Siegen, Germany, March 2023. Quantum computers cope with computing power for which supercomputers need thousands of years. Like that, quantum computers will solve problems that seem unsolvable today. The Siegen-based deep-tech startup eleQtron is playing a key role. Their in-house developed MAGIC technology is unique worldwide. The first freely programmable quantum computers have already been ordered and will be delivered in 2024. Not only the German Federal Ministries of Education and Research, as well as Economics and Climate Protection believe in their mission, but also venture capitalists like Earlybird. So far, eleQtron has been able to obtain funding of 50 million euros.
“Based on our MAGIC concept, we are developing quantum computers specifically tailored to solve commercial problems. The potential is huge, as they enable enormous advances in a wide range of fields: from material research, logistics or supply chain management in industry to individualized products in the pharmaceutical sector and risk management in finance. And this is just the beginning. In the future, quantum computers will solve problems that are unimaginable today,” says Jan Henrik Leisse, Co-Founder and CEO of eleQtron.
What sounds like science fiction today will be reality tomorrow
Quantum computers will significantly change the economic and ecological use of resources – and thus create a disruptive impact. With the ability to solve the most complex computational tasks within seconds, optimization can take place in all industries – from logistics to finance and data security. Medicine and humans will also benefit from quantum computing: For example, drugs can be individually tailored, as metabolic reactions and thus tolerability and efficacy can be taken into account for each individual. Classical search algorithms also won’t be able to keep pace with quantum algorithms. These will be able to find results much faster, more efficiently, and more purposefully from even larger databases.
“Quantum computers herald a paradigm shift in information processing. In this case it is no exaggeration to speak of a turn of an era. The disruptive power is enormous and many times higher than we know from current AI applications. It is important that eleQtron, a startup from Germany, is at the forefront of this future technology,” says Jan Henrik Leisse.
Currently, the biggest challenge in making quantum computers is shielding and controlling the qubits. Qubits are the smallest computational unit of a quantum computer – equivalent to bits in a conventional computer or supercomputer. What makes qubits so special in comparison is that they can assume the states 0 and 1 simultaneously – quite unlike conventional computers. So while a supercomputer calculates all tasks one after the other, or needs more processors for more parallelism, a quantum computer basically calculates everything in parallel. This makes it possible for a quantum computer to take just a few minutes to complete a highly complex task, while a supercomputer takes thousands of years.
MAGIC technology: unique worldwide
The fact that eleQtron will play a key role here has to do with its proprietary MAGIC (MAgnetic Gradient Induced Coupling) technology. Instead of controlling the qubits individually with lasers, eleQtron combines ion trap technology with highfrequency waves. The qubits can thus be better shielded from external interference and much better controlled. The technology is much more precise and scalable. “This is where we are one step ahead worldwide. Our models outperform the international competition by far in the key performance indicators,” says Prof. Dr. Christof Wunderlich (CSO). Wunderlich is the world’s leading expert on quantum computing with radio-frequency controlled trapped ions. He has been conducting research in quantum science for more than 30 years and has collaborated with several Nobel laureates. Similarly to the third founder, Dr. habil. Michael Johanning (CTO). Johanning has also been at home in quantum research for almost 25 years and has worked with Nobel Prize winners in the past. The trio of founders is now surrounded by an international team of 30 experts.
50 million euros for the future
In 2022, the deep-tech startup acquired funding of 50 million euros. This included investments from Earlybird and the Siegerlandfonds, among others. With the ‘MAGIC App’ project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, eleQtron and its cooperation partners also won two contracts worth over 82 million euros. “We are absolutely convinced of our technology and are pleased that others also see the potential. Now we have to continue at full throttle, keep the competition in the rearview mirror and reach the next milestones,” says Jan Henrik Leisse.
About eleQtron:
eleQtron is the first German quantum computer manufacturer. The deep-tech startup started as a research group of the Department of Quantum Optics at the University of Siegen and is now a 30-member team of international experts. In 2020, Prof. Dr. Christof Wunderlich, Dr. habil. Michael Johanning and Jan Henrik Leisse founded eleQtron in Siegen.
The goal: to finally make quantum computers usable for real-world applications. To achieve this, eleQtron relies on its proprietary and groundbreaking MAGIC (MAgnetic Gradient Induced Coupling) technology, which makes the control of ion qubits scalable and very precise. Investors and funders include the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and Earlybird.
