French quantum computing company Alice & Bob is taking a significant step toward accelerating fault-tolerant quantum computing by investing $50 million in a new quantum computing center in Paris. This move marks a strategic effort to shift from pure research to the commercialization of quantum technologies.
The facility will support the development of Alice & Bob’s next-generation quantum chips, leveraging their proprietary cat qubit technology designed to overcome long-standing challenges in quantum error correction.
Alice & Bob has partnered with Bluefors, a provider of cryogenic equipment, and Quantum Machines, a specialist in hybrid control solutions, to outfit the state-of-the-art facility. These collaborations aim to provide the critical infrastructure needed to advance the company’s ambitious plans, including the development of its large-scale quantum computer, Graphene, which is projected to feature 100 logical qubits by 2030.
The new 4,000 square meter facility will house a dedicated nanofabrication cleanroom for prototyping advanced quantum processing units (QPUs). A cryostat farm equipped with 20 Bluefors dilution refrigerators will allow researchers to experiment with new chip designs under the ultra-low temperatures required for quantum systems. Quantum Machines will supply the advanced control systems necessary to manage the complex interactions between quantum and classical computing environments, essential for optimizing the performance of quantum processors.
Cat Qubit Technology
According to Alice & Bob CEO Théau Peronnin, the new lab is a critical milestone for France’s quantum infrastructure and positions the country as a leader in the global race toward practical quantum computing. “Our lab will allow Alice & Bob to develop technology that can be tested by real clients and end users, as our company’s focus moves from exclusive research to commercialization,” said Peronnin.
Alice & Bob’s cat qubit technology is central to its approach. Unlike traditional qubits, cat qubits significantly reduce bit-flip errors, a major obstacle to scaling quantum computers. This hardware-efficient design makes it possible to build more powerful quantum computers using less space, hardware, and energy than many competitors. The company claims its approach could reduce the hardware requirements for large-scale quantum computers by as much as 200 times compared to alternative methods.
The facility will also play a key role in fostering collaboration across disciplines. In addition to the lab, modern workspaces designed for brainstorming and workshops will encourage innovation between engineers, researchers, and business teams.
For partners Bluefors and Quantum Machines, the collaboration with Alice & Bob represents an opportunity to push the boundaries of quantum technology. Dr. Itamar Sivan, co-founder and CEO of Quantum Machines, emphasized the potential impact of this initiative. “The hardware-efficient method developed by Alice & Bob offers a novel route to fault-tolerant quantum computing and has the potential to significantly lower the resources required for utility-scale quantum error correction,” he said.
David Gunnarson, Chief Technology Officer at Bluefors, also highlighted the importance of this partnership. “Bluefors cryogenic solutions support more stable and efficient quantum systems, and Alice & Bob’s hardware-efficient cat qubit is a very interesting application for them,” he noted, underscoring the value of integrating Bluefors’ dilution refrigeration technologies into the facility’s experimental environment.
The new center also signals a broader commitment to strengthening Europe’s position in quantum technology innovation. François Charbonnier, Investment Director at Bpifrance, called the initiative a significant milestone for the French quantum industry, noting that Alice & Bob’s accelerated quantum chip development cycle positions the company and Europe as major players in the global race for practical quantum computing solutions.
Founded in 2020, Alice & Bob has raised over €130 million in funding and employs more than 100 people across its Paris and Boston offices. The company’s cat qubit technology has already attracted attention from major tech firms, including Amazon, and outperformed industry giants such as Google and IBM in trial outcomes. With this new facility, Alice & Bob aims to accelerate the development of market-ready quantum chips and bring practical, fault-tolerant quantum computing closer to reality.
