Planqc

From HandWiki

planqc is a quantum computing company based in Garching.[1][2] Founded in 2022 as a spin-off from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, the company develops quantum processors that use neutral atoms trapped in optical lattices of light to perform computations.[3]

History

planqc was founded in 2022 by Alexander Glätzle, Sebastian Blatt, and Johannes Zeiher as the first spin-off from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics within the Munich Quantum Valley initiative.[4] The company is part of broader European efforts to develop locally built quantum computing technologies.[5] The company’s founders and leadership include researchers formerly affiliated with the University of Oxford, Harvard University, and the University of California, Berkeley.[6]

In the same year, planqc secured seed funding of approximately €4.6 million from UVC Partners and Speedinvest to support the development of its neutral-atom quantum processors.[7][8] Among the investors were Hermann Hauser, Ann-Kristin Achleitner, and Markus Wagner, who also joined the company's advisory board.[9]

planqc’s scientific advisory board includes researchers in quantum physics, such as Immanuel Bloch, J. Ignacio Cirac, Artur Ekert, Dieter Jaksch, and Markus Müller.[10][11]

In 2023, the company was selected by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to develop a 1,000-qubit quantum computer under a contract valued at approximately €29 million.[12][13]

In 2024, planqc was selected to lead a €21 million project to build a 1,000-qubit system integrated into the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) high-performance computing infrastructure.[14][15] The initiative forms part of Germany’s broader national quantum-computing programme, in which neutral-atom systems are being developed for scalable hardware and for applications in scientific and industrial simulation.[16] The same year, the company completed a €50 million Series A funding round led by CATRON Holding and DTCF.[17][18] In parallel, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) announced an investment to support planqc’s further development.[19][20]

In 2025, planqc announced collaborations with the European Space Agency (ESA), Airbus, the Fraunhofer Institutes, and the consulting firm d-fine, to explore industrial applications of quantum computing, including materials science, climate modeling, and mobility optimization.[21] The work also includes joint research with the Technical University of Munich on quantum-based algorithms for aerodynamics and aircraft-stability simulations.[16]

Later that year, planqc received the Deutscher Gründerpreis (German Founders Award) in the “Start-up” category.[22][23]

Technology

planqc builds quantum processors using ultracold neutral atoms confined in optical traps. Neutral-atom platforms are used internationally as an alternative route to scalable quantum processors, with multiple industrial groups developing architectures based on programmable atom arrays.[24] The atoms are manipulated using laser pulses to implement qubits and quantum gates. The platform operates at room temperature and is designed for integration into high-performance computing systems.[25][3]

References

  1. ↑ "German commercial register". Ministry of Justice of North Rhine-Westphalia. https://www.handelsregister.de. 
  2. ↑ "Planqc GmbH – Company Profile & News". Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/2093618D%3AGR. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Quantentechnologie – Europas Weg in das Quantenzeitalter". MIT Technology Review (Heise Medien) (8/2025): 15-17, 36-37. November 2025 – February 2026. 
  4. ↑ "Scalable quantum computer with neutral atoms". Bayern Innovativ. 2023-05-04. https://www.bayern-innovativ.de/en/emagazine/detail/en/page/scalable-quantum-computer-with-neutral-atoms. 
  5. ↑ "Das sind die 18 europäischen Start-ups mit den besten Zukunftsideen". Handelsblatt. 2025-05-26. https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/start-ups/start-ups-das-sind-die-18-europaeischen-start-ups-mit-den-besten-zukunftsideen/100122288.html. 
  6. ↑ "Wie Forschungs-Milliarden eingesetzt werden". Handelsblatt. 2023-02-15. https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/regierung-kernfusion-und-ki-wie-forschungs-milliarden-eingesetzt-werden/100159576.html. 
  7. ↑ "Planqc raises seed round to develop scalable quantum computers based on neutral atoms". Munich Startup. 2022-07-01. https://www.munich-startup.de/en/83599/quantum-computing-startup-planqc-secures-46-million-euros/. 
  8. ↑ "Millionen für Quantencomputer: Start-up Planqc macht Hoffnung auf deutschen Hightech-Standort". Handelsblatt. 2022-06-28. https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/quantencomputing-millionen-fuer-quantencomputer-start-up-planqc-macht-hoffnung-auf-deutschen-hightech-standort/28461746.html. 
  9. ↑ "Hermann Hauser invests and takes board seat at quantum computing startup planqc". Sifted. 2023-02-23. https://sifted.eu/articles/hermann-hauser-planqc-quantum-computing-news. 
  10. ↑ "Scientific Advisors". Planqc. https://planqc.eu/company/about-planqc. 
  11. ↑ "Max-Planck-Scientists found planqc to build highly scalable quantum computer". Munich Quantum Center. 2022-06-20. https://www.munich-quantum-center.de/news-and-events/news/max-planck-planqc-scalable-quantum-computer.html. 
  12. ↑ "DLR QCI awards contract worth 29 million euros for the development of a quantum computer based on neutral atoms". German Aerospace Center (DLR). 2023-04-27. https://qci.dlr.de/en/dlr-qci-awards-contract-worth-29-million-euros-for-the-development-of-a-quantum-computer-based-on-neutral-atoms/. 
  13. ↑ "Atomic shells become computational building blocks". German Aerospace Center (DLR). 2023-04-27. https://www.dlr.de/en/latest/news/2023/02/atomic-shells-become-computational-building-blocks. 
  14. ↑ "Planqc to lead development of German government-funded 1,000-qubit quantum computer". DataCenterDynamics. 2024-11-13. https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/planqc-to-lead-development-of-german-government-funded-1000-qubit-quantum-computer/. 
  15. ↑ "Germany Backs planqc with €20M for 1000-Qubit Neutral-Atom Quantum System at LRZ". 2024-11-15. https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/germany-backs-planqc-with-e20m-for-1000-qubit-neutral-atom-quantum-system-at-lrz/. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Der Wunderrechner aus München". Der Spiegel (40). 2025-09-25. https://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/index-2025-40.html. Retrieved 2025-11-19. 
  17. ↑ "Planqc raises €50 million Series A to build scalable quantum computers". Sifted. 2024-07-08. https://sifted.eu/articles/planqc-raises-50m-series-a-news. 
  18. ↑ "Germany-based Planqc snaps €50M to build scalable quantum computers". Tech Funding News. 2024-07-08. https://techfundingnews.com/germany-based-planqc-snaps-e50m-to-build-scalable-quantum-computers/. 
  19. ↑ "The Future Fund: DeepTech & Climate Fund invests in quantum computing startup planqc". Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). 2024-07-08. https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/Redaktion/EN/Pressemitteilungen/2024/07/20240708-quantum-computing-start-up-planqc.html. 
  20. ↑ "Atoms in a quantum register: 1,200 atoms in one quantum register—A breakthrough". ElektronikNet (ElektronikNet GmbH). 2024-10-10. https://www.elektroniknet.de/halbleiter/1200-atome-in-einem-quantenregister-ein-durchbruch.220937.html. Retrieved 2025-11-19. 
  21. ↑ "Planqc Builds Blueprint for Scalable Neutral-Atom Quantum Computers". Aerospace & Defence. 2025-08-18. https://www.aerospace-and-defence.com/planqc-blueprint-scalable-neutral-atom-quantum-computers-a-958ccb692dbb9d29205079bd37cd708a/. 
  22. ↑ "Planqc erhält Deutschen Gründerpreis". Pro Physik. 2025-09-17. https://pro-physik.de/nachrichten/planqc-erhaelt-deutschen-gruenderpreis. 
  23. ↑ "Deutscher Gründerpreis für Planqc". Munich Startup. 2025-09-17. https://www.munich-startup.de/112708/deutscher-gruenderpreis-fuer-planqc/. 
  24. ↑ "Google und Softbank investieren 230 Millionen in US-Start-up". Handelsblatt. 2025-02-12. https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/quantencomputer-google-und-softbank-investieren-230-millionen-in-us-start-up/100107405.html. 
  25. ↑ El Morsalani, Mohamed (12 September 2024). "The Landscape of Quantum Technologies in Germany: A Detailed Review of Initiatives, Innovations and Applications". https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383976336. Retrieved 20 November 2025. 



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