Quobly SAS raises $150M in Series A

Quobly SAS, a French quantum computing startup, has secured $150 million in a Series A funding round led by STMicroelectronics NV. This round, supported by investors including Bpifrance, SEALSQ, and Isalt, aims to commercialize Quobly's silicon spin qubit technology. This follows an earlier €40 million fundraising effort that allowed the company to demonstrate the viability of its technology.

Quobly's quantum chip design utilizes a silicon spin qubit architecture, leveraging quantum dots—tiny semiconducting crystals hosting individual electrons as qubits. The technology encodes information using the spin of these electrons but faces challenges such as coordinating numerous electrons in quantum dots and accurately reading computation results. Quobly claims to address these with isolated quantum dot arrays and by replacing traditional charge sensors with gate-based reflectometry to read results more efficiently and compactly.

The strategic significance of STMicroelectronics’ involvement cannot be overstated. The collaboration is crucial for Quobly's transition from validating its technology to industrial-scale production. STMicroelectronics plans to manufacture Quobly chips using 300-millimeter silicon wafers, with an emphasis on utilizing the silicon-28 isotope to reduce noise—a key factor in enhancing quantum chip performance.

In the broader quantum computing landscape, Quobly's progress is indicative of ongoing innovation in the pursuit of scalable, efficient quantum systems. The company plans to deploy its first commercial quantum computer by 2026, with an interim goal to achieve a system with 100 qubits next year. Long-term, Quobly aspires to develop machines with a million qubits by 2032, indicating significant challenges and potential advancements in quantum architecture.

Looking ahead, Quobly's collaboration with STMicroelectronics signifies an aggressive push toward commercialization, but it also must navigate uncertainties typical in quantum technology development. The successful scaling of its technology will depend on meeting planned milestones, efficient integration of new sensing methodologies, and maintaining momentum in an increasingly competitive sector.