(We originally posted this in 2021. You can read more of our original ideas in our archive.)
This post is inspired by The Quantum Daily.
I first learned about Quantum Computing when one of my classmates and friends from college Jessica Pointing told us about it over our Sunday dinner group. She had just returned from a conference that week where she was invited to speak on the topic. Below is one of her videos explaining what quantum computing is.
Now, Jessica is a PhD student at Stanford where she studies the practical applications of quantum computing. As she describes,
One of my main areas of research actually is the applications of what could we do with a quantum computer. Because a quantum computer is a fundamentally new type of computer, we actually have to think specifically “what are the problems we could solve faster.”
Below is a list of 12 problems to be solved through Schrödinger's Unicorns to become billion dollar companies.
Applied Quantum Technologies:
AI Drug Discovery: XtalPi, an American-Chinese biotech firm, is a giant in using artificial intelligence to drive drug discovery
Cryptography: ID Quantique has raised $74.6 million to provide quantum cryptography for data protection solutions. Based in Geneva, the company’s quantum cryptographic products include quantum key distribution systems, quantum safe network encryption, single photon counters, and hardware random number generators.
Quantum-as-a-Service: Cambridge Quantum Computing — or CQC — is a full-stack quantum company that is already creating products for a number of uses, including quantum AI (NLP) and quantum cybersecurity.
Hardware
Building quantum computers: PsiQuantum is aiming to build the first general purpose quantum computer using silicon photonic qubits.
Developing quantum infrastructure: It is a full stack quantum computing company that designs and manufactures quantum computing and superconducting electronics. D-Wave specializes in the adiabatic approach.
Silicon: Based on technology developed in the Australia Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, Silicon Quantum Computing are working toward a quantum integrated circuit prototype in silicon.
Software
Rigetti Computing develops hardware and software solutions for quantum computers. The company is based in Berkeley, California. Bessemer led last year’s $79 million series C Round, which was announced August 2020. The startup’s total funding is estimated to be around $198,450,000.
IonQ is developing a general-purpose trapped ion quantum computer, along with software to help generate and optimize quantum circuits. The company, which was founded in 2015, brought in an estimated $84 million in funding.
Zapata Computing, which develops quantum software and algorithms for businesses, recently announced $38 Million in funding for Series B financing in fall of 2020, bringing its total funding to $67.4 million. The Boston-based team is led by Christopher Savoie.
Tangential Quantum Services
Ostendo considers itself the home of the world’s only quantum photonic imager. The imager is used in mini projectors that have a range of applications in commercial, consumer and government industries.
ColdQuanta’s offerings include laser-cooled and ultra-cold atom equipment that is necessary for many types of quantum technologies. Robert “Bo” Ewald serves as the company’s president and CEO. Professor Dana Z. Anderson is a co-founder and CTO.
Headquartered in Scotland, M Squared Lasers is a photonic-focused quantum company with a mission “to move novel science from the lab and into the real world and we’re dedicated to advancing the global scientific agenda, so that the next generation inherits new technologies and exciting challenges.”
Contributed by: Michael Bervell (Billion Dollar Startup Ideas)