Tech Venture Fund 1

Equal1 Emerges as Leading Silicon Quantum Computing Patent Holder

With 25 US and international patents granted and 17 patents pending, Equal1's ability to use existing semiconductor manufacturing processes for quantum computing is critical for scalability and commercialization.

Feb 21, 2023

Equal1, a Silicon Valley-based quantum computing company, has announced that it is now one of the leading patent holders in the field of quantum computing worldwide, with 25 US and international patents granted and an additional 17 pending. Equal1's ability to use existing state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing processes for quantum computing sets it apart from competing qubit technologies that require custom manufacturing and ultra-low temperature cryogenic cooling facilities. The scalability of Equal1's technology is critical as the industry scales to real-world quantum computing.

Equal1 is the first quantum company to successfully fabricate quantum-on-chip processors using standard commercial CMOS processes. Their third-generation quantum processor integrates an entire quantum system—qubits, control, and read-out—on a single silicon chip. This breakthrough technology produces quantum computers with unmatched performance and efficiency and in a compact rack-based form factor.

"Being a top patent holder in silicon quantum computing is critical in the next phase of scaling and commercializing quantum computing," said Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1. "Quantum computers will scale and commercially succeed only when built on the foundation of silicon. Computing performance has always advanced mainly through advances in silicon, and quantum computers will be no different."

Equal1's patents cover fundamental areas of silicon-powered quantum computing, including core cryoCMOS technology, quantum device structure, qubit control, quantum AI and neural networks, quantum error correction, and system integration innovations. The company's patent portfolio includes US11214484, which covers the basic Equal1 qubit structure of a single qubit as well as the architecture to scale to 2D quantum dot arrays, and US11202526, which covers Equal1's proprietary error correction methodology.

Several patents below illustrate the importance of the Equal1 portfolio.

  • US11214484: “Planar quantum structures utilizing quantum particle tunneling through local depleted well.” This patent covers the basic Equal1 qubit structure of a single qubit as well as the architecture to scale to 2D quantum dot arrays, critical to the ability to scale to millions of qubits. This patent addresses a core issue facing quantum computing—scalability.

  • US11202526: “Reprogrammable quantum processor architecture incorporating quantum error correction.” This patent covers Equal1’s proprietary error correction methodology, which combines classical, quantum, and AI techniques to produce on-chip, on-the-fly error correction to preserve quantum information. Real-time on-chip error correction is essential as qubits scale to create large-scale quantum computers.

  • US11423322: “Integrated quantum computer incorporating quantum core and associated classical control circuitry.” Every other quantum solution uses technology external to the qubit arrays to manage, control and measure the qubits. This patent covers a Quantum Processor Unit with quantum cores and classic circuitry integrated on a single chip, meaning control and measurement operate at the speed of quantum processing.

Equal1's innovative approach to quantum computing has enabled the company to emerge as a leading player in the industry, with a technology that has proven scalability, performance, and efficiency. As the quantum computing industry continues to scale, Equal1's patented technology will play a vital role in shaping the future of quantum computing.

808 Ventures is proud to be an investor and supporter of Equal1. As a venture capital firm, we are committed to identifying and investing in innovative technologies that have the potential to transform industries and change the world. We believe that quantum computing is one of the most exciting and promising areas of technology today, and Equal1's breakthrough approach to quantum-on-chip processors using standard commercial CMOS processes has the potential to revolutionise the industry.

We look forward to continuing to work with Equal1 to help bring their transformative technology to market and make a positive impact on the world.

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808 Ventures is an investment management firm focused on making early-stage technology investments and backing world-class entrepreneurs to help them build the exceptional companies of tomorrow.