A technology company based in London announced Thursday it has secured $160 million in investment funding to advance its unique approach to quantum computing using conventional silicon chip manufacturing methods.
Quantum Motion’s strategy focuses on creating quantum computers that would be more compact, cost-effective, and energy-efficient compared to existing alternatives by utilizing standard semiconductor production techniques.
Traditional quantum computers rely on specialized components called qubits, which differ from regular computer transistors by their ability to simultaneously represent multiple states rather than just single binary values. Current quantum computing approaches use various technologies including superconductors employed by companies like IBM and Google’s parent company Alphabet, or laser-targeted neutral atoms.
The main obstacle facing all these methods involves expanding systems to accommodate the thousands or potentially millions of qubits required for practical quantum computing applications. Quantum Motion’s leadership decided to reverse-engineer the problem by starting with components that can already be mass-produced efficiently.
“We just kind of started the company in reverse,” explained James Palles-Dimmock, who serves as Quantum Motion’s CEO. “What are the minimum adaptations that we can make to transistors to turn them into high-quality qubits?”
The company’s technique involves isolating individual electrons within transistor gaps and controlling them through magnetic field manipulation, rather than allowing normal electron flow that occurs in standard computing chips.
While this “electron spin” methodology isn’t completely novel and is being explored by other startups plus Intel, Quantum Motion believes it has developed practical applications through collaboration with manufacturing partner GlobalFoundries. According to Palles-Dimmock, this innovation could enable production of functional quantum computers priced between $10 million and $20 million.
“We’ve got a very clear path to delivering the world’s most powerful computer at a reasonable cost,” Palles-Dimmock stated.
The investment round received co-leadership from DCVC and Kembara, with additional backing from British Business Bank and Firgun. Previous investors including Oxford Science Enterprises, Inkef, Bosch Ventures, Porsche Automobil Holding, and Parkwalk Advisors also participated in the funding.
