Mohamed Abdel-Kareem

BlueQubit, a quantum software startup based in San Francisco, has raised $10 million in a seed funding round led by Nyca Partners, with participation from Restive, Chaac Ventures, NKM Capital, Presto Ventures, Tech Horizons, BigStory, Untapped Ventures, Formula VC, and Granatus. Founded by Stanford alumni Hrant Ghairbyan and Hayk Tepanyan, the company aims to integrate quantum computing into real-world applications through its Quantum Software as a Service (QSaaS) platform. The QSaaS framework connects enterprise users to Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) and quantum emulators, addressing challenges in sectors like finance, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. BlueQubit's software stack enables quantum emulators that are [...]

Planckian, a quantum technology innovator based in Pisa, Italy, has introduced a new superconducting quantum chip architecture designed to address the critical wiring challenges impeding quantum computer scalability. This “conveyor-belt” architecture employs shared control lines to manipulate qubits, significantly reducing cabling complexity and operational overhead. The design builds upon Planckian’s prior research, including the June 2024 paper, “A Globally Driven Superconducting Quantum Computing Architecture”, which outlined an initial approach to leveraging ZZ coupling for global qubit control. The latest blueprint extends this work by reducing the number of physical qubits required while enabling advanced multi-qubit operations, including the three-qubit Toffoli gate, [...]

MITRE and Montana State University (MSU) are jointly addressing U.S. dependence on Chinese sources for rare earth elements critical to quantum technologies. Through artificial intelligence and density functional theory, they aim to catalog alternative materials that can reduce reliance on imports. Their research particularly targets holmium copper, a key material in quantum cryocoolers currently dominated by Chinese supply chains. Formalized in August 2024, this partnership supports U.S. critical mineral supply chain resilience and technological self-reliance. Additionally, the collaboration involves advancing material science for quantum applications and engaging with federal initiatives, such as the Headwaters Tech Hub and the annual Critical Resource [...]

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and IQM Quantum Computers (IQM) have signed an MoU to advance the industrialization of quantum technology in Japan. This partnership focuses on quantum hardware development, algorithm optimization, error mitigation, and quantum machine learning, aiming to improve performance and scalability of quantum processors. Announced at the "Finland–Japan Roundtable on Green and Digital Transition" in Tokyo, the collaboration leverages AIST’s research capabilities and IQM’s expertise in full-stack superconducting quantum computers. It also aligns with Japan's 10-year quantum plan, supporting the country's efforts to integrate quantum computing into various industries. Key initiatives include utilizing [...]

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) has secured a prime contract from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to leverage its Dirac-3 entropy quantum optimization machine for solving the phase unwrapping problem in interferometric radar imaging. Phase unwrapping is crucial for reconstructing high-quality images and extracting data from interferograms, a challenge that QCi aims to address at scale. This initiative will enable NASA to compare the performance of QCi’s photonic quantum optimization technology against state-of-the-art classical algorithms. If successful, the project is expected to improve computational efficiency and data accuracy in processing large-scale interferometric datasets, paving the way for future applications in data-intensive fields. [...]

SandboxAQ has raised over $300 million in funding from prominent investors including Fred Alger Management, T. Rowe Price Associates, Mumtalakat, Parkway Venture Capital, Breyer Capital, Rizvi Traverse, S32, US Innovative Technology Fund, Ava Investments, In-Q-Tel (IQT), and individual contributors like Eric Schmidt, Marc Benioff, David Siegel, and Yann LeCun. The round values SandboxAQ at $5.3 billion pre-money and is aimed at accelerating the development of Large Quantitative Models (LQMs), quantum, and AI solutions in fields like drug discovery, materials science, cybersecurity, and navigation. SandboxAQ’s LQMs target computationally intensive scientific and business challenges across industries, complementing Large Language Models (LLMs) by focusing [...]

Israel has launched its first domestically built quantum computer, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s push to become a leader in quantum technologies. Developed with advanced superconducting technology, the 20-qubit quantum computer was created through a collaboration involving the Israel Innovation Authority, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Hebrew University, and Yissum, the university’s technology transfer company. This new quantum computer will support both defense and civilian applications, positioning Israel as a significant participant for quantum advancements. The development of this superconductor-based quantum computer includes a robust infrastructure for design, simulation, and integration of practical applications. The Quantum QHIPU lab will focus [...]

Indian quantum technology startup Quanfluence has raised $2 million in seed funding to enhance its product offerings and develop its quantum computing solutions. The funding round was led by pi Ventures, with contributions from Golden Sparrow and Reena Dayal, founder of the Quantum Ecosystems and Technology Council of India. Founded in 2021, Quanfluence specializes in photonics-based quantum technologies and operates from the IITM Incubation Centre. The startup's groundbreaking approach utilizes Time-Multiplexed Optical Coherent Ising Machines (CIMs) to solve optimization problems much faster and more efficiently than classical and current quantum computers. By leveraging the physics of light, Quanfluence’s Optical Ising machines [...]

SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) has announced a strategic partnership with Hedera, a leading decentralized blockchain network, to create next-generation quantum-resistant semiconductors. This collaboration aims to integrate quantum-resistant security solutions into critical infrastructures, ensuring protection against the emerging risks posed by quantum computing. The partnership will focus on SEALSQ's QS7001 quantum-resistant hardware platform, which is currently undergoing testing and validation ahead of its production launch in 2025. The quantum-resistant chips developed through this collaboration will safeguard digital infrastructure, including blockchain and cryptographic systems, from the potential vulnerabilities introduced by quantum computing. As quantum computers advance, traditional cryptographic systems may become susceptible to [...]

Heriot-Watt University has secured funding for a groundbreaking project in quantum communications under the first round of awards from the Photonics and Quantum Accelerator (PQA). This £4.7 million ($5.94 million USD) initiative, backed by UKRI and EPSRC, seeks to advance Scotland's photonics and quantum technology sectors through collaboration among universities, industry, and civic partners. Dr. Natalia Herrera Valencia is leading a project to develop a cost-effective, easy-to-use quantum photonic system for creating entanglement links over telecom networks. This innovation enables ultra-secure encryption and interconnected quantum computers, addressing critical demands for secure and efficient communication infrastructure. The system, currently undergoing trials with [...]