C12, a quantum computing company, recently raised €18 million in funding. The company, founded in 2020 as a spin-off from the Physics Laboratory of the École Normale Supérieure, is focused on developing quantum computers based on carbon nanotubes. While quantum computing is still a work in progress, many scientific teams are approaching it from different angles, aiming to create a quantum computer that can perform calculations with minimal errors and at scale.
Why do we need quantum computers? Traditional computers are based on electronic transistors, and while they have advanced exponentially over the past 60 years, there are limits to their capabilities. Some problems simply cannot be solved using traditional computers, and it remains uncertain whether Moore’s Law will continue to hold true in the future.
Quantum computers have the potential to address these limitations. They can be used to simulate complex chemical reactions for drug development or solve optimization problems in various industries such as transportation, logistics, and manufacturing. Pierre Desjardins, the CEO of C12, emphasized the importance of quantum computing in modeling chemical reactions to understand how new drugs interact with cells. He also highlighted the potential energy efficiency of quantum computing compared to traditional methods, making it an attractive option for AI applications.
C12’s approach to quantum computing sets it apart from other teams. The company uses carbon nanotubes instead of superconducting materials like aluminum, which are commonly used by big companies like Google, IBM, and Amazon. C12’s patented nano-assembly process involves placing carbon nanotubes on top of a silicon chip. This process allows for precise control and scalability, with carbon nanotubes being 10,000 times smaller than a human hair.
While C12 is still in the early stages of development, it has established its first production line in Paris. The company manufactures carbon nanotubes, integrates them with silicon substrates, and tests the resulting chips in its mini data center. Currently, C12 is focusing on chips with one or two qubits, but it has plans to scale up its quantum computing capabilities.
In addition to its hardware development, C12 has created an emulator called Callisto. Emulators enable developers to write and run quantum code on classical computers, allowing them to prepare for the future availability of quantum computers. The company is currently focusing on two verticals: the chemical industry, which uses the emulator to simulate chemical reactions, and the energy industry, which uses it for optimization problems.
C12’s recent funding round attracted investments from Varsity Capital, EIC Fund, Verve Ventures, and existing investors 360 Capital, Bpifrance’s Digital Venture fund, and BNP Paribas Développement. With the capital raised, C12 plans to establish more partnerships with industrial partners and continue its research goals. One of these goals is to achieve a quantum operation between two qubits that are located at a distance from each other, which will be crucial for scaling quantum computing.
Overall, C12’s unique approach to quantum computing using carbon nanotubes and its patented nano-assembly process show promise for the future of this technology. With its recent funding and partnerships, the company is poised to make significant advancements in the field, bringing us closer to realizing the potential of quantum computing.
