The quantum computing revolution is no longer a distant promise—it’s unfolding right now in laboratories and fabrication facilities around the world, powered by unlikely heroes: silicon, a metalloid, and synthetic diamond, an allotrope of carbon. Silicon, the same material that enabled the digital age, is now being engineered at the atomic level to trap individual electrons and maintain quantum states for unprecedented durations. Meanwhile, synthetic diamonds embedded with precisely placed defects are creating quantum sensors that operate at room temperature, solving real-world problems from medical imaging to navigation.

What makes this moment particularly exciting for investors and technologists alike is the convergence of quantum physics with established semiconductor manufacturing. Unlike exotic quantum approaches requiring near-absolute-zero temperatures and isolated laboratory conditions, quantum technologies can leverage decades of chip-making expertise and existing fabrication infrastructure. Companies from Silicon Valley to Sydney are racing to commercialize these technologies, backed by over a billion dollars in venture funding and strategic investments from tech giants and governments worldwide. The roster of investors reads like a who’s who of technology and finance: BlackRock, Microsoft, Founders Fund, Boeing, and major telecommunications companies are all betting that metalloids will unlock quantum computing’s commercial potential.

This isn’t just another speculative technology bubble—it’s a systematic progression from today’s quantum random number generators securing financial transactions to tomorrow’s cryptography-breaking quantum computers that will reshape global security. The timeline ahead reveals a clear path: specialized sensors and communication devices in the next three years, industry-specific quantum processors for drug discovery and financial modeling within seven years, and transformative quantum-classical hybrid systems within fifteen years. Each milestone builds on proven semiconductor techniques while pushing the boundaries of what’s computationally possible, creating a roadmap that’s both ambitious and achievable.

How Do Silicon & Other Metalloids Enable Quantum Computing?

Metalloids play a crucial role in quantum computing primarily through silicon, which serves as the foundation for many quantum computing platforms. Silicon quantum dots can trap individual electrons whose spin states function as qubits – the fundamental units of quantum information. The semiconductor properties of silicon allow precise control over these electrons through electric fields, enabling quantum gate operations essential for quantum computation.

Silicon‘s isotopic purity is particularly important for quantum computing. Natural silicon contains about 5% silicon-29, which has nuclear spin that can interfere with qubit coherence. By enriching silicon to contain mostly silicon-28 (which has no nuclear spin), researchers can create an extremely quiet magnetic environment where electron spin qubits can maintain coherence for remarkably long times – up to seconds in some cases. This long coherence time is critical for performing complex quantum calculations before decoherence destroys the quantum information.

The semiconductor nature of metalloids enables the fabrication of quantum devices using established microelectronics manufacturing techniques. Silicon quantum dots can be created using the same lithography and etching processes used in classical chip manufacturing, potentially allowing quantum processors to be mass-produced. Additionally, the ability to dope silicon with other elements provides fine control over its electrical properties, enabling the creation of the complex electrode structures needed to manipulate qubits.

Germanium, another metalloid, is increasingly important in quantum computing. Silicon-germanium heterostructures can create quantum wells with superior properties for confining electrons and holes. Germanium also has favorable properties for hosting hole spin qubits, which can be manipulated faster than electron spin qubits and may offer advantages in certain quantum computing architectures.

Beyond serving as the physical platform, metalloids’ unique position between metals and non-metals gives them tunable properties essential for quantum devices. Their bandgap can be engineered through alloying and strain, allowing optimization of quantum confinement. Their compatibility with both metallic contacts and insulating layers enables the complex multi-layer structures required in quantum processors. As quantum computing continues to advance, the special properties of metalloids – particularly their semiconductor behavior, isotopic purity potential, and manufacturing compatibility – make them indispensable for building practical quantum computers.

How Do Diamonds Enable Quantum Computing?

Diamonds serve as one of the most promising platforms for quantum computing through their unique atomic defects, particularly nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. These defects occur when a nitrogen atom replaces a carbon atom adjacent to a vacant lattice site in the diamond’s crystal structure. The NV center creates an isolated quantum system with an electron spin that can be manipulated and measured at room temperature, unlike many other quantum computing approaches that require extreme cooling to near absolute zero. This room-temperature operation represents a significant practical advantage for developing scalable quantum technologies.

The quantum properties of NV centers make them exceptional qubits – the fundamental units of quantum information. These defects possess long coherence times, meaning they can maintain their quantum states for extended periods before environmental interference causes decoherence. The electron spins in NV centers can exist in superposition states, embodying the fundamental quantum mechanical property where a qubit can be in multiple states simultaneously. Additionally, multiple NV centers can be entangled, creating the quantum correlations necessary for quantum algorithms to outperform classical computers on certain computational tasks.

Diamond-based quantum computers rely on precise control mechanisms to manipulate these NV centers. Scientists use a combination of microwave pulses, laser light, and magnetic fields to initialize, manipulate, and read out the quantum states of the NV centers. Green laser light excites the NV centers, causing them to emit red fluorescence that varies depending on their spin state, enabling optical readout of quantum information. Microwave radiation drives transitions between different spin states, allowing researchers to perform quantum gate operations – the building blocks of quantum algorithms. This optical addressability means individual NV centers can be controlled and measured with high precision using focused laser beams.

Beyond serving as qubits themselves, NV centers in diamond can act as quantum sensors to detect and control nearby nuclear spins, particularly carbon-13 atoms in the diamond lattice. These nuclear spins can serve as additional qubits with even longer coherence times than the electron spins, creating a hybrid system where the NV center acts as a control interface for a larger quantum register. This capability enables the construction of small quantum processors within a single diamond crystal, where quantum information can be stored, processed, and transferred between different spin systems.

The challenges facing diamond quantum computing include scaling up the number of qubits, improving the fidelity of quantum operations, and developing efficient methods for connecting distant NV centers. Current research focuses on engineering synthetic diamonds with precisely placed NV centers, developing better control techniques, and exploring hybrid approaches that combine diamond qubits with other quantum technologies. While diamond-based systems may not compete with superconducting or trapped ion quantum computers in terms of qubit count in the near term, their unique advantages – including room-temperature operation, long coherence times, and potential for integration with photonic networks – position them as valuable components in the diverse landscape of quantum computing technologies.

When Will We Have Quantum Computing?

The quantum technology timeline reveals a strategic progression from current commercial applications to transformative future systems. Today’s market already features quantum random number generators from companies like ID Quantique and Quantum Dice using silicon photonics, alongside early quantum sensors from Element Six and Quantum Brilliance leveraging diamond technology. Within the next 2-3 years, we’ll see specialized applications emerge including defense magnetometry from SBQuantum, clinical imaging enhancement from NVision, and semiconductor inspection tools from QuantumDiamonds, marking the transition from laboratory curiosities to practical industrial tools.

The mid-term horizon (3-7 years) promises significant expansion into high-value commercial sectors. Silicon photonics will enable quantum communications through PsiQuantum’s networking components, while Intel’s Horse Ridge control chip and silicon spin qubits will power quantum simulation platforms. Financial optimization, drug discovery, and chemical simulation represent the killer applications for this phase, with companies like Equal1, Menten AI, and Quantum Motion targeting these lucrative markets. This period will likely determine which technical approaches prove most commercially viable.

The long-term outlook (7-15+ years) envisions the integration of quantum systems into mainstream computing infrastructure. Quantum machine learning accelerators from Intel and imec, hybrid quantum-classical systems from IBM and QuTech, and eventually cryptography-scale quantum computers from Silicon Quantum Computing and HRL Laboratories represent the ultimate goals. These systems will leverage decades of silicon manufacturing expertise while incorporating novel materials like silicon-germanium alloys, potentially revolutionizing fields from energy storage optimization to cryptographic security. The timeline suggests that while quantum advantage for specific applications is imminent, the full quantum revolution will unfold over the next two decades.

A Quantum Technology Timeline: Silicon & Diamond Are Essential Raw Materials

Quantum technologies are experiencing a remarkable transformation from laboratory experiments to commercial reality, with a clear progression from today’s specialized applications to tomorrow’s revolutionary computing systems. Currently, companies like ID Quantique and Quantum Dice are already generating revenue with silicon-based quantum random number generators that secure financial transactions and government communications, while Element Six and Quantum Brilliance deliver room-temperature diamond quantum sensors for magnetic field detection and edge computing. Within 2-3 years, this foundation will expand as SBQuantum enables GPS-free navigation for defense applications, NVision Imaging revolutionizes medical diagnostics with molecular-resolution MRI, and QuantumDiamonds provides atomic-scale defect detection for semiconductor manufacturing.

The mid-term horizon (3-7 years) represents a critical inflection point where quantum technologies transition from niche applications to essential business tools. Initial infrastructure deployment (3-5 years) will see PsiQuantum and Xanadu creating silicon photonic quantum networks for secure communications, while Intel’s Horse Ridge control systems paired with silicon spin qubits enable practical quantum simulations. This foundation rapidly expands into industry-specific solutions (5-7 years) where Equal1’s processors tackle financial optimization, Menten AI combines quantum computing with AI for drug discovery, and Quantum Motion simulates complex chemical reactions, proving quantum computing’s value in sectors where computational advantages translate directly to billions in savings or accelerated innovation.

The long-term evolution (7-15+ years) will fundamentally reshape computing and society through three transformative phases. Specialized quantum accelerators (7-10 years) will see Intel and imec enabling quantum machine learning applications while Oxford Ionics revolutionizes materials discovery. These evolve into hybrid quantum-classical systems (10-15 years) as IBM’s silicon-germanium processors and QuTech’s silicon arrays tackle optimization challenges, with Diraq specifically targeting renewable energy storage and grid optimization. The ultimate transformation (15+ years) arrives when Silicon Quantum Computing and HRL Laboratories achieve cryptography-scale systems with millions of logical qubits, fundamentally disrupting current encryption standards and necessitating entirely new security infrastructure.

The timeline demonstrates how quantum technology is not merely a future promise but a present reality delivering tangible value, with each phase building upon previous achievements to create an ecosystem of developers, algorithms, and infrastructure necessary for increasingly transformative applications. The impact spans every major sector: cybersecurity transitions from random number generators to quantum-resistant cryptography; healthcare advances from enhanced imaging to molecular-level drug design; manufacturing evolves from defect detection to materials discovery; and energy systems progress from optimization algorithms to revolutionary storage solutions. This comprehensive transformation represents one of the most significant technological shifts of the 21st century, comparable to the digital revolution – but potentially even more profound in its implications for science, industry, and society.

Near-Term (0-3 years)

In the near-term (0-3 years), quantum technologies are rapidly transitioning from laboratory curiosities to commercial realities, with currently available products like ID Quantique and Quantum Dice’s silicon-based quantum random number generators already securing financial transactions and government communications, while Element Six and Quantum Brilliance’s diamond quantum sensors operate at room temperature for practical magnetic sensing and edge computing applications. This commercial foundation will expand significantly within 2-3 years as SBQuantum and Qnami deploy diamond magnetometers for GPS-free navigation critical to defense operations, NVision Imaging revolutionizes medical diagnostics with quantum-enhanced MRI achieving molecular resolution, and QuantumDiamonds addresses the semiconductor industry’s urgent need for atomic-scale defect detection. This progression from today’s cybersecurity and sensing applications to tomorrow’s navigation, medical imaging, and manufacturing solutions demonstrates how metalloid quantum technologies are solving immediate real-world problems while building the commercial infrastructure, technical expertise, and market confidence necessary for the more transformative quantum computing applications that will emerge in subsequent years, proving that quantum technology is not just a future promise but a present reality delivering tangible value across multiple industries.

Already Commercial:

• Quantum random number generation: ID Quantique (silicon photonic QRNGs), Quantum Dice (silicon-based quantum entropy sources)
• Early quantum sensors: Element Six (synthetic diamond with SiV centers), Quantum Brilliance (diamond quantum accelerators)

Currently commercial metalloid-based quantum technologies are already generating revenue and proving their value, with ID Quantique and Quantum Dice leveraging silicon photonics and silicon-based quantum entropy sources to produce truly random numbers essential for unhackable encryption keys and secure communications, addressing immediate cybersecurity needs for banks, governments, and data centers. Meanwhile, Element Six’s synthetic diamonds embedded with silicon-vacancy centers and Quantum Brilliance’s diamond quantum accelerators are delivering the first generation of quantum sensors operating at room temperature, enabling practical applications in magnetic field detection, chemical sensing, and edge computing without the complex cooling requirements of other quantum systems. These commercially available products represent the vanguard of quantum technology adoption, demonstrating that metalloid-based quantum devices can solve real problems today while generating sustainable business models, providing crucial proof points for investors and establishing the supply chains, manufacturing processes, and customer relationships that will support the broader quantum revolution as more sophisticated applications emerge over the coming years.

2-3 years:

Defense/aerospace quantum magnetometry: SBQuantum (diamond magnetometers for navigation), Qnami (quantum sensing probes)

Clinical quantum imaging: NVision Imaging Technologies (diamond-based MRI enhancement)

Semiconductor metrology: QuantumDiamonds (quantum sensors for chip inspection)

In the near-term (2-3 years), metalloid and diamond-based quantum technologies will deliver immediate practical applications in critical sectors, with SBQuantum and Qnami deploying diamond magnetometers for GPS-independent navigation systems crucial for defense and aerospace applications where traditional positioning fails, while NVision Imaging Technologies enhances MRI capabilities using diamond quantum sensors to achieve molecular-level resolution for earlier disease detection and more precise medical imaging. Simultaneously, QuantumDiamonds will revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing quality control with quantum sensors capable of detecting nanoscale defects in chips, addressing the critical need for advanced metrology as transistors approach atomic scales. These applications represent the first wave of quantum technologies reaching market maturity, where the unique properties of diamond NV centers and other metalloid-based quantum systems solve pressing real-world problems that cannot be addressed with classical technologies, providing immediate value in navigation, healthcare, and manufacturing while establishing the commercial viability of quantum devices.

Mid-Term (3-7 years)

In the mid-term horizon (3-7 years), metalloid-based quantum technologies will transition from research to commercial reality across multiple sectors, beginning with foundational infrastructure (3-5 years) as PsiQuantum and Xanadu deploy silicon photonic quantum networks for secure communications, Quantum Brilliance introduces room-temperature diamond sensors for medical diagnostics, and Intel’s Horse Ridge control systems paired with SiQure’s processors enable practical quantum simulations. This foundation will rapidly expand into industry-specific applications (5-7 years) where Equal1’s silicon processors tackle financial optimization, Menten AI combines diamond NV centers with AI for revolutionary drug discovery, and Quantum Motion’s silicon quantum dots simulate complex chemical reactions. This progression represents a critical inflection point where quantum computing moves from isolated laboratory achievements to integrated commercial solutions, with metalloid platforms proving their value in telecommunications security, precision medicine, pharmaceutical development, and financial modeling, establishing quantum computing as an essential tool for industries where computational advantages directly translate to competitive advantages and accelerated innovation cycles, while simultaneously building the ecosystem of quantum developers, algorithms, and infrastructure necessary for the more transformative applications that will follow in subsequent decades.

3-5 years:

Silicon photonics quantum communications: PsiQuantum (silicon photonic quantum networking components), Xanadu (photonic quantum processors)

Medical quantum sensors: Quantum Brilliance (room-temperature diamond quantum sensors)

Quantum simulation platforms: Intel (Horse Ridge control chip, silicon spin qubits), SiQure (silicon quantum processors)

In the 3-5 year timeframe, metalloid and related quantum technologies will achieve critical breakthroughs in communication, sensing, and simulation, with PsiQuantum and Xanadu leveraging silicon photonics to create quantum networking components and processors that enable secure quantum communication channels and distributed quantum computing. Medical applications will emerge through Quantum Brilliance’s room-temperature diamond quantum sensors capable of detecting single molecules for early disease diagnosis and precision medicine, while Intel’s Horse Ridge control chip combined with silicon spin qubits and SiQure’s silicon quantum processors will deliver the first practical quantum simulators capable of modeling complex quantum systems for research applications. This period represents the transition from laboratory demonstrations to early commercial deployments, where metalloid-based quantum devices begin solving real problems in secure communications, medical diagnostics, and scientific research, establishing the infrastructure and proving grounds for more ambitious applications in subsequent years.

5-7 years:

Financial quantum applications: Equal1 (silicon-based quantum processors for optimization)

Drug discovery platforms: Menten AI (combining quantum with AI for drug design using diamond NV centers)

Chemical simulation: Quantum Motion (silicon quantum dots for molecular simulation)

In the 5-7 year timeframe, metalloid and related quantum platforms will begin delivering specialized commercial applications across high-value industries, with Equal1’s silicon-based quantum processors targeting financial optimization problems like portfolio management and risk analysis, while Menten AI combines quantum computing using diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers with AI to accelerate drug discovery by predicting protein folding and molecular interactions. Simultaneously, Quantum Motion’s silicon quantum dot technology will enable practical chemical simulations for understanding catalytic processes and reaction pathways, marking a crucial transition where quantum computing moves from proof-of-concept demonstrations to solving specific industry problems that provide clear economic value, particularly in sectors where even modest quantum advantages can translate to billions in savings or accelerated development timelines for critical pharmaceuticals and materials.

Long-Term (7-15 years)

Over the long term (7-15+ years), metalloid-based quantum computing will evolve through three transformative phases, beginning with specialized quantum accelerators (7-10 years) where Intel’s full-stack silicon systems and imec’s silicon qubit arrays enable quantum ML applications while Oxford Ionics’ platforms revolutionize materials discovery and drug development. This foundation will expand into practical hybrid quantum-classical systems (10-15 years) as IBM’s silicon-germanium processors and QuTech’s silicon spin arrays tackle real-world optimization challenges, with Diraq’s CMOS quantum processors specifically targeting energy storage and grid optimization crucial for renewable energy adoption. The ultimate evolution (15+ years) will see Silicon Quantum Computing’s quantum dots and HRL Laboratories’ silicon-germanium qubits achieve cryptography-scale systems with thousands to millions of logical qubits, fundamentally disrupting current encryption standards and necessitating quantum-resistant security infrastructure. This progression from specialized accelerators to hybrid systems to cryptography-breaking platforms represents the maturation of metalloid-based quantum computing from niche applications to transformative technology that will reshape machine learning, materials science, energy infrastructure, and global cybersecurity, leveraging the unique properties of silicon and germanium to build scalable, manufacturable quantum processors using existing semiconductor fabrication techniques.

7-10 years:

Quantum ML accelerators: Intel (full-stack silicon quantum systems), imec (silicon qubit arrays)

Materials discovery platforms: Oxford Ionics (silicon-compatible quantum processors)

In the 7-10 year timeframe, metalloid-based quantum computing will enable specialized quantum machine learning accelerators, with Intel developing full-stack silicon quantum systems and imec creating silicon qubit arrays that can efficiently handle quantum algorithms for pattern recognition, optimization, and data analysis tasks that complement classical ML pipelines, potentially offering exponential speedups for specific problems like feature mapping and quantum neural networks. Simultaneously, these quantum processors will revolutionize materials discovery, with companies like Oxford Ionics building silicon-compatible quantum platforms capable of simulating molecular interactions and material properties at the quantum level, accelerating the development of new catalysts, superconductors, and advanced materials that would take decades to discover through traditional computational chemistry methods, fundamentally changing how we approach drug discovery, clean energy materials, and nanotechnology development.

10-15 years:

Hybrid quantum-classical systems: IBM (silicon-germanium quantum processors), QuTech (silicon spin qubit arrays)

Energy storage optimization: Diraq (silicon CMOS quantum processors)

Within the next 10-15 years, metalloid-based quantum computing will mature into practical hybrid quantum-classical systems that tackle real-world optimization problems, with IBM’s silicon-germanium quantum processors and QuTech’s silicon spin qubit arrays operating as specialized accelerators alongside traditional computers to solve computationally intensive tasks that benefit from quantum advantages while maintaining classical control and error correction. A key application area will be energy storage optimization, where companies like Diraq are developing silicon CMOS quantum processors that can model complex battery chemistries and optimize grid-scale energy distribution problems, leveraging quantum algorithms to find optimal configurations for renewable energy storage systems that would be computationally prohibitive for classical computers alone, potentially revolutionizing how we manage intermittent renewable energy sources and accelerate the transition to sustainable power grids.

15+ years:

Cryptography-scale systems: Silicon Quantum Computing (silicon quantum dots), HRL Laboratories (silicon-germanium qubits)

In the 15+ year timeframe, metalloid-based quantum computing is expected to achieve cryptography-scale capabilities through advanced silicon platforms, with Silicon Quantum Computing pursuing silicon quantum dot architectures that leverage the material’s exceptional coherence properties and manufacturing scalability, while HRL Laboratories develops silicon-germanium qubit systems that combine the benefits of both metalloids for enhanced qubit control and performance. These approaches aim to scale to the thousands or potentially millions of logical qubits required to implement algorithms like Shor’s algorithm for factoring large numbers, which would fundamentally challenge current RSA encryption standards and necessitate the widespread adoption of quantum-resistant cryptographic methods, representing a pivotal moment when quantum computers transition from solving specialized problems to threatening the security infrastructure underlying global digital communications.

Quantum Computing Company Profiles

The quantum computing sector is experiencing rapid growth with companies pursuing diverse approaches to harness the unique properties of silicon, germanium, and diamond materials. Leading the silicon charge are companies like PsiQuantum, which has raised $665M to build utility-scale quantum computers using silicon photonics, and Silicon Quantum Computing, backed by the Australian government and major corporations. Others like Diraq, Equal1, and Quantum Motion are focusing on making quantum processors compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure, potentially accelerating the path to commercial viability.

Diamond-based quantum technologies represent another major thrust, with companies leveraging diamond’s exceptional properties for both computing and sensing applications. Quantum Brilliance is developing room-temperature diamond quantum accelerators, while Element Six (backed by De Beers) creates synthetic diamond materials with silicon and germanium vacancy centers. The quantum sensing segment includes QuantumDiamonds for semiconductor inspection, NVision for medical imaging, and SBQuantum for navigation applications, demonstrating the breadth of commercial opportunities beyond pure computing.

The investor landscape reveals strong confidence in the sector, with participation from venture capital giants (Founders Fund, BlackRock), strategic corporates (Microsoft, Bosch, Porsche), and government entities. Notable patterns include the heavy involvement of European and Australian investors alongside Silicon Valley firms, and the strategic backing by traditional semiconductor and telecommunications companies. This diverse funding base, combined with the range of technical approaches from room-temperature operation to photonic integration, suggests the metalloid quantum computing sector is maturing rapidly toward commercial deployment.

Diraq

Developing silicon CMOS quantum processors compatible with existing chip fabs.

• Homepage: https://www.diraq.com
• Investors: Quantonation, Foundamental

Element Six

Developing synthetic diamond materials with silicon and germanium vacancy centers for quantum applications.

• Homepage: https://www.e6.com
• Investors: De Beers Group (parent company)

Equal1

Irish company creating silicon-based quantum processors for edge computing.

• Homepage: https://www.equal1.com
• Investors: Atlantic Bridge, btov Partners

HRL Laboratories

Research lab developing silicon-germanium quantum computing technology.

• Homepage: https://www.hrl.com
• Investors: Boeing, General Motors (joint venture)

ID Quantique

Pioneer in quantum-safe security solutions using silicon photonics for QRNGs and QKD.

• Homepage: https://www.idquantique.com
• Investors: SK Telecom, private investors

Intel

Major semiconductor company developing silicon spin qubits and cryogenic control chips (Horse Ridge).

• Homepage: https://www.intel.com
• Investor Relations: https://www.intc.com

NVision Imaging Technologies

Developing diamond-based quantum sensors for medical imaging enhancement.

• Homepage: https://www.nvision-imaging.com
• Investors: Earlybird Venture Capital, MIG Capital

Oxford Ionics

Building high-performance quantum computers using electronic qubit control compatible with silicon.

• Homepage: https://www.oxionics.com
• Investors: Braavos Investment Advisers, OSI

PsiQuantum

Building utility-scale quantum computers using silicon photonics manufacturing.

• Homepage: https://www.psiquantum.com
• Investors: BlackRock, Microsoft, Founders Fund ($665M raised)

Qnami

Swiss company producing quantum sensing probes based on diamond technology.

• Homepage: https://www.qnami.com
• Investors: Venture Kick, High-Tech Gründerfonds

Quantum Brilliance

Creating room-temperature diamond quantum accelerators and sensors.

• Homepage: https://www.quantumbrilliance.com
• Investors: Main Sequence Ventures, CP Ventures

Quantum Dice

Oxford spinout commercializing silicon-based quantum random number generators.

• Homepage: https://www.quantum-dice.com
• Investors: Parkwalk Advisors, Oxford Science Enterprises

QuantumDiamonds

Munich-based startup developing quantum sensors for semiconductor inspection.

• Homepage: https://www.quantumdiamonds.de
• Investors: IQ Capital, Earlybird

Quantum Motion

UK company developing silicon quantum computing processors using standard semiconductor manufacturing.

• Homepage: https://www.quantummotion.tech
• Investors: Bosch Ventures, Porsche SE, British Patient Capital

SBQuantum

Developing quantum diamond magnetometers for navigation and geophysics.

• Homepage: https://www.sbquantum.com
• Investors: DCVC, Radical Ventures

Silicon Quantum Computing

Australian company developing silicon quantum dot qubits.

• Homepage: https://www.sqc.com.au
• Investors: Australian government, Commonwealth Bank, Telstra

SiQure

UK startup building silicon quantum processors for near-term applications.

• Homepage: https://www.siqure.com
• Investors: Speedinvest, Golden Egg Check

Investing In The Quantum Computing Revolution

For investors seeking exposure to quantum computing through public markets, here are the key opportunities:

Direct developers like IBM and Intel are actively building quantum systems, with IBM offering cloud quantum services and Intel developing silicon spin qubits that leverage their existing fabrication infrastructure. STMicroelectronics also engages in direct development through quantum sensors and silicon photonics research.

The enabling technology category includes equipment manufacturers crucial for quantum development: Applied Materials and Lam Research provide essential fabrication tools to quantum startups, while ASML‘s monopoly on advanced lithography technology makes it indispensable for creating quantum circuits. These companies benefit from selling the “picks and shovels” of the quantum revolution without taking on the technical risks of quantum computer development.

Potential beneficiaries like TSMC and Skyworks Solutions are positioned to gain as the industry scales. TSMC could become the manufacturing partner of choice for quantum startups needing advanced fabrication, while Skyworks’ expertise in precision analog and RF electronics positions them well for the critical task of qubit control systems. This diversified approach allows investors to gain exposure to the quantum computing revolution through established semiconductor companies with varying degrees of direct involvement and risk.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT)

• Exposure Type: Enabling Technology
• Company Page: https://www.appliedmaterials.com
• Investor Relations: https://ir.appliedmaterials.com
• Quantum Role: Equipment sales to quantum startups
• Key Advantage: Essential infrastructure provider

ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML)

• Exposure Type: Enabling Technology
• Company Page: https://www.asml.com
• Investor Relations: https://www.asml.com/en/investors
• Quantum Role: Lithography for quantum circuits
• Key Advantage: Monopoly on most advanced chip manufacturing technology

IBM Corporation (NYSE: IBM)

• Exposure Type: Direct Development
• Company Page: https://www.ibm.com
• Investor Relations: https://www.ibm.com/investor
• Quantum Role: Growing cloud quantum computing services
• Key Advantage: Full-stack quantum expertise, silicon-germanium research

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC)

• Exposure Type: Direct Development
• Company Page: https://www.intel.com
• Investor Relations: https://www.intc.com
• Quantum Role: Silicon spin qubits and Horse Ridge control chip
• Key Advantage: Can leverage existing fab infrastructure

Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX)

• Exposure Type: Enabling Technology
• Company Page: https://www.lamresearch.com
• Investor Relations: https://investor.lamresearch.com
• Quantum Role: Precision tools for qubit fabrication
• Key Advantage: Critical for scaling quantum manufacturing

Skyworks Solutions (NASDAQ: SWKS)

• Exposure Type: Potential Beneficiary
• Company Page: https://www.skyworksinc.com
• Investor Relations: https://investors.skyworksinc.com
• Quantum Role: Control electronics for quantum systems
• Key Advantage: Expertise in precision analog/RF crucial for qubit control

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM)

• Exposure Type: Direct Development
• Company Page: https://www.st.com
• Investor Relations: https://investors.st.com
• Quantum Role: Quantum sensors and silicon photonics research
• Key Advantage: Strong position in specialized semiconductors

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM)

• Exposure Type: Potential Beneficiary
• Company Page: https://www.tsmc.com
• Investor Relations: https://investor.tsmc.com
• Quantum Role: Manufacturing partner for quantum startups
• Key Advantage: Most advanced manufacturing processes

Final Thoughts

The quantum computing landscape reveals a technology sector transitioning from scientific curiosity to commercial inevitability. What distinguishes this quantum revolution from previous attempts is its pragmatic foundation: building on proven semiconductor manufacturing techniques rather than requiring entirely new industrial infrastructure. The timeline presented here isn’t speculation—it’s based on technologies already generating revenue, patents being filed, and billions in committed capital. Companies like ID Quantique and Quantum Dice are already selling quantum random number generators, while Element Six and Quantum Brilliance have room-temperature quantum sensors in the market, proving that quantum technology can deliver value today while building toward tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

For investors, the opportunity extends beyond picking winners among quantum startups. The ecosystem includes established semiconductor giants adapting their expertise, equipment manufacturers selling essential tools, and a new generation of companies targeting specific applications from drug discovery to grid optimization. The public market opportunities through companies like IBM, Intel, and ASML offer exposure without the risks of early-stage ventures, while the startup landscape provides higher-risk, higher-reward possibilities for those with appropriate risk tolerance. The diversity of approaches—from silicon photonics to diamond NV centers to silicon-germanium heterostructures—suggests that multiple technologies may succeed in different niches, creating a robust and varied investment landscape.

The geographic distribution of quantum development also tells an important story. While Silicon Valley remains a major hub, significant innovation is emerging from Australia (Silicon Quantum Computing), Europe (Equal1, Quantum Motion), and Asia (TSMC’s potential manufacturing role). This global distribution reduces concentration risk and suggests that quantum computing will be a truly international revolution. Government support from Australia, the EU, and the US further validates the strategic importance of this technology, with public funding complementing private investment to accelerate development.

Perhaps most significantly, the progression from near-term sensing applications to long-term computing platforms demonstrates that quantum technology development is following a logical, commercially-driven path rather than purely academic exploration. Each phase builds on the previous, creating markets, proving value, and establishing the infrastructure for increasingly transformative applications. The focus on solving real problems—from unhackable communications to molecular-level medical imaging to GPS-free navigation—ensures that quantum technology will generate returns even before achieving the ultimate goal of universal quantum computing.

As quantum systems move from securing today’s communications to potentially breaking tomorrow’s encryption, they represent not just a technological shift but a fundamental change in how we process information, discover materials, and solve humanity’s most complex challenges. The quantum age isn’t coming—it’s here, and silicon and diamonds are making it real.

Thanks for reading!