Interview with Jan Goetz, Co-CEO and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers
In the last 12 months, IQM has delivered more on-premises full-stack quantum computers to customers globally than any other manufacturer. After being founded by a group of Aalto University scientists in Espoo, Finland, in 2018, IQM has quickly become the leading company in its field.
We talked to IQM's Co-CEO and Co-founder, Jan Goetz, to find out what competitive advantages IQM has and how Espoo's innovation ecosystem has contributed to the company's success.
Recipe for success: chips, productisation, customer focus
IQM builds full-stack quantum computers and delivers them to customers on-site or sells them through the company's cloud offering. So, how has a quantum computing company from Espoo been able to seize leadership in a highly competitive industry?
A simple answer would be that the customers, such as computing and data centres, universities, and other research institutions, buy IQM's quantum computers because they are technologically superior to others. But, while that is true, Goetz further explains what it means to provide the best quantum computers.
"I think we have the best-quality chips inside, which makes us special even though we build full-stack systems. The chips are really the heart of the system — that's where the music plays."
Another success factor is the product readiness level when the customer buys and receives the quantum computer. IQM puts diligent effort into ensuring that its customers always get the best out of the machines.
"We have really productised our quantum computers. While some companies need people to tune up the machines and make sure they stay stable, when our customers receive our quantum computers, the machines are calibrated. And then they kind of run forever."
Goetz points out, however, that the process and customer focus do not end after you've sold the machine and made the customers happy. IQM also focuses heavily on product development, in which the customers play an important role. It's still the early days of quantum tech, and nothing's perfect just yet, so IQM takes customer feedback very seriously and uses it to accelerate product development. [The story continues below the image.]
Why is IQM headquartered in Espoo?
IQM has strong roots in Espoo's innovation community, both from a personnel and company perspective. But the most crucial reason why the company is in Espoo, Goetz explains, is that it makes perfect business sense. And it all starts with the ecosystem.
"We see ourselves very much as an ecosystem enabler. And I think one of the big success stories here in Finland is that we placed our quantum computers here in Espoo with VTT. And this has attracted even more ecosystem players."
"New startups have been formed or moved into the quantum space IQM has helped to build. There are also vital supply chain players like Bluefors on the cryogenic side, as well as semiconductor and ALD companies and other technologies we use to produce our chips. Then there are the big tech companies, which are end users for the quantum technology adoption."
In 2021, IQM unveiled its first quantum computer at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland's piloting and cleanroom facility, Micronova, in Otaniemi, Espoo. Earlier this year, IQM and VTT launched Europe's first 50-qubit quantum computer and signed a deal to deliver a 150-qubit quantum computer in 2026 and a 300-qubit system in 2027 to VTT's premises.
The 150-qubit quantum computer can significantly advance research and scientific development for both IQM and VTT. The two are collaborating, for example, on enabling technologies in connection to IQM's chip production line and process development.
"For us, it's super-important to have a strong research partner like VTT. We always need to develop new and better processes, and by co-developing the products together, we have the same goals and the same incentives."
More cleanroom space and piloting opportunities at Kvanttinova
In the near future in Espoo, more cleanroom space and semiconductor and quantum piloting opportunities will be available to companies at the Kvanttinova hub. Kvanttinova hub will be a new building next to Micronova, which is currently the largest cleanroom in the Nordic countries.
Therefore, the Kvanttinova and Micronova facilities are key infrastructure building blocks for the whole community of companies and R&D players. However, the hub's influence goes beyond Espoo and Finland. VTT is heavily involved in the European pilot lines, as part of the EU Chips Act, giving companies access to the services and processes of other major European operators. This puts Kvanttinova firmly at the centre of the quantum and semiconductor development within the EU.
"The idea is that these processes that are developed within Kvanttinova or the current Micronova can then actually be transferred into our own production lines as well. So, I think this is a super-nice example of how you can enable the whole ecosystem."
"I think this will stimulate a lot of new innovation because if you bring people with good ideas together, probably new innovation is what comes out."
Surprising growth factor: Espoo's international feel
Finland and Espoo are known for their tech focus. But Goetz points out another vital growth factor that may often go unnoticed about IQM's home city: the international atmosphere.
Espoo is home to 150 nationalities, while one-fifth of the population speaks some other language than Finnish as a first language. In Espoo's innovation community, the international feel is even more pronounced. On the Aalto University campus in Otaniemi, for example, there are over 100 nationalities, making Aalto one of Europe's most international universities. IQM employees alone represent more than 50 nationalities.
"Espoo's international feel helps us a lot because we're attracting talent from all over the world. I think that just walking around the Aalto University campus gives you a good sense of the international atmosphere, and that it's very easy for people to adapt to the city and live in Espoo. And I think this makes this a very attractive workplace as well."
In addition to the headquarters, IQM has a production site in Espoo, which used to be situated on the other side of the street from the headquarters. Soon, the site ran out of room to expand, but IQM found another production space in Espoo.
"If you are a company entering the growth stage and needing to invest heavily in infrastructure, I think there are a lot of good offers here in Espoo."
