Quantum Brilliance GmbH said today it’s ready to begin mass production of its diamond-based quantum computers after closing on a $20 million early-stage round of funding.

Today’s Series A round was led by the deep-technology fund Main Sequence, the U.S. venture capital firm In-Q-Tel and the Japanese investor Intervalley Ventures. Other participants include the Australian sovereign wealth funds, National Reconstruction Fund Corp. and Breakthrough Victoria, plus Alium Capital Management, Investible and Jelix Ventures.

The startup, which has offices and facilities in Germany and Australia, is pursuing a novel approach to the design of quantum computing hardware, using synthetic diamond-based qubits that can operate at room temperature in any environment. According to the startup, this makes quantum computers much more practical, allowing them to run in data centers, autonomous vehicles, spacecraft and edge computing scenarios.

The approach differs considerably from its quantum computing rivals such as IBM Corp. and Google LLC, which have built machines that must be stored within extreme environments or use wildly sophisticated technologies to work properly. In the case of IBM and Google, their quantum computers must operate at temperatures close to absolute zero (−273.15 °C), while IonQ uses an elaborate system of lasers to manipulate trapped ion-based qubits suspended in a vacuum.

On the other hand, Quantum Brilliance says, its quantum computers do not need any specialist cryogenic systems, precision laser arrays or vacuum environments, which makes them much easier to build and more energy efficient. Its synthetic diamond-based quantum accelerators mean that its qubits can be kept stable in any environment. It developed the technology in collaboration with the Australian National University in Canberra.

The startup explains that it makes use of the unique properties of the “nitrogen-vacancy center” in diamonds, which can protect against the noise of thermal vibrations and magnetic impurities emanating from the Earth’s core, which can destabilize qubits. Essentially, it encases its qubits in diamonds, and it claims that this approach means its quantum accelerators have shown the longest coherence time of any solid-state electron spin at room temperatures.

By using diamonds, the company says, it can also make quantum computers in a much smaller form factor than any of its rivals. It hopes that it will eventually be able to miniaturize the technology and build quantum accelerators that are as small as modern computer chips, giving rise to the possibility of quantum laptops, smartphones and tablets.

With today’s investment, Quantum Brilliance plans to construct its first quantum diamond factory, build prototypes for emerging quantum sensing use cases, and fulfill its existing commitments with early adopters of its technology.

“This funding represents a significant step forward for QB as we advance the design, performance and manufacturability of diamond quantum devices,” said Chief Executive Mark Luo.

The startup has already made substantial progress since its last major funding round in February 2023, when it banked $18 million. For instance, it recently announced it’s partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to integrate its diamond quantum accelerators within that organization’s existing high-performance computing systems to help power next-generation “artificial intelligence factories.”

Last year, the startup was awarded a multimillion-dollar contract by Germany’s national cybersecurity agency, Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH, to create what will be the world’s first mobile quantum computer, for deployment in remote environments.

IQT Managing Director Nat Puffer said diamond-based quantum technology already has practical applications in the development of compact and ruggedized quantum sensors. “We believe this technology will play a pivotal role in addressing strategic challenges across industries and critical national priorities,” he said.

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