Swiss Startup Raises $4.2M to Resolve Quantum Computing ScalabilitySwiss Startup Raises $4.2M to Resolve Quantum Computing Scalability

Swiss quantum computing startup ZuriQ has raised $4.2 million in seed funding to enable trapped-ion quantum computer architecture to scale.

The ETH Zurich university spinout aims to overcome fundamental scalability barriers associated with current trapped-ion systems, which rely on one-dimensional qubit chains.

ZuriQ’s approach uses a combination of electric and magnetic fields to enable two-dimensional ion movement, addressing the limitations of traditional architectures. This positions the company to scale toward systems capable of handling thousands of qubits, paving the way for practical, large-scale quantum computing.

“The space for few-qubit devices that act as toy models is already saturated,” said ZuriQ chief technology officer Pavel Hrmo. “Devices with 20-40 qubits won't drive large profits. We need to focus on long-term scalability and demonstrate that our platform can grow the number of ions in two dimensions faster than our competitors.”

While ZuriQ’s method required rethinking the fundamental computational building block from scratch, it retains compatibility with established control techniques widely used within the trapped-ion research community.

ZuriQ's approach originated in the labs of the research university ETH Zurich. The company is on track to demonstrate its first prototype later this year, showcasing a reconfigurable two-dimensional grid with dozens of ions.

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ZuriQ plans to commercialize its technology through direct sales and cloud-based access to its quantum computing systems. These systems are designed to target industries that demand high data privacy, such as pharmaceuticals and financial services.

The $4.2 million seed round was led by Founderful, with participation from SquareOne, First Momentum Ventures, OnSight Ventures and QAI Ventures. The funding is expected to accelerate ZuriQ’s efforts to overcome the scalability challenges limiting current trapped-ion quantum computers.