Delft, Netherlands is becoming a key location for quantum computing as Groove Quantum secures €16 million, following a €152 million investment for QuantWare. The funding will support the construction of a new factory in the city to produce quantum processors. Groove Quantum is demonstrating progress with eighteen operational qubits, a key benchmark, and a focus on germanium-based chips. “With this funding and our 18-qubit prototype, we’ve shown that semiconductor spin qubits are not just a promising idea,” says CEO Anne-Marije Zwerver, “They are ready to scale rapidly, and we believe our approach offers the best chance of reaching the million-qubit systems that will change the world.”
QuantWare Secures €152 Million for Delft Quantum Processor Factory
QuantWare’s recent €152 million investment is a new high for funding in the quantum computing sector, exceeding previous rounds and indicating strong confidence in the company’s potential to manufacture advanced processors. This capital will directly fund the construction of a dedicated factory in Delft, Netherlands, for the production of superconducting quantum chips used as building blocks for more powerful quantum computers; the facility is designed to address a critical bottleneck in scaling quantum technology beyond the laboratory. QuantWare’s business model focuses on supplying these chips to other companies, allowing them to build complete quantum computing systems rather than developing the hardware in-house. Participants in this funding round include FORWARD.one, Intel Capital, Invest-NL, and InnovationQuarter, demonstrating broad confidence in QuantWare’s trajectory.
This influx of capital is significant because both QuantWare and Groove Quantum originated as spin-offs from QuTech at TU Delft, reinforcing the city’s position as a hub for quantum innovation. Groove Quantum recently secured €16 million to advance its semiconductor-based quantum computers, currently with 18 operational qubits, demonstrating progress beyond theoretical designs. Rebecca Mayrhofer, Head of Business Development at QuTech, highlights the significance of these investments, stating, “Huge congratulations to QuantWare and Groove Quantum – both full spinouts of QuTech. It’s fantastic to see their hard work and expertise rewarded.” CEO Matthijs Rijlaarsdam emphasizes the ultimate goal, stating, “The promise of quantum computing, capable of solving humanity’s intractable challenges, can only be realized when it can be manufactured and deployed at scale,” and adding, “That is exactly what we are building.”
Groove Quantum Advances Germanium-Based Semiconductor Qubit Technology
The pursuit of scalable quantum computing is increasingly focused on semiconductor-based qubits, a different approach from more established superconducting methods. Groove Quantum is developing qubits founded on germanium semiconductors, a material already used in conventional electronics, and positioning itself in this emerging technology. The company has achieved a functional 18-qubit prototype, a milestone demonstrating progress toward building practical quantum processors, unlike many quantum startups still demonstrating theoretical feasibility. The company’s focus on germanium offers potential advantages in compatibility with existing chip fabrication techniques, potentially lowering production costs and accelerating deployment compared to other qubit materials. This capital, from the European Innovation Council Fund, Innovation Industries, and 55 North, underscores growing investor confidence in the viability of semiconductor-based quantum computing.
First, huge congratulations to QuantWare and Groove Quantum – both full spinouts of QuTech, of course.
Rebecca Mayrhofer, Head of Business Development at QuTech
