- Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory partners with IonQ to host a 256-qubit trapped-ion computer, the UK’s most powerful. The centre supports computing, networking, sensing, and security research, bridging academia and commercial impact.
- Kvantify secures €7M in funding from EIC Fund & Delphinus VC to expand its Qrunch platform. Quantum-classical computing will power real drug discovery workflows, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in quantum life sciences.
- Turing Award 2025: Bennett & Brassard Charles H. Bennett & Gilles Brassard win the 2025 ACM Turing Award for founding quantum information science. Achieving: BB84 protocol for quantum-secure communication, Encryption guaranteed by quantum mechanics & Foundations for quantum cryptography & teleportation.
- Rhonexum develops electronics that work at near-zero temperatures Raises $1M for Cryogenic Electronics. Funding led by QDNL Participations supports hardware that reduces complexity and boosts quantum scalability.
- Xanadu Launches Project OPTIMISM and seeks up to $390M from Canada & Ontario to build domestic photonic quantum manufacturing, including chip packaging, testing, and assembly for large-scale photonic systems.
- Quantinuum demonstrates 94 protected logical qubits, achieving 1 error in 10,000 operations. Iceberg codes enable efficient error correction with minimal overhead.
- Neutral-atom company Pasqal merges with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp to go public. II, targeting a $2B Nasdaq listing. Works with 25+ commercial and research partners; closing expected H2 2026.
“Scaling quantum computers isn’t just about making them bigger; it’s about making them practical, efficient, and accessible. That’s exactly what we’re building at SemiQon.” Himadri, CEO & Founder, SemiQon.
For this edition of Qbit Curious, I sat down with Himadri Majumdar, CEO and Founder of SemiQon, a spin-out from VTT in Finland. SemiQon develops cryogenically-optimized CMOS platforms that aim to make quantum computing scalable, energy-efficient, and commercially viable. Unlike full-stack quantum hardware companies, SemiQon partners with system integrators, providing the building blocks that allow a range of quantum processors to be deployed efficiently.
As the CEO and founder of SemiQon, what led you to start the company?
Himadri shares that his journey began with over 11 years at VTT, Finland’s technical research center, where he held multiple roles and ultimately served as a program manager for quantum technologies. In 2019, VTT identified quantum computing as one of five spearhead technologies to develop nationally and internationally. Himadri led projects including the country’s first collaborative effort to build a quantum computer with IQM, a VTT spinoff.
“I realized that semiconductor technology offered a unique way to scale quantum processors, like we do in microprocessors. If you can leverage that, quantum computers can become a commodity, not just multi-million-dollar machines.”
He explains that this insight motivated him to spin out SemiQon with three colleagues from VTT: two technology experts, one manufacturing expert, and himself bringing management experience. Timing was perfect, as several other spinoffs were emerging, creating a fertile environment for deep-tech startups.
What is SemiQon’s core mission, and what problem are you solving that others aren’t?
Himadri emphasizes that SemiQon’s goal is to build compact, scalable quantum computing platforms that don’t require enormous physical space or unsustainable power. He points out that while IBM’s systems have grown from 4 m² in 2019 to plans for 200 m² machines, SemiQon is focused on efficiency and integration.
“There has to be a more elegant solution that doesn’t make quantum computers bigger as they get better. That is where we come in.”
He also highlights the uncertainty in how quantum computing will evolve, noting that multiple hardware modalities may coexist. SemiQon’s cryogenically-optimized CMOS approach is designed to integrate with other systems and enable scalable, hybrid quantum architectures.
“Our approach is like Tesla’s: we built a platform from the ground up to work at extreme temperatures, rather than retrofitting existing processors. The R&D at VTT over 15-20 years gave us a perfect solution that we are now commercializing.”
You’ve developed cryogenically-optimized CMOS transistors. Why are they significant, and what advantages do they offer over competing technologies?
Himadri explains that cryogenic CMOS is central to SemiQon’s platform. Standard processors fail at extremely low temperatures required for quantum computing. SemiQon’s transistors are designed to operate reliably under these conditions, allowing the creation of a platform that can scale quantum computers effectively.
“The whole solution evolves around this technology. It’s a platform that makes quantum computing really scalable.”
He further emphasizes that the key advantage is scalability. Using CMOS allows for smaller, more efficient systems compared to large, power-hungry quantum machines. SemiQon essentially provides the “motherboard” for quantum processing, enabling any type of quantum processing unit (QPU) to be integrated.
“All solutions are welcome; we provide the base on which any QPU can operate.”
What has been the biggest technical or engineering challenge, and how are you approaching it?
Himadri notes that quantum companies face both scientific and engineering challenges, and SemiQon is no exception. Their approach is product-focused, emphasizing Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), iterative improvement, and user feedback. “We are a product company, not an R&D company. 80% functionality is good enough to start; get it into users’ hands, get feedback, and improve.”
Challenges include design, manufacturing, and scaling systems, but the guiding principle is always to produce deployable technology. Regarding the recent €17.5M European Innovation Council grant, Himadri says the funding accelerates the company from startup to scale-up mode:
- Expanding the team, especially in manufacturing and commercial roles
- Securing early customer orders
- Scaling production of cryogenic CMOS components
- Continuing targeted R&D to refine the platform
“We still hire top experts, but now the focus is on translating technology into deployable products that generate revenue.”
What does the next five years look like for SemiQon and the broader quantum industry?
Himadri predicts significant growth for SemiQon, but stresses that not all hires need PhDs; expertise in commercial operations and manufacturing is crucial. “We’ll grow the team, but more people doesn’t necessarily mean more PhDs. The company has to be commercially driven.” For the industry, he describes a second wave of quantum startups moving from research to commercialization. He expects some consolidation, with a focus on generating revenue, rather than a huge surge of new hardware companies. “The third wave might come later, but likely from software and applications, not hardware.”
What advice would you give to deep-tech founders entering quantum now?
Himadri stresses the importance of product-market fit and early revenue planning. With investors expecting quick progress, new startups need clear deployment potential. “If you are coming in the third wave, make sure you have a perfect product-market fit and a revenue projection within two to three years. Otherwise, it will be difficult to sustain.” He notes that much of the “oxygen in the market” has already been consumed by the first and second waves of quantum startups, meaning newcomers must move fast and decisively.
Himadri shares that SemiQon’s mission is rooted in turning decades of Finnish R&D into scalable, deployable quantum platforms. He emphasizes, “We provide the motherboard for quantum computers any QPU can be integrated.”
For him, success isn’t just about cutting-edge technology, but making it commercially viable, energy-efficient, and capable of reaching the wider market. SemiQon’s focus on cryogenic CMOS, partnerships, and pragmatic scaling reflects a broader industry shift from experimental research toward real-world impact.
Get in touch to discuss.
