VTT Begins Search For Partner to Scale up Finland’s Next Quantum Computer Towards 300 Qubits
Insider Brief
- The government of Finland has committed to finance the procurement of Finland’s next quantum computer.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland will begin a tendering process to look for a partner to help scale up the country’s most powerful quantum computer towards 300 qubits.
- The new public call for tenders covers co-development between VTT and the new innovation partner.
PRESS RELEASE — The Finnish state has committed to finance the procurement of Finland’s next quantum computer. The state-owned VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland thus begins a tendering process to look for a partner with whom to begin an innovative co-development project that will scale up the country’s most powerful quantum computer towards 300 qubits.
With its current innovation partner, VTT has developed 5- and 20-qubit quantum computers. The third and final quantum computer, with 50 qubits, included in current the partnership will be launched later in 2024.
The new public call for tenders covers co-development between VTT and the new innovation partner toward computers with higher qubit numbers and increased performance. With the procurement, VTT strives to strengthen Finland’s leading position in developing quantum technologies.
To gain a competitive advantage for Finland in the quantum computing field, VTT will examine, together with the selected partner, whether it is possible to optimise the quantum computer to solve specific types of mathematical problems.
”VTT has unique expertise in computer-aided materials design, which can be used to accelerate the development cycles of many technologies. This is why we are looking for an innovation partner with whom we can explore optimising the quantum computer particularly for materials modelling. We are convinced that specialisation promotes technological innovations and creates an extensive array of new opportunities for Finnish industry, for example, within the field of chemistry applications and bio-based innovations. This strategy will strengthen our competitiveness and help us differentiate ourselves even more in the global market through our expertise,” says Antti Vasara, CEO of VTT.
The procurement is limited to superconducting quantum computers. This technology option best matches VTT’s research agendas and supports VTT’s already strong and versatile expertise in the development of superconductive quantum technologies. The procurement also aims to create and acquire new immaterial rights related to quantum technologies for Finland.
The future partner will be expected to provide a temporary computing service for VTT and its Finnish partners immediately after the launch of the development project.
Accelerating the application of quantum computing
It is predicted that materials research, synthetic biology research, the pharmaceutical industry, and the financial sector will be among the first industries to benefit from quantum computing.
Quantum technologies are among the key technologies identified by the European Commission as areas in which Europe wants to spearhead development and reach technological self-sufficiency. The financing granted to VTT for the procurement and development of the quantum computer advances both Finnish and European expertise in quantum technologies and quantum computing.
VTT carries out the call for tenders with the help of KPMG. The applications must be submitted by August 2nd. The call for tenders includes several phases, and the goal is to select the supplier in early 2025.
Previous quantum computing announcements:
- 2024: VTT explores how to make communications smoother with quantum computing – 6G era challenges connectivity
- 2023: Finland’s first quantum computer opened for companies
- 2023: Finland launches a 20-qubit quantum computer – development towards more powerful quantum computers continues
- 2022: Finland opens quantum computer for research purposes – the fusion of quantum computing and supercomputing enables completely new science
- 2021: Finland’s first 5-qubit quantum computer is now operational
For more quantum computing stories from VTT, please visit the newsroom.
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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
VTT Technical Research Centre Of Finland
VTT is a Finnish, fully state-owned limited liability company that helps customers create new business and solve global challenges with science and technology. They help organizations that develop quantum technologies in scaling up, integrating, and interfacing devices towards profitable business cases. They have expertise in superconducting, photonic, and semiconducting technology platforms and want to be a leading foundry for producing quantum chips and providing services that make quantum computing possible in practice. Quantum services they provide include fabrication, process development, device modelling and design, device and systems characterization, quantum metrology, quantum control solutions including 3D integration, and thermal engineering.
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European Commission
The Commission represents and upholds the interests of the EU as a whole, and is independent of national governments. The European Commission prepares legislation for adoption by the Council (representing the member countries) and the Parliament (representing the citizens). It administers the budget and the policy programmes (agriculture, fisheries, research etc.) in cooperation with authorities in the member countries.
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KPMG
KPMG is a global professional-services network providing audit, tax and advisory services through independent member firms operating in over 140 countries. The firm supports organisations across sectors—such as financial services, industrial, technology, public sector and infrastructure—helping them manage risk, optimise performance, transform business models and comply with regulation. With strong emphasis on technology, sustainability and global connectivity, KPMG is positioned as a trusted advisor to large multinational clients, regulators and governments.
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