French National Quantum Update — November 2023
Executive Summary
November was an extremely busy – and by most indications – an extremely productive month for France’s quantum startups, businesses and research institutions. In probably the biggest news Quandela secured over €50 million from investors, the French government through the France 2030 Plan and banking partners. The company is considered a global leader in photonic quantum computing. Importantly the move shows the absolute necessity of a strong ecosystem, allowing the strengths of all the members – entrepreneurs, policy makers and scientists – to work together to build companies in this growing, but complex industry.
Policy
Quantum Leap: Getting Europe ready for Technological Sovereignty
The Erasmus-Descartes Conference (CED) was initiated in 2002 by the’embassy of France in the Netherlands and the’ Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in France. A highlight of the Franco-Dutch bilateral relationship, these conferences with a unique model aim to facilitate exchanges on the’future of’a priority sector in an interdisciplinary way thanks to the contributions of scientists, entrepreneurs, and, french and Dutch business leaders, politicians and students.
Emmanuel Chiva and Bruno Bonnell Announce an Innovation Partnership
At FID, Emmanuel Chiva and Bruno Bonnell announced an innovation partnership aimed at developing two usable universal quantum computers by the beginning of the next decade.
Business
Quandela Secures €50 Million To Support International Expansion, Further Industrial Development
Quandela, the European leader in photonic quantum computing, has successfully secured over €50 million from investors, the French government through the France 2030 Plan, and banking partners. New investors, Serena, Credit Mutuel Innovation, and the European Innovation Council Fund, have joined the company’s capital, alongside existing historical investors, Bpifrance 1, OMNES Capital and Quantonation. Quandela has also received support from France 2030 as the laureate of the “Première usine” call for projects, operated by Bpifrance. This capital increase will allow Quandela to expedite its international expansion and increase the production of its quantum computers to meet the needs of industrial clients.
PASQAL Signs MOU To Support Open Quantum Institute Activities
PASQAL, the leader in neutral atoms quantum computing, and the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), the non-profit Swiss foundation established in Geneva that focuses on promoting the best science available and to provide solutions to current and future technological related challenges, proudly announce a collaboration to support activities related to the “Open Quantum Institute” (OQI) initiative.
GENCI/CEA, FZJ, and PASQAL Announce Significant Milestone in Hybrid Computing
In the context of the SuperComputing2023 conference in Denver (SC23), Grand Equipement National de Calcul Intensif (GENCI), Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), and PASQAL are demonstrating progresses in the framework of the European project High-Performance Computer and Quantum Simulator hybrid (HPCQS). Indeed, HPC-Quantum Computing applications in finance, pharma, and energy are leveraging the upcoming quantum computers that are currently being installed at the supercomputing centers CEA/TGCC (France) and FZJ/JSC (Germany), providing already concrete results.
Collaboration to Offer Equinix Customers Secure Access to Alice & Bob Quantum Tech
Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX) the world’s digital infrastructure company, announced its collaboration with Alice & Bob, a leading quantum computing company developing one of the most reliable quantum processors on the market. Through the collaboration with Alice & Bob, Equinix customers in United States and across the world will benefit from secure access to Alice & Bob’s cutting-edge quantum technology through Equinix Metal and Equinix Fabric, and from Alice & Bob’s quantum strategy services for businesses to unlock opportunities worth billions of dollars.
PASQAL and Investissement Québec Launch a $90 Million Quantum Computing Initiative
PASQAL, a leader in the development of neutral-atom quantum computers, helped launch a $90 million quantum technology initiative over five years in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The project aims to conduct manufacturing and commercialization activities for quantum computers, as well as research and development in collaboration with academic and industrial partners in quantum computing within DistriQ, a quantum innovation zone.
Research
French Cloud Initiative Compiles Resources for Academic and Industrial Research in Artificial Intelligence
The CLUSSTER project aims to strengthen the French and European cloud industry by creating a cloud dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing and Quantum Computing. As a single-entry point, the CLUSSTER project will bring together a range of digital resources for the academic and industrial communities. The project is being led by a consortium of French academic and industrial researchers in numerical calculation and AI: GENCI, CEA, CNRS and Inria, as well as industrialists Eviden (Atos Group), OVHcloud, CS Group, ActiveEon and Qarnot.
Jean-Philippe Brantut wins 2023 EPFL Latsis Prize
The 2023 EPFL Latsis Prize has been awarded to Professor Jean-Philippe Brantut at EPFL’s School of Basic Sciences. The Prize honors Brantut’s groundbreaking research in quantum gases and quantum optics. His work delves into the complex interactions of Fermi gases within optical cavities, exploring the intricate dance between light and matter.
Education and Events
The International Conference on Quantum Simulation (ICQSIM2023)
The International Conference on Quantum Simulation (ICQSIM2023) will take place at Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau. The conference offered an up-to-date perspective on the thriving field of quantum simulation. The scientific program will combine invited tutorial talks by prominent specialists of the field, contributed talks and poster presentations. The conference is organized by the French network QUANTIP (Quantum Technologies in Paris Region).
The 7th International Conference on Quantum Techniques in Machine Learning starts at CERN
The 7th International Conference on Quantum Techniques in Machine Learning was held on Nov. 20. Approximately 300 attendees were expected for this five-day event held at CERN, . Three pre-conference tutorials were held on Nov. 19.
Quantum Science and Engineering Master’s Program at QSE
Education is a priority for the QSE Center. The goal of the Center is to establish EPFL as the cradle where the next generation of quantum scientists and quantum engineers are trained. To this purpose, it is key to offer a multidisciplinary education program that includes computer science, physics, mathematics and engineering. Educators in all these areas have launched a transdisciplinary Master program in Quantum Science and Engineering.
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Topics
Matt Swayne
With a several-decades long background in journalism and communications, Matt Swayne has worked as a science communicator for an R1 university for more than 12 years, specializing in translating high tech and deep tech for the general audience. He has served as a writer, editor and analyst at The Quantum Insider since its inception. In addition to his service as a science communicator, Matt also develops courses to improve the media and communications skills of scientists and has taught courses.
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MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE
Quandela
Quandela is a French startup that specializes in photonic quantum computing by providing modular, scalable, and energy-efficient photonic quantum computers, accessible both on the cloud and on premise. They provide prototyping services with their Perceval simulator alongside their general purpose chips optimized chips, and development of algorithms and protocols which provide photonic solutions for applications ranging from pharmaceutical and material design, to quantum machine learning, networking and optimization.
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Quantonation
Quantonation is an Early Stage Venture Fund dedicated to Deep Physics startups with a focus on the emerging and disruptive field of Quantum Technologies.
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PASQAL
PASQAL’s quantum computers control neutral atoms with optical tweezers using lasers to manipulate quantum registers with up to a few hundred qubits. Location in Boston MA.
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GENCI
GENCI (Grand équipement national de calcul intensif) is a French public organization that coordinates and funds the major high-performance computing (HPC) centers in France. It is a civil society owned 49% by the French state, 20% by the Commissariat energie atomique, 20% by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), 10% by universities, and 1% by the National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control. GENCI aims to democratize the use of digital simulation, high-performance computing, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing to support French scientific and industrial competitiveness. GENCI collaborates with the Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe (PRACE) to coordinate HPC resources and access across Europe. GENCI’s role is to implement the national strategy for equipping in HPC and storage resources, while servicing the three national computing centres (TGCC for CEA, IDRIS for CNRS and CINES for French Universities).
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Forschungszentrum Jülich
Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) is one of the largest interdisciplinary research institutions in Europe, focusing on energy, information, and bioeconomy. Located in Jülich, North Rhine-Westphalia, it employs approximately 7,250 staff members, including many international researchers. FZJ operates advanced scientific infrastructures, such as supercomputers and particle accelerators, and conducts research aimed at addressing major societal challenges, including climate change and sustainable resource management. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, it collaborates with over 200 partners globally, fostering innovation in various fields through interdisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge technologies.
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Equinix
Equinix specializes in digital infrastructure, operating a global network of data centers that provide colocation, connectivity, and managed solutions for enterprises, cloud providers, and network service providers. The company enables direct, secure interconnection between partners and platforms, supporting mission-critical applications, AI workloads, and hybrid multicloud environments. Equinix emphasizes reliability, scalability, and compliance, serving over 10,000 customers worldwide and facilitating digital transformation through its extensive ecosystem and advanced infrastructure.
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Alice&Bob
Alice&Bob are working towards building an error corrected, fault tolerant quantum computer. They are working with superconducting circuits called ‘Cat Qubits’ which reduce the hardware required for error correction. With a cat Qubit, it is possible to stabilize two particular states in which quantum information is encoded autonomously.
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CNRS
The French National Centre for Scientific Research is among the world's leading research institutions. Its scientists explore the living world, matter, the Universe, and the functioning of human societies in order to meet the major challenges of today and tomorrow. Internationally recognised for the excellence of its scientific research, the CNRS is a reference in the world of research and development, as well as for the general public.
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