C12, a Quantum Computing Firm Launched by Identical Twins, Secures $19.4M in Funding

C12 has recently announced a successful funding initiative, securing €18 million (which translates to approximately $19.4 million, considering the current exchange rate). This endeavor began back in 2020 when it emerged as a spinoff from the esteemed Physics Laboratory at the École Normale Supérieure. Its innovation rests on a groundbreaking method to construct quantum computers through the usage of carbon nanotubes.

Quantum computing exists at the forefront of technology, representing a significant area of ongoing research. Various teams across the globe explore this field from diverse perspectives, aiming to develop a scalable quantum computer that performs calculations accurately and with minimal errors.

But the essential question remains: Why the necessity for quantum computing? Present-day computers operate fully on electronic transistors. Technological strides have allowed us to miniaturize these transistors significantly, enabling us to increase the computing power exponentially over the last six decades.

However, modern computing architectures face their limitations. Despite expanding data centers, certain complex problems remain unsolvable via conventional computing means. The future applicability of Moore’s Law also stands in question.

Hence, the pivot towards quantum computing.

“Simulating a chemical reaction in exhaustive detail, to predict how new pharmaceuticals interact with human cells, falls outside the capabilities of traditional computing,” shared Pierre Desjardins, co-founder and CEO of C12, in an interview with TechCrunch.

“Numerous optimization challenges, be it in transportation, logistics, or manufacturing sectors, prove too formidable for conventional computational approaches due to the complexity and multitude of variables involved,” he added.

Pierre Desjardins, alongside his brother Matthieu, who holds a PhD in quantum physics and serves as the company’s CTO, are at the forefront of this research. Pierre even regards his brother as a “scientific genius.”

In an era leaning heavily towards AI, in 2024, the significance of quantum computing research becomes even more pronounced. Pierre notes, “Training sizable language models today involves a hefty energy consumption, whereas quantum computing presents a much more energy-efficient methodology.”

Constructing a Quantum Computer

C12 differentiates itself through the adoption of carbon nanotubes and a specialized nano-assembly technique, now patented, for its quantum computing endeavors.

“We might be the sole entity globally mastering this extraordinary process – aligning a carbon nanotube atop a silicon chip. The nanotube’s diameter is astonishingly 10,000 times thinner than a human hair,” remarked Pierre.

While leading corporations like Google, IBM, and Amazon explore quantum computing through superconducting materials such as aluminum on silicon substrates, C12 champions a novel approach they believe surpasses these early developments, especially as we encounter scalability concerns with increased qubits.

C12 has initiated its inaugural production line in a Parisian basement near the Pantheon, where carbon nanotubes are manufactured, controlled, and then integrated onto silicon substrates.

“The production line is operational. Presently, we produce roughly one chip weekly for testing in our small-scale data center,” Pierre stated, tempering expectations for an immediate quantum computing breakthrough as the focus remains on essential validation of one or two qubit chips.

Emulating Quantum Computing

Aside from manufacturing, C12 is developing its ecosystem, including an emulator named Callisto. This system allows developers to experiment with quantum code on classical computers, preparing them for the eventual transition to quantum computing.

C12’s emulator is finding applications in the chemical and energy sectors for simulating chemical reactions and tackling optimization challenges, notably in a partnership with Air Liquide.

Following the recent funding round, backed by Varsity Capital, EIC Fund, Verve Ventures, and returning investors such as 360 Capital, Bpifrance’s Digital Venture fund, and BNP Paribas Développement, C12 is poised to expand its industrial partnerships and further its research ambitions.

Currently, C12 boasts a diverse team of 45 members from 18 different nationalities, including 22 PhDs. With the newly acquired funds, the company aims to not only forge new industrial collaborations but also to achieve the pioneering feat of a quantum operation between two distantly placed qubits, marking a significant stride towards scalable quantum computing.