How Espoo's collaborative spirit gives IQM an edge in quantum competition

Hop on the light rail tram in Espoo, and you'll be quickly transported to perhaps the world's most concentrated area of quantum technology expertise. Within a couple of tram stops, you can reach many of Finland's leading quantum players. One of these is IQM Quantum Computers (IQM), the European leader in building on-premises quantum computers. 

IQM was founded in 2018, as it spun out of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto University. Now, the company has its own quantum computer fabrication facility, design, software, and one of the largest quantum engineering teams in the world. In addition to its Espoo HQ, IQM has offices in the US, Germany, France, Poland, and Singapore.

Collaboration over competition

Like many other VTT and Aalto spin-offs, IQM has embraced its strong ties to Espoo's open innovation community. Together with VTT, IQM launched Finland's first quantum computer in 2021. Last year, they unveiled the 20-qubit version. And currently, the two are building a 50-qubit computer set to be launched later in 2024. In addition, IQM has had a successful recruitment collaboration with Aalto and a supercomputer partnership with CSC – IT Center for Science, for example.

Working in an ecosystem where a spirit of collaboration reigns over competition has given IQM opportunities to flourish and grow. Milja Kalliosaari, IQM's Government Relations Manager, explains how the collaborative spirit and the supportive community of people and companies around them benefit not only IQM but all companies working in Espoo. 

"Overall, the mindset in Espoo and Finland is that the success of one company benefits the whole community. Together, we're stronger. Espoo is also a very international city. IQM has a unique and very multinational group of people who enjoy the sense of community here and have a very good experience of living in Espoo."

Espoo's innovation community enables quantum success 

Because quantum computers have more computing power than classic computers, quantum computers can be used to compute and solve some of humanity's biggest challenges. In addition, the advancement of the quantum industry will challenge the development of all industries. For companies that want to benefit from the growth opportunities provided by the quantum revolution, Espoo offers a highly advanced and accessible quantum ecosystem. 

"Espoo is the heart of research and technology in Finland. There's plenty of talent, and key quantum players like Aalto, VTT, and CSC are close neighbours. Also, the City of Espoo has provided strong support for the quantum industry, for example, in building the Kvanttinova infrastructure," says Kalliosaari. 

Kvanttinova is an industry-driven piloting and development facility for quantum and microelectronics technology. It is to be located near Micronova — the site for the largest cleanroom in the Nordics — in Otaniemi, Espoo. As part of the Chips Finland initiative, Kvanttinova will help companies grow and make Finland one of Europe's leading quantum and microelectronics hubs. 

So, board the light rail tram at its Espoo terminus in Keilaniemi, and in no time at all, you'll arrive in an ecosystem where you can find companies like IQM, the highest-level quantum talent and research organisations, the largest cleanroom in the Nordics, and the coming Kvanttinova facility.

"It's an inside joke at IQM that the new tram line is a "quantum tram," Kalliosaari concludes.

Image: IQM