Bengaluru firm opens quantum foundry to accelerate quantum computing in Karnataka

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QpiAI, a city-based deep-tech firm that builds quantum computing and AI solutions, on Monday opened a quantum foundry aimed at strengthening capabilities in quantum processor manufacturing and accelerating the development of quantum computing technologies.

The 8-inch quantum foundry has completed its Phase 2, enabling QpiAI to manufacture flip-chip-based superconducting qubits with up to 128 qubits. With Phase 3, slated for completion next year, QpiAI aims to scale its capability to fabricate up to 10,000 physical qubits on a single quantum processing unit (QPU).

The facility also provides the capability to manufacture peripheral chips and sensors used in quantum computers. QpiAI has already fabricated four QPUs — the 8-qubit Qvidya, 25-qubit Indus, 64-qubit Kaveri, and 9-qubit Yukti. While Qvidya, Indus, and Kaveri use transmon-based qubits, Yukti is based on QpiAI’s variation of fluxonium qubits and has shown exceptional promise in error-corrected logical qubits, according to the company.

Inaugurating the quantum foundry, IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge, said the establishment of advanced quantum manufacturing capabilities in Bengaluru was an important step in strengthening the State’s deep-tech ecosystem. “The next step is to translate these capabilities into real-world applications. The IT department will work with QpiAI, other corporates, and specialised technology companies to explore opportunities for implementation and build stronger industry-led pathways for quantum technology,” he said.

Mr. Kharge also toured the facility and was briefed on QpiAI’s quantum processor manufacturing capabilities, research, and development infrastructure, and technology roadmap.

Nagendra Nagaraja, CEO and founder of QpiAI, said manufacturing facilities for QPUs were essential. QpiAI has a roadmap for Quantum Supremacy Centres (QSCs), which will host error-corrected QPUs along with clusters of AI processors to form highly effective and efficient hybrid quantum-AI data centres, he said.

“To enable this larger ambition and reach 10,000 physical qubits, and eventually, when multiple QPUs are connected in clusters, form 10,000 logical qubits, the quantum foundry is crucial,” he said, adding that QpiAI’s quantum compute facility is hosted in a 70,000-sq.-ft. R&D centre comprising the foundry, QPU testing facility, and quantum solution development.

Mr. Nagaraja added, “The first QpiAI QSC is coming up on 10 acres of land with 3,00,000 sq. ft. of built-up space. We plan to have four more QSCs outside India. QSCs are ‘Quantum AI factories’ which will churn out quantum solutions based on quantum advantage.”

QpiAI’s quantum foundry will enable the company’s QSCs to achieve their objective of attaining quantum commercialisation, he said.

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