Qolab Quantum

Qolab is a superconducting quantum computing company founded in 2022 and based in Madison, Wisconsin. The company was launched by a distinguished team of quantum computing experts: Alan Ho (CEO), John Martinis (CTO and co-founder), and Robert McDermott (Head of Hardware and co-founder). Martinis is renowned for leading Google's Quantum AI team in achieving quantum supremacy in 2019, bringing decades of experience in superconducting qubit development to the venture.quantum-machines+3​

Mission and Strategy

Qolab's core mission is to develop utility-scale superconducting quantum computers that can solve real-world computational challenges. Rather than building everything in-house like some larger competitors, Qolab adopts a collaborative, modular business model that partners with leading semiconductor companies and quantum experts across the entire technology stack, from chip design to cryogenic hardware to control systems.quantum+2​youtube​

This approach reflects a fundamental belief that effective quantum computing requires system engineering discipline combined with deep physics expertise. The company recognizes that quantum computing development benefits from specialized partners who excel in their respective domains.quantum-machines​

Technology and Innovation

Qolab's technological approach centers on several key innovations:qolab+2​

Advanced Semiconductor Fabrication: The company leverages 300mm semiconductor processes—the latest generation used in the semiconductor industry—to produce superconducting qubits with superior interfaces and higher quality than previous generations.qolab+1​

Proprietary Qubit Design: Qolab develops custom qubit designs tailored to its fabrication processes, resulting in long coherence times (the duration qubits maintain their quantum state) and consistency across wafer production.qolab+1​

Novel Scaling Techniques: The company has developed innovative on-chip scaling methods that significantly reduce the cost of scaling up qubit counts, addressing one of the major bottlenecks in quantum computing.qolab​

Error Reduction: Qolab focuses on improving non-qubit components of quantum systems to reduce noise and crosstalk, which are critical sources of errors in quantum computation.siliconangle+1​

Current Projects and Developments

Qolab's research and development efforts target several critical challenges:qolab​

Next-Generation Superconducting Qubits: Development of qubits with enhanced coherence times and improved error resilience through refined architecture and better materials.

Quantum Error Correction: Advanced error-correction algorithms and fault-tolerant quantum circuits essential for scaling and extended operations.

Scalable Chip Architecture: A modular quantum chip design capable of integrating thousands of qubits into a single platform without sacrificing performance.

Quantum Algorithm Optimization: Continuous work on making quantum algorithms more efficient for applications in cryptography, machine learning, and large-scale simulations.

Funding and Partnerships

Qolab secured over $16 million in Series A funding led by Octave Ventures, with co-investment from the Development Bank of Japan, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, and Phoenix Venture Partners. The company later received additional investment from Applied Ventures, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, marking a strategic collaboration to advance quantum manufacturing.thequantuminsider+2​

The company has established significant partnerships including:HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise) for building quantum supercomputers, NVIDIA for software integration, and Quantum Machines for control systems. Additionally, Qolab was selected as a co-leader in DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, tasked with spearheading hardware development for a consortium building a quantum supercomputer with a 2033 completion target.podcast.newquantumera+1​

Key Accomplishments

In 2025, Qolab demonstrated live, automated calibration of superconducting qubits using Quantum Machines' QUAlibrate platform, showcasing real-time pulse-level control and end-to-end automation capabilities. The company has also co-authored a technical roadmap paper with industry leaders titled "How to Build a Quantum Supercomputer: Scaling from Hundreds to Millions of Qubits," outlining clear strategies for achieving scalable quantum architectures.quantum-machines+1​

Qolab represents a modern approach to quantum computing development—one that emphasizes collaboration, systems engineering, and practical manufacturability alongside fundamental physics innovation, positioning the company at the forefront of near-term quantum computing advancement.

1. https://www.quantum-machines.co/resources/interview/from-the-first-qubit-to-qolab-john-martinis-on-building-scalable-quantum-systems/
2. https://quantum.org.uk/company/qolab/
3. https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/08/09/quantum-computing-luminaries-launch-qolab-to-develop-high-quality-superconducting-qubits/
4. https://qolab.ai
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEpBLHoeZ20
6. https://qolab.ai/technology/
7. https://siliconangle.com/2024/12/31/qolab-raises-16m-advance-development-practical-superconducting-quantum-computing/
8. https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/12/30/qolab-secures-16m-in-series-a-to-advance-scalable-superconducting-quantum-computing/
9. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250317109996/en/Qolab-Secures-Investment-from-Applied-Ventures-and-Announces-Collaboration-to-Advance-Quantum-Computing-Manufacturing
10. https://podcast.newquantumera.com/48
11. https://phoenix-vp.com/qolab-spearheads-hardware-development-for-darpas-quantum-benchmarking-initiative/
12. https://www.quantum-machines.co/resources/interview/qolab-live-quantum-calibration/
13. https://quantumzeitgeist.com/qolab-quantum-computing/
14. https://quantumcomputingreport.com/hpe-qolab-applied-materials-and-others-publish-a-blueprint-for-scaling-superconducting-quantum-computers/
15. https://chicagoquantum.org/news/qolab-first-uw-madison-incubated-quantum-startup-joins-cqe
16. https://www.linkedin.com/company/qolabai