Spotify & Skype
What do companies like Spotify and Skype have in common? In case you didn’t know, I’ll tell you: they’re both Scandivanian tech giants. Spotify, a Swedish audio streaming and media services provider while Skype, on the other hand, was founded by a Swede and a Dane.
But it’s not just those two, as the region — including Iceland — is home to some top-notch tech startups, too.
Though no Silicon Valley yet, Scandinavia has all the makings to be one, this is especially the case in the quantum computing (QC) industry where several of the top university have quantum information science (QIS) research programs and groups up and running like the University of Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute from Denmark, Chalmers University of Technology’s Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology and Stockholm University’s Condensed Matter and Quantum Optics Division (KOMKO) from Sweden and, not forgetting, Aalto University’s Quantum Computing and Devices (QCD) from Finland — all these are out to break new ground in this inchoate industry.
The region has its fair share of cutting-edge QC startups as well. To give you some idea of how the commercial end of the industry is fairing, TQD has compiled a non-exhaustive list of eight.
If you want to learn more, we’ve compiled the most comprehensive list of the top quantum computing companies available!
1.Algorithmiq
Based in Turku, Finland, Algorithmiq was founded in 2020 and uses quantum algorithms to solve problems in data science and the life sciences by combining expertise in quantum information, complex systems and computational physics to build algorithms that run on near-term quantum devices.
The startup’s cofounders are Sabrina Maniscalco, Guillermo García-Pérez, Matteo Rossi, and Boris Sokolov.
2.IQM
Founded in 2018 by Jan Goetz, Juha Vartiainen, Kuan Yen Tan, and Mikko Möttönen as a spinoff of the Quantum Computing and Devices research group of Aalto University, IQM is based in Espoo, Finland. With an aim to develop QC hardware utilizing superconducting qubits for a universal general-purpose quantum computer, IQM is one of the more high-profile startups on the list.
3.Low Noise Factory
Founded in the very early days of quantum tech in 2005 by Niklas Wadefalk, the Gotenborg-based Swedish company Low Noise Factory designs both high-performance room temperature and sub-zero cryogenic low noise amplifiers for the QC market.
4.Molecular Quantum Solutions
Founded in 2019, Molecular Quantum Solutions (MQS) is located in Copenhagen, Denmark and develops computational tools to speed up endeavours in R&D in the chemical, pharma and biotech industries. It does this by utilizing super- and quantum-computers with computational models and algorithms to calculate the properties of materials and chemicals in a fast and efficient way.
Mark Nicholas Jones and Łukasz Ruszczyński are the startup’s cofounders.
5.Nordic Quantum Computing Group
Founded way back in 2000 in Oslo, Norway in the early days of the QC industry by Axel Peter Mustad, Nordic Quantum Computing Group (NQCG) is focusing its efforts on a platform-agnostic quantum software (including algorithms, applications and novel chip design) that employs superconducting qubits and photonic QC architecture that will benefit companies in the financial services sector and industrial technology.
6.Phase Space Computing
A Swedish startup based in Linköping and founded in 2017, Phase Space Computing is a spinoff from Linköping University. Providing educational tools that cater for students at high school, undergraduate or graduate levels, the startup also supplies toolboxes that contain electronic circuit boards that approximate the behaviour of quantum gates by demonstrating functions such as QKD, teleportation, superdense coding, the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm, and Shor’s algorithm.
Phase Space Computing was founded by Niklas Johansson.
7.Sparrow Quantum
Sparrow Quantum was established in 2016 by Peter Lodahl as a spinoff from the Niels Bohr Institute’s Quantum Photonics Lab in Copenhagen, Denmark. With a focus on developing and commercializing photonic quantum technology components based on research and patents from the Institute, the startup’s new SPARROW single-photon source is based on self-assembled InAs quantum dots coupled to a slow-light photonic-crystal waveguide made using unique processing technology.
8.Unitary Zero Space
Finnish player Unitary Zero Space, a Helsinki-based company, was founded in 2020 by Topias Uotila and is a QC consultancy firm that has set out to build capabilities in QC through education while securing its industry from the challenges of quantum technologies, building on its expertise in the cybersecurity sphere, in particular.
Oh, Iceland!
The only disappointment on this list is that we still have yet to see a QC startup hailing from Iceland. With only a population of just under 370,000 people, we’re probably asking for a bit much from them. We’re sure it’s just a matter of time before we do see a quantum tech startup make an appearance in that county, though.
Have we missed any out or got something wrong? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
The Quantum Insider (TQI)
Just in case this list hasn’t satisfied your cravings for data on the companies embracing quantum tech in Scandinavia, you can pop on over to The Quantum Insider (TQI), TQD’s very own data platform. Here you can find deep and insightful information on all aspects of the QIS industry.
TQI is an invaluable resource for journalists, researchers, investors, companies, and government agencies looking to extend their knowledge of the growing quantum tech ecosystem!
