Quantum Circuits, Inc., a Quantum Computer Startup out of Yale, Opens Lab in New Haven
CT Governor, Yale Vice Provost and other local/federal elected officials praise QCI progress, an example of breakthrough technology grown in New Haven
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan. 24, 2019 / Today QCI officially opened its New Haven development and testing facility for quantum computing, which includes 6,000 square feet of state-of-the art laboratories and in-house manufacturing; it will house over 20 scientists and engineers. The company plans to grow significantly over the next several years, increasing both the size of the facilities and number of highly-skilled employees in New Haven. The ribbon-cutting ceremony included participation from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Vice Provost for Research at Yale Peter Schiffer and QCI Co-Founder/Chief Scientist Robert Schoelkopf.
QCI is developing the first practical quantum computers. Quantum computing has the potential to enable calculations that are orders of magnitudes faster and more powerful than today’s supercomputers for certain types of problems. Applications will include drug design for biotech, materials science, improved processes for industrial chemicals, fintech, logistics, machine learning, and energy.
“We have already seen the power of combining fundamental scientific understanding with the multidisciplinary engineering team that we are building at QCI,” said QCI Co-Founder and Chief Scientist Robert Schoelkopf. “These new facilities will enable us to accelerate our development efforts, and ensure that New Haven leads the way into the next wave of computing.”
QCI’s scientific co-founders — Michel Devoret, Luigi Frunzio and Robert Schoelkopf of Yale University — pioneered the field of quantum computing with superconducting circuits. In this moment with so much excitement around quantum computing, many companies — ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies — are building on work from the team at Yale. Their lab was the first to perform quantum algorithms and quantum error correction in integrated circuits. Yale’s long-standing commitment to the field of quantum computing helped cultivate the work, as well as many years of government and philanthropic support. The University is continuing to make additional investments, selecting quantum science as one of the top priority investment ideas in the President’s “University Science Strategy Committee Report.”
“The story of QCI illustrates the potential to leverage university research to create jobs and to drive a competitive, high-tech economy. Yale is grateful for the generous federal investment in quantum science, the support of Connecticut Innovations and other state agencies, and of course the commitment by Canaan, Sequoia, and others in the private sector,” said Peter Schiffer, Vice Provost for Research and Professor in Applied Physics. “Yale is proud of all of the startups based on Yale inventions, and we look forward to working with the private sector and the state to build more companies in New Haven.”
QCI’s roots have always been in New Haven. The company is an example of Connecticut as a home for new and innovative technology, often with academic work at Yale contributing to the momentum.
“Connecticut is the home of some of the brightest minds in the country, and we are excited that QCI has chosen our state as the location to develop the computing systems that will change the world,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “Innovative startups like this are responsible for transforming the way we live, work, and do business in the 21st century, which is why we place great value on having these high-tech pioneers as part of our business community.”
“This is terrific news. Connecticut is leading the way in research, manufacturing and innovation, and the grand opening of QCI here in New Haven represents another huge step forward for our state’s economy and for quantum research across the globe,” said US Senator Chris Murphy. “The fact that the world’s first quantum computer is going to be made in Connecticut makes me incredibly proud, and it speaks volumes about the unmatched talent of our workforce and the groundbreaking research being done at our universities. I look forward to working with QCI in any way I can to help make this project a success.”
“The opening of Quantum Circuits Inc. is an historic achievement for Connecticut and our country. Quantum computing is a promising new frontier in the technology space that could help advance security, drug discovery, logistics, and more, and New Haven provides a vibrant ecosystem to incubate QCI’s world-changing ideas and products,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT 3rd District, including New Haven). “Innovative ventures like QCI and Yale’s work in this field are vital to our nation’s interests and global competitiveness, and I am proud to support them through Congressionally-funded scientific research.”
“It’s my great pleasure to help celebrate the launch of QCI on behalf of all city residents, businesses, and students,” New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp said. “Its commitment to quantum computing will complement a new software coding school in New Haven, the city’s commitment to high-speed internet service, and efforts throughout New Haven Public Schools to bridge the digital divide. Congratulations to QCI and Yale, with appreciation for all these efforts to keep New Haven at the cutting edge of the technology sector.”
About QCI
Quantum Circuits, Inc. (QCI) is developing a full-stack quantum computing platform based on superconducting devices and a modular, robust and scalable architecture. QCI was founded by three world-leading experts in quantum devices and information processing from the Department of Applied Physics at Yale University: Michel Devoret, Luigi Frunzio, and Robert Schoelkopf. Their group has produced many scientific firsts, including the development of a “quantum bus” for entangling qubits with wires and the first implementation of a quantum algorithms and error-correction with a solid-state device. www.quantumcircuits.com