{{Short description|Quantum Computing Company}} {{Lowercase title}} '''planqc''' is a quantum computing company based in Garching.<ref>{{cite web |title= German commercial register|url=https://www.handelsregister.de |publisher=Ministry of Justice of North Rhine-Westphalia |access-date=2025-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Planqc GmbH – Company Profile & News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/2093618D%3AGR |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref> 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.<ref name="MIT Review">{{cite magazine|title=Quantentechnologie – Europas Weg in das Quantenzeitalter|magazine=MIT Technology Review| issue=8/2025| date=November 2025 – February 2026|publisher=Heise Medien|pages=15-17, 36-37}}</ref>
== 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.<ref name="MQC">{{cite web |title=Scalable quantum computer with neutral atoms |url=https://www.bayern-innovativ.de/en/emagazine/detail/en/page/scalable-quantum-computer-with-neutral-atoms |publisher=Bayern Innovativ |date=2023-05-04 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref> The company is part of broader European efforts to develop locally built quantum computing technologies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Das sind die 18 europäischen Start-ups mit den besten Zukunftsideen |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/start-ups/start-ups-das-sind-die-18-europaeischen-start-ups-mit-den-besten-zukunftsideen/100122288.html|work=Handelsblatt|date=2025-05-26|access-date=2025-11-19}}</ref> The company’s founders and leadership include researchers formerly affiliated with the University of Oxford, Harvard University, and the University of California, Berkeley.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wie Forschungs-Milliarden eingesetzt werden |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/regierung-kernfusion-und-ki-wie-forschungs-milliarden-eingesetzt-werden/100159576.html |work=Handelsblatt |date=2023-02-15 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planqc raises seed round to develop scalable quantum computers based on neutral atoms|url=https://www.munich-startup.de/en/83599/quantum-computing-startup-planqc-secures-46-million-euros/|publisher=Munich Startup |date=2022-07-01 |access-date=2025-11-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Millionen für Quantencomputer: Start-up Planqc macht Hoffnung auf deutschen Hightech-Standort |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/quantencomputing-millionen-fuer-quantencomputer-start-up-planqc-macht-hoffnung-auf-deutschen-hightech-standort/28461746.html |work=Handelsblatt |date=2022-06-28 |access-date=2025-11-10}}</ref> Among the investors were Hermann Hauser, Ann-Kristin Achleitner, and Markus Wagner, who also joined the company's advisory board.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hermann Hauser invests and takes board seat at quantum computing startup planqc |url=https://sifted.eu/articles/hermann-hauser-planqc-quantum-computing-news |work=Sifted |date=2023-02-23 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref>
planqc’s scientific advisory board includes researchers in quantum physics, such as Immanuel Bloch, J. Ignacio Cirac, Artur Ekert, Dieter Jaksch, and Markus Müller.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scientific Advisors |url=https://planqc.eu/company/about-planqc |publisher=Planqc |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref><ref name="MQCadvisors">{{cite web |title=Max-Planck-Scientists found planqc to build highly scalable quantum computer |url=https://www.munich-quantum-center.de/news-and-events/news/max-planck-planqc-scalable-quantum-computer.html |publisher=Munich Quantum Center |date=2022-06-20 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref>
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.<ref name="DLRaward">{{cite web |title=DLR QCI awards contract worth 29 million euros for the development of a quantum computer based on neutral atoms |url=https://qci.dlr.de/en/dlr-qci-awards-contract-worth-29-million-euros-for-the-development-of-a-quantum-computer-based-on-neutral-atoms/ |website=qci.dlr.de |publisher=German Aerospace Center (DLR) |date=2023-04-27 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref><ref name="DLRnews">{{cite web |title=Atomic shells become computational building blocks |url=https://www.dlr.de/en/latest/news/2023/02/atomic-shells-become-computational-building-blocks |publisher=German Aerospace Center (DLR) |date=2023-04-27 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref>
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.<ref name="DCD">{{cite news |title=Planqc to lead development of German government-funded 1,000-qubit quantum computer |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/planqc-to-lead-development-of-german-government-funded-1000-qubit-quantum-computer/ |work=DataCenterDynamics |date=2024-11-13 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref><ref name="HPCwire">{{cite web |title=Germany Backs planqc with €20M for 1000-Qubit Neutral-Atom Quantum System at LRZ |url=https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/germany-backs-planqc-with-e20m-for-1000-qubit-neutral-atom-quantum-system-at-lrz/ |website=HPCwire |date=2024-11-15 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Spiegel_Wunder" /> The same year, the company completed a €50 million Series A funding round led by CATRON Holding and DTCF.<ref>{{cite news |title=Planqc raises €50 million Series A to build scalable quantum computers |url=https://sifted.eu/articles/planqc-raises-50m-series-a-news |work=Sifted |date=2024-07-08 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Germany-based Planqc snaps €50M to build scalable quantum computers |url=https://techfundingnews.com/germany-based-planqc-snaps-e50m-to-build-scalable-quantum-computers/ |publisher=Tech Funding News |date=2024-07-08 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref> In parallel, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) announced an investment to support planqc’s further development.<ref name="BMWK">{{cite web |title=The Future Fund: DeepTech & Climate Fund invests in quantum computing startup planqc|url=https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/Redaktion/EN/Pressemitteilungen/2024/07/20240708-quantum-computing-start-up-planqc.html|publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)|date=2024-07-08|access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref><ref name="MarktTechnik2025">{{cite magazine|title=Atoms in a quantum register: 1,200 atoms in one quantum register—A breakthrough |magazine=ElektronikNet|url=https://www.elektroniknet.de/halbleiter/1200-atome-in-einem-quantenregister-ein-durchbruch.220937.html |publisher=ElektronikNet GmbH|date=2024-10-10|access-date=2025-11-19 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planqc Builds Blueprint for Scalable Neutral-Atom Quantum Computers |url=https://www.aerospace-and-defence.com/planqc-blueprint-scalable-neutral-atom-quantum-computers-a-958ccb692dbb9d29205079bd37cd708a/|publisher=Aerospace & Defence |date=2025-08-18 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref> The work also includes joint research with the Technical University of Munich on quantum-based algorithms for aerodynamics and aircraft-stability simulations.<ref name="Spiegel_Wunder">{{cite magazine|author=<!-- not stated --> |date=2025-09-25|title=Der Wunderrechner aus München|magazine=Der Spiegel|issue=40|url=https://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/index-2025-40.html|access-date=2025-11-19}}</ref>
Later that year, planqc received the Deutscher Gründerpreis (German Founders Award) in the “Start-up” category.<ref name="DGPProPhysik">{{cite web |title=Planqc erhält Deutschen Gründerpreis |url=https://pro-physik.de/nachrichten/planqc-erhaelt-deutschen-gruenderpreis |publisher=Pro Physik |date=2025-09-17 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref><ref name="DGPMunichStartup">{{cite web |title=Deutscher Gründerpreis für Planqc |url=https://www.munich-startup.de/112708/deutscher-gruenderpreis-fuer-planqc/ |publisher=Munich Startup |date=2025-09-17 |access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref> == 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.<ref name="HB_GoogleQuera">{{cite news|title=Google und Softbank investieren 230 Millionen in US-Start-up|work=Handelsblatt|date=2025-02-12|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/quantencomputer-google-und-softbank-investieren-230-millionen-in-us-start-up/100107405.html|access-date=2025-11-19 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="QCLandscape">{{cite web|last=El Morsalani|first=Mohamed| date=12 September 2024|title=The Landscape of Quantum Technologies in Germany: A Detailed Review of Initiatives, Innovations and Applications| website=ResearchGate|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383976336|accessdate = 20 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="MIT Review" />
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.planqc.eu/ Official website]
Category:Quantum computing Category:Quantum information science Category:Companies involved in quantum computing Category:Computer companies of Germany