising computer.
Designed to tackle optimization problems in a variety of industries and fields, Jij-X-OPT is a mechanism that includes a flexible middleware (Jij-Cloud).
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10. JoS Quantum
Providing research services and the JSQ Innovation LAB to identify use cases and prototype quantum algorithms, JoS Quantum is a German startup founded in 2018.
With products ranging from EnerQuant, a project to develop solutions for models in energy markets that consist of complex optimization problems including stochastic components to a quantum algorithm for the sensitivity analysis of business risks, JoS Quantum’s Research as a Service (RaaS) focus is set to prepare the financial, insurance and energy sectors for the quantum era.
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11. Ketita Labs
A spinoff from the University of Tartu, Estonia, Ketita Labs was set up in 2018 and is working on hybrid quantum-classical algorithms for near-term quantum computing. Very much in stealth mode to date, Ketita Labs is the second Finnish startup included on the list, impressive for a country of its size regarding quantum software companies.
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12. Phasecraft
Working on quantum modeling and simulation, this is one of the best companies investigating novel quantum materials contributing to the development of superior batteries and more efficient solar cells while contributing to research simulating chemical reactions, new catalysts and the optimization of important industrial processes. For a more in-depth look at Phasecraft’s exciting IP, refer to the Insights section of the website where you can find access to the team’s research papers.
Phasecraft was founded in 2018 by professors from the University College London (UCL) and the University of Bristol.
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13. QunaSys
QunaSys is a quantum software company founded in Japan in 2018. Having developed several important algorithms for chemical simulations, its software offering Qamuy is a powerful tool to support exploring problems facing quantum chemistry.
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14. Semicyber
Based in McLean, Virginia, just across the Potomac River From Washington D.C, Semicyber develops and applies quantum algorithms to emerging technologies. The startup was founded in 2018.
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15. Solid State AI
Solid State AI is a Canadian quantum software company established in 2017. The Toronto-based company develops and deploys an ML software called AIMS (Artificial Intelligence for Manufacturing Systems) designed for advanced manufacturers to increase yields and throughput.
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16. Zapata Computing
Due to the rules of the alphabet, Zapata Computing usually comes in last on every list TQD puts out, though that shouldn’t be an indication of the company’s unimportance in the sector.
Founded in 2017 and with headquarters in Boston, Zapata Computing is one of the most innovative quantum computing companies in the space. Developing solutions for a whole gamut of industries that encompass chemistry, logistics, finance, oil and gas, aviation, pharmaceuticals, and materials, Zapata Computing’s state-of-the-art platform Orquestra combines a powerful software platform and open-source quantum algorithm libraries which deliver real-world advances in computational power for applications. Composing workflows in the YAML-compatible Zapata Quantum Workflow Language (ZQWL), the platform’s “wrappers” exist for open-source algorithms (e.g., from Qiskit, Cirq, and Forest).
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Have we missed any out or got something wrong? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
The Quantum Insider (TQI)
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