Google Quantum AI Invests in Boston Startup

Quantum computing company QuEra Computing has announced an investment by Google Quantum AI to support its goal to develop useful, scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computers.

QuEra, a Boston startup that develops neutral-atom quantum computers, launched a three-year roadmap to 100 qubits in January.

QuEra said it plans to use the investment to accelerate technological advancements in neutral atoms toward delivering its goals.

These include developing the quantum error correction capabilities needed to deliver practical, scalable quantum computing solutions and additional capabilities.

The investment, the value of which was not disclosed, endorses QuEra’s progress to date. It builds on a collaboration with Harvard and MIT, based on research led by Mikhail Lukin, Vladan Vuletic and Markus Greiner.

Technical collaboration between the companies is also planned.

Google Quantum AI primarily works with superconducting qubits and the investment in QuEra’s neutral atom technology adds to its quantum computing hardware portfolio.

“Google Quantum AI’s strategic investment in QuEra, which we recently closed, is a testament to the strength of our technology, our world-class team and our long-term partnerships with Harvard and MIT,” said QuEra interim CEO Andy Ory.

Related:Overcoming the Errors Holding Quantum Computing Back

“This investment from Google Quantum AI, coupled with an additional financing initiative to be announced in the coming weeks, allows us to execute on our vision and company strategy and positions us as the recognized market leader for neutral atom-based quantum computing solutions.

“Google Quantum AI is a leader in quantum computing and this investment recognizes the potential of different quantum computing technologies and specifically QuEra’s leading neutral-atom technology.” 

QuEra’s quantum solutions are being applied to use cases in materials, chemicals, life sciences/pharma, government, financial services and other compute-intensive industries. It could potentially be used to enable novel AI and machine learning capabilities.

QuEra announced in August that it was partnering with South Korean AI-driven drug development company Quantum Intelligence Corp. (QIC) to use QuEra’s neutral atom-type quantum computers with QIC’s AI drug discovery platform.

The company is also working with Moody’s to apply reservoir computing, a novel machine-learning algorithm particularly suited to quantum computers, to more accurately predict the intensity of tropical cyclones.