SuperQ and Fraunhofer Partner on Hybrid Quantum
Quantum computing firm SuperQ has partnered with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics (ITWM). The collaboration aims to advance hybrid quantum computing applications. The partnership is expected to accelerate the development of cloud-accessible quantum services for financial optimization and cryptography.
- The partnership is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on the joint technical evaluation and research of quantum and hybrid optimization. As part of the agreement, Fraunhofer ITWM will conduct a structured technical assessment of SuperQ's platform to identify its capabilities and limitations in specific application scenarios. - SuperQ's differentiated strategy centers on a hybrid "Super™" platform that integrates gate-based quantum computing, quantum annealing, and classical high-performance computing (HPC) into a single workflow. The company, formerly known as Atco Mining Inc., aims to provide a "one-click" solution for complex optimization problems. - Fraunhofer ITWM, one of the largest mathematical research institutes globally, will evaluate the Super™ platform's performance, scalability, and potential for integration into its own HPC infrastructure for industrial-scale simulation. The institute has a dedicated Competence Center for Quantum Computing and has been a member of the Fraunhofer Competence Network Quantum Computing since 2019. - A key goal of the collaboration is to jointly pursue non-dilutive capital by participating in European and international publicly funded research programs. The identified application areas for joint development include logistics, energy, manufacturing, and finance. - For SuperQ, this collaboration represents a strategic entry into the European market, providing access to Germany's "Mittelstand" industrial base and Fortune 500 companies. The partnership is viewed as a validation of its technology and a de-risking of its commercial roadmap. - Fraunhofer's interest in quantum computing extends to quantitative finance, where it has explored using stochastic partial differential equations for asset pricing. The broader Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is deeply involved in Germany's quantum ecosystem, including a partnership with IBM to operate Europe's first commercial quantum computer. - The collaboration aims to address the threat to current cryptography standards, like RSA and ECC, posed by quantum algorithms such as Shor's. By developing hybrid systems, the partnership aligns with the financial industry's move toward post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) to secure transactions and data. - In October 2025, SuperQ closed a brokered financing round, raising $3.45 million to be used for quantum hardware development, R&D, and general working capital. The company's CEO is Dr. Muhammad Khan, and Dr. Pascal Halffmann serves as the Research Coordinator for Quantum Computing at Fraunhofer ITWM.
