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TNO aims to participate in Equal1, an Irish startup with growing operations in the Netherlands. With this investment, TNO further strengthens the Netherlands as a global hub in quantum technology, one of the key technologies within the National Technology Strategy. In addition to this investment, TNO also brings technical expertise to accelerate the scaling up of this startup. The participation comes from TNO’s private holding company. co-developed
Equal1 is an Irish quantum startup with expanding operations in the Netherlands. The company develops a full-stack quantum computer with an AI layer leveraging semiconductor technology. Quantum computers have the potential to solve complex problems that classical computers cannot handle, leading to breakthroughs in climate modeling, financial modeling, and AI in the future. To build its quantum processor, Equal1 uses silicon spin qubits, a technology that TNO and Delft University of Technology have co-developed in recent years. Equal1 was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from University College Dublin and currently employs about 45 people.
More intensive collaboration
TNO aims to support a network of startups in fields where it conducts research, thereby helping to accelerate the growth of both startups and scale-ups. More intensive collaboration strengthens an ecosystem of potential customers and partners for the Dutch high-tech industry. Analyses show that too few deep-tech startups successfully transition into scale-ups and that scale-ups do often grow more slowly compared to their American counterparts. TNO seeks to address this challenge.
Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi, CEO of TNO calls the investment in Equal1 "a first tangible illustration of our new strategy to support promising deep-tech startups and scale-ups while strengthening the Dutch high-tech ecosystem." This way, he says, "TNO helps companies create a global impact more quickly, thereby strengthening the Dutch economy, accelerating transitions, and promoting employment."
R&D to Delft
Equal1 operates differently from other quantum startups, it builds on an ‘R&D foundation’ but focuses on developing a marketable product, leveraging a well-established semiconductor foundation. They have decided to move part of their R&D activities to the Netherlands to leverage TNO’s technology and expertise in nanofabrication, infrastructure, and advanced materials from Delft University of Technology. Equal1 is establishing itself in Delft at the House of Quantum, a national campus for quantum startups. As more international companies in the quantum field, the Netherlands is rapidly developing into a global quantum hub.
Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1, expects TNO’s investment in Equal1 to accelerate building rack-mounted quantum computers capable of scaling to millions of high-performance qubits on a single quantum chip. "TNO is a leader in the field of quantum and we are grateful for their support as this partnership marks a key milestone in our roadmap towards developing the world’s most scalable, practical, and energy-efficient quantum computers."