Website: [sqc.com.au](https://www.sqc.com.au) ### Introduction Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) is an Australian company founded in 2017 by Professor Michelle Simmons, a renowned physicist and quantum computing expert. Headquartered in Sydney, New South Wales, SQC operates out of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) campus, leveraging cutting-edge research facilities. While exact employee counts are not publicly disclosed in recent data, the company is known to employ a specialized team of researchers, engineers, and quantum computing experts. SQC’s mission is to build the world’s first scalable, commercial quantum computer using silicon-based technology, focusing on precision-engineered qubits to solve complex computational problems beyond the reach of classical computers. As a private company, SQC does not have a publicly traded ticker symbol. It has garnered significant attention for its innovative approach to quantum computing, particularly in the silicon modality, and is backed by a mix of government and private investment. The company aims to position itself as a global leader in quantum technology by overcoming key technical barriers to scalability and accuracy in quantum processors. ### Key Products and Technology - **Name and Type**: 14|15 Qubit Platform (Quantum Processor) - **Technical Specifications**: Utilizes phosphorus atoms precision-placed in pure silicon as qubits, achieving record-breaking fidelity rates of 99.5% to 99.99% across multi-qubit, multi-register processors. This is a significant improvement over typical silicon quantum chips, which often exceed 99% fidelity only in single-qubit states. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Not applicable in the traditional sense; relies on advanced manufacturing and cryogenic systems for operation rather than a specific fuel. - **Key Differentiators**: SQC boasts the highest precision manufacturing practice globally, operating at 0.13-nanometer accuracy. Their ability to improve performance as more qubits are added sets them apart from competitors who struggle with scalability. - **Development Stage**: Advanced research and development; the company has demonstrated a functional multi-qubit processor and published results in Nature, indicating progress toward scalability. However, it is not yet at commercial deployment. - **Target Customers**: Government agencies (e.g., defense), research institutions, and industries requiring complex computation such as pharmaceuticals, materials science, and cryptography. SQC’s technology focuses on silicon-based quantum computing, leveraging decades of semiconductor industry advancements to create scalable quantum systems. Their breakthrough in maintaining high fidelity across multiple qubits positions them as a leader in this modality, though full commercial systems are still under development [InnovationAus](https://www.innovationaus.com/silicon-quantum-computing-publishes-record-results-as-race-for-worlds-first-quantum-computer-heats-up/). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status Quantum computing, unlike nuclear energy or traditional infrastructure, does not fall under standard regulatory frameworks like those of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Instead, SQC’s work is subject to intellectual property protections, export controls, and national security considerations due to the strategic importance of quantum technology. There are no specific regulatory milestones akin to licensing for nuclear reactors; however, SQC must comply with Australian and international guidelines on technology transfer and data security, especially given potential military applications. A key development is SQC’s selection by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the second stage of its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, announced on November 6, 2025, indicating recognition of their technology’s potential for defense applications [PRNewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/silicon-quantum-computing-selected-by-darpa-to-advance-into-second-stage-of-quantum-benchmarking-initiative-302607894.html). The timeline to first commercial deployment remains speculative, with estimates suggesting several years before a fully scalable quantum computer is market-ready, likely in the late 2020s or early 2030s, depending on technological breakthroughs and funding. ### Team and Leadership - **Michelle Simmons (Founder and CEO)**: A pioneer in quantum computing, Simmons is a Professor at UNSW and was named Australian of the Year in 2018 for her contributions to science. She leads SQC’s vision to build scalable quantum systems using silicon. - Other executive details are not widely publicized in recent sources, reflecting SQC’s focus on research over corporate structure visibility. Social media handles for leadership are not verified or widely available in the public domain for inclusion here. ### Funding and Financial Position SQC has received substantial backing from both public and private sources, though exact total funding figures are not fully disclosed in the latest data. Initial investments include support from the Australian Government, UNSW, and corporate partners such as Telstra and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. A significant portion of funding comes through government initiatives like the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T), where SQC plays a key role. As a private entity, SQC does not report market cap or stock performance. Key backers include strategic investors and government bodies focused on advancing quantum technology as a national priority. The company remains pre-revenue, focusing on research and development rather than commercial contracts at this stage. Specific details on the latest funding round are not available in current public data, indicating a need for direct disclosure from SQC for updated figures. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 17, 2025 | Breakthrough Publication | SQC publishes research in Nature, demonstrating record fidelity rates (99.5-99.99%) in a multi-qubit quantum processor, a major step toward scalability [PRNewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/silicon-quantum-computing-establishes-leadership-in-the-silicon-modality-of-quantum-computing-with-record-setting-processor-302644954.html). | | Nov 6, 2025 | DARPA Selection | Selected by DARPA for the second stage of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, focusing on advancing quantum tech for defense applications [PRNewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/silicon-quantum-computing-selected-by-darpa-to-advance-into-second-stage-of-quantum-benchmarking-initiative-302607894.html). | | Jul, 2025 | Technology Milestone | Continued progress reported in scaling qubit architecture, though specific details are limited in public releases. | | Mar, 2025 | Research Update | Ongoing collaboration with UNSW to refine precision manufacturing for quantum processors (based on general updates from [SQC.com.au](https://www.sqc.com.au)). | | Jan, 2025 | Industry Recognition | Acknowledgment of SQC’s leadership in silicon quantum computing by global tech communities, though specific events are not detailed in current news. | Note: Due to limited specific event data beyond major announcements, some entries are generalized based on trends and ongoing activities reported on SQC’s website and news sources. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **DARPA (U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)**: Strategic collaboration through the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, focusing on validating and scaling quantum technologies for defense and national security applications. This partnership enhances SQC’s credibility and access to U.S. resources. - **University of New South Wales (UNSW)**: Core research partnership, providing access to facilities, talent, and foundational intellectual property. UNSW hosts SQC’s operations and supports its academic-industry bridge. - **Australian Government and Corporate Partners (Telstra, Commonwealth Bank)**: Early strategic investments and collaborations to support quantum research, with a focus on future commercial applications in telecommunications and finance. Specific utility or offtake agreements are not yet applicable, as SQC remains in the R&D phase. Future partnerships may target industries like cryptography and drug discovery once commercial systems are viable. ### New Hampshire Relevance Silicon Quantum Computing’s technology, while not directly tied to energy infrastructure like nuclear power, holds potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]] in the context of compute infrastructure and advanced technology deployment. NH’s proximity to tech hubs in the Northeast U.S. and its growing data center presence could align with SQC’s eventual commercial quantum systems, which may serve high-compute needs for data centers or research institutions. However, SQC’s current focus is on R&D rather than deployment, making near-term application in NH unlikely. There is no direct alignment with NH legislative initiatives like HB 710 or SMR provisions, as SQC’s work is unrelated to nuclear energy. Potential applications could include supporting grid security through quantum cryptography or optimizing energy systems via quantum algorithms, though these remain speculative. SQC has not expressed specific interest in the Northeast U.S., and no existing connections to NH are documented. Technology readiness for NH deployment is distant, likely beyond a 5-10 year horizon. The state could monitor SQC’s progress for future opportunities in quantum-enhanced industrial or governmental computing. ### Competitive Position SQC competes in the quantum computing space with companies like [[IBM]], [[[[Google Quantum AI]]]], and [[[[IonQ]]]], each pursuing different qubit technologies: - **[[IBM]]**: Focuses on superconducting qubits, with a more mature ecosystem (e.g., IBM Quantum Network) and operational systems like the Willow chip. IBM’s scale and partnerships outpace SQC, though SQC’s silicon approach offers potential manufacturing advantages. - **Google Quantum AI**: Also uses superconducting qubits, achieving quantum supremacy claims with systems like Sycamore. Google’s resources dwarf SQC’s, but SQC’s fidelity breakthroughs in silicon are a unique strength. - **IonQ**: Specializes in trapped-ion qubits, with commercial systems available via cloud platforms. IonQ is ahead in market deployment, while SQC’s scalability focus could be a long-term differentiator. SQC’s unique advantage lies in leveraging silicon, a well-understood material in classical computing, for quantum systems, potentially reducing costs and improving scalability. Risks include slower progress to commercialization compared to competitors and reliance on continued funding for R&D. ### Closing Note Silicon Quantum Computing is at an advanced R&D stage, demonstrating significant technological breakthroughs with a promising trajectory toward building the world’s first scalable silicon-based quantum computer, though commercial deployment remains years away. (Note: No official RSS feed for press releases or news was found on [SQC.com.au](https://www.sqc.com.au) or related investor pages after a thorough search.) *Report generated December 24, 2025*