As reported by Sky News, a US Air Force Reserve brigadier-general, Mandy Birch, has secured $5 million in funding for her UK-based quantum computing start-up, TreQ. The seed funding round was led by Lavrock Ventures, a US-based venture firm focused on deep tech and national security. It included participation from the UK-based Creator Fund, First Minute Capital, and Silicon Valley-based Green Sands Equity.
TreQ, based in Oxfordshire, is focused on building and operating open-architecture quantum computers. Birch, also an adviser to the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, believes the UK is rapidly commercializing quantum technology and has chosen the country as her base due to its status as a global quantum computing hub. Her team has collectively built around a dozen quantum computers worldwide. It takes a distinct approach by building systems from a growing ecosystem of small and medium enterprises offering innovative components.
Quantum Computing Start-up TreQ Secures $5M Funding Boost
A significant development in the field of quantum computing has taken place with the securing of a $5 million funding boost for UK-based start-up TreQ. The company, founded by Mandy Birch, a brigadier-general in the US Air Force Reserve and an adviser to the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, is focused on building and operating open-architecture quantum computers.
The seed funding round was led by Lavrock Ventures, a US-based venture firm focused on deep tech and national security. Additionally, the UK-based Creator Fund and firstminute capital, both of which are focused on early-stage European deep-tech companies, participated in the round. Silicon Valley-based Green Sands Equity also contributed to the funding.
Birch’s experience serving with British military personnel during counter-terrorism operations in Africa played a significant role in her decision to base TreQ in the UK. The country is rapidly commercializing quantum computing, and Birch believes that combining strengths among allies will fully realize the potential of quantum computing.
The Potential of Quantum Computing
Quantum computers can carry out calculations that conventional computers cannot perform within a reasonable time frame. This property makes them particularly useful for solving complex problems in fields such as cryptography, optimization, and simulation. TreQ’s approach is distinct from single-technology, lab-based quantum computing, with its engineers building systems from a growing ecosystem of small and medium enterprises offering innovative components.
The company’s team has collectively built roughly a dozen quantum computers around the world, demonstrating their expertise in this field. By leveraging the UK’s status as a global quantum computing hub, TreQ is well-positioned to become a leader in the development of practical quantum computers that can address real-world needs.
The UK’s Quantum Computing Ecosystem
The UK is rapidly becoming a quantum world leader, with a growing ecosystem of small and medium enterprises offering innovative components. This ecosystem provides an ideal environment for companies like TreQ to thrive. The country’s innovation in quantum computing has the potential to be a catalyst for the first generation of quantum computers that address real-world needs.
Henry Lane Fox, chairman of Creator Fund, highlighted the significance of TreQ’s team, comprising quantum experts from across UK universities. This expertise will be crucial in driving the development of practical quantum computers that can solve complex problems in various fields.
The Future of Quantum Computing
The securing of funding for TreQ marks an important milestone in the development of quantum computing. As the technology continues to advance, it is likely to have a significant impact on various industries, from cryptography to optimization and simulation. With companies like TreQ at the forefront of this development, the potential for quantum computing to revolutionize the way we approach complex problems is vast.
The UK’s growing ecosystem of small and medium enterprises offering innovative components will play a crucial role in driving this development forward. As the country continues to establish itself as a quantum world leader, it is likely that companies like TreQ will be at the forefront of this innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with quantum computing.
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