TNO invests in Irish quantum computing startup Equal1 to boost innovation
Dutch government institution TNO has made a strategic investment in Equal1, an Irish startup focused on quantum computing. The investment, which amount remains undisclosed, is part of TNO's broader strategy to strengthen the Netherlands as a global leader in quantum technology. TNO will also reportedly provide technical expertise to accelerate Equal1's growth, which includes moving a portion of its research and development operations to the Netherlands.
Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from University College Dublin, Equal1 employs around 45 people. The company is developing a full-stack quantum computer powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and uses semiconductor-based spin qubits—a technology that TNO and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) have jointly advanced in recent years.
Rather than developing entirely new technologies, Equal1 focuses on creating a marketable product using existing semiconductor technology. The company’s quantum computer uses spin qubits, a crucial component that TNO and TU Delft have helped develop through their ongoing collaboration.
To further benefit from the Netherlands' expertise in quantum technologies, Equal1 has decided to relocate part of its R&D efforts to the country. The company will set up its research facilities in Delft at the House of Quantum, a national campus designed to foster innovation in quantum startups.
As part of its involvement in Equal1, TNO aims to create a network of startups to accelerate innovation and growth in fields related to its own research areas. TNO has noted that many deep-tech startups in the Netherlands struggle to scale successfully and often grow slower than their American counterparts. By partnering with Equal1, TNO hopes to address this issue and foster more rapid scaling of startups in the high-tech sector.
This investment in Equal1 marks a new chapter for TNO, as it is the first time the organization has directly invested in a startup that was not its own spin-off. Typically, TNO focuses on developing technologies and nurturing its own spin-offs, but the collaboration with Equal1 represents a significant shift in its approach.
TNO views quantum computing as a game-changer, with the potential to tackle complex challenges that classical computers cannot address. These challenges include climate modeling, financial forecasting, and AI development, areas where breakthroughs could have transformative effects on industries worldwide.
