IOP recognises “great business idea founded on a physics invention, with the potential for business growth and significant societal impact”
We are thrilled to announce that Universal Quantum has been awarded a prestigious Institute of Physics Business Start-up Award for its work developing the world’s first million-qubit quantum computer. Our unique design for a scalable quantum computer features electronic modules based on silicon technology, connected using ultrafast electric field links to form an architecture that truly scales.
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics, and the leading body for practising physicists, in the UK and Ireland. With a rich history of supporting business innovation and growth, it is committed to working with ‘physics-based’ businesses, and companies that apply and employ physics and physicists.
The IOP’s prestigious Business Awards are unique in the UK and Ireland in recognising the significant contribution that physicists and physics make in industry.
There are three categories of awards — Business Innovation, Business Start-Up and the Lee Lucas Award (for the medical and healthcare sector) — so businesses at any stage of their development are eligible; from start-ups to multi-national corporations.
The IOP Business Start-Up Award specifically recognises and celebrates young companies with a great business idea founded on a physics invention, with the potential for business growth and significant societal impact.
Our co-founder and chief scientist, Professor Winfried Hensinger, said: “To do anything useful for society with quantum computers, these machines need to get much bigger. We have been focused on scalability from day one and our original blueprint for a fully integrated, modular trapped-ion quantum computer addresses the many challenges to achieve this.”
“Our machine has already achieved record-breaking connections between modules, operates at a temperature where lots of cooling power is available to enable scaling to large qubit numbers and uses electronic gate technology with a handful of globally applied microwave fields required instead of complex laser technology. We’re delighted to receive this award. Our technology and team are both scaling fast and this recognition from the IOP will undoubtedly help us fuel this growth and realise our ambition to build the world’s first million-qubit quantum computer.”
Institute of Physics Deputy Chief Executive, Rachel Youngman, said: “The IOP Business Awards recognise and reward the achievements of physics-based businesses at all stages and of all sizes. Whether well-established or a start-up, an SME or corporation, these innovative companies are making significant contributions to the UK and Ireland’s scientific research and development, driving innovation and supporting the economy.
“All of this year’s winners have creatively applied physics to bring about positive change to individuals, societies or economies, by tackling a new problem or improving on a previous solution, and all are thoroughly deserving of an IOP Business Award.”
“Recent events have underlined the absolute necessity to encourage and reward our scientists. We rely on their dedication and innovation for our lifestyles, well-being and safety.”
