About Us
Welcome to Qolab
Qolab is a VC-backed startup focused on developing utility-scale superconducting quantum computers. Our strategy is to partner with the best in the world in specific domain areas—state-of-the-art device fabrication, high-speed control electronics, and high-performance computing—to engineer robust systems compatible with near-term beyond classical applications and ultimately with full fault tolerance.
Our Mission
At Qolab, our mission is to spearhead collaboration across the semiconductor ecosystem to develop utility-scale superconducting quantum computers that will transform industries and enhance our understanding of the universe’s deepest mysteries.
- State-of-the-art device fabrication.
- Quantum collaborations across the semiconductor value chain
- High coherence, low crosstalk quantum chips
Our Story
- Qolab was founded in 2022 with a bold thesis: that the semiconductor industry holds the key to creating a practical quantum computer by enabling the large-scale fabrication of high-quality qubits. The journey began long before Qolab’s official inception, with co-founders John, Robert, and Alan collaborating across pioneering roles at Google and NIST. By 2022, Qolab was actively seeking global semiconductor partners to co-develop a groundbreaking fabrication process for superconducting qubits, pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
- In 2023, early experiments brought promising results. Using advanced 300mm fabrication tools, Qolab demonstrated that high-quality qubits could indeed be produced at scale. This breakthrough led Applied Materials to retrofit its facilities specifically for qubit fabrication in partnership with Qolab. Building on this momentum, 2024 marked a significant milestone as Qolab secured its first venture capital funding and published a landmark paper titled “How to Build a Quantum Supercomputer” with a consortium of its semiconductor partners.
Culture and Approach
Hardware Engineering Mindset
We believe that many of the core challenges in creating a functionally useful quantum computer lie in the hardware. Our leadership is grounded in experimentalists and engineering and we recognize that physical qubits are significantly more intricate than logical qubits, demanding a deep expertise in quantum mechanics, practical and industrial applications of material sciences, and complex systems engineering.
Semiconductor Partnerships
At Qolab, our deep integration with the semiconductor industry is central to our mission of building utility-scale quantum computers. By collaborating with top-tier semiconductor partners, we leverage cutting-edge fabrication technologies to develop high-performance qubits that push the boundaries of quantum computing. Our partnerships are specifically tailored to enhance qubit quality, reduce crosstalk, and improve coherence times, ensuring that our quantum systems are built with the precision and scalability needed for real-world applications. These collaborations allow us to tap into the latest advancements in materials engineering, 300mm wafer fabrication, and industrial-scale processes, positioning Qolab at the forefront of quantum and semiconductor innovation.
Metrology, Not Mythology
At Qolab, we prioritize precision and proven results over hype and speculation. Rather than chasing quick, headline-grabbing breakthroughs, we focus on making incremental, measurable advancements grounded in science. Our design and development process is built on rigorous testing and validation, ensuring that we understand the science behind our designs. By committing to data-driven progress and avoiding the pitfalls of untested assumptions, we aim to build quantum systems that are not only innovative but also practical, scalable, and aligned with the laws of physics.
Guided by Physics
At Qolab, our culture is fundamentally guided by a deep understanding of physics. Our approach prioritizes building systems with low errors and high reliability by understanding the physics which governs our qubits and components’ operations.
Leadership Team
Alan Ho
CEO (Co Founder)
Alan Ho brings extensive experience from his role as the former Head of Product at Google Quantum AI. At Google, he led the business and product development efforts, contributing to significant advancements in the field of quantum computing. Alan played an integral role in the team that achieved the milestone of quantum supremacy, demonstrating a quantum computer’s capability to outperform classical supercomputers in specific tasks. Before founding Qolab, Alan was a Director of Product at Apigee and held senior roles at other tech companies, enhancing his expertise in product management and development.
John Martinis
CTO (Co Founder)
John Martinis is a distinguished physicist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to quantum computing. With a focus on superconducting qubits, Martinis has been at the forefront of developing high-fidelity qubits essential for scalable quantum processors. Prior to founding Qolab, Martinis was a key figure behind Google’s quantum supremacy experiment, he led the hardware team that demonstrated a quantum computer outperforming the world’s best classical supercomputers. His pioneering work in quantum error correction and scalable quantum processors has significantly advanced the field. Martinis continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of quantum engineers and scientists, driving forward the practical implementation of quantum computing.
John Martinis
CTO (Co Founder)
Robert McDermott
Head of Hardware (Co Founder)
Robert McDermott is a leading physicist specializing in superconducting qubits and their application in quantum computing. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from UC-Berkeley, where he developed novel superconducting detectors for magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. He is currently a professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he works to develop new tools for scalable quantum information processing. McDermott’s contributions to quantum measurement, quantum control, and quantum device fabrication have led to significant improvements in qubit performance.
Britton Plourde
Quantum Hardware Engineer
Britton Plourde is a renowned physicist whose contributions to quantum computing focus on superconducting qubits and quantum circuits. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he conducted pioneering research in low-temperature physics and superconductivity. Prior to joining Qolab, Britton was a professor of physics at Syracuse University, where he made significant strides in enhancing qubit coherence times and reducing noise in quantum systems, key challenges in creating reliable quantum computers. Plourde has developed advanced readout and control techniques for qubits and designed efficient quantum circuits and was named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in 2023 for his contributions in the development of practical quantum computing systems
Alan Ho
CEO (Co Founder)
Alan Ho brings extensive experience from his role as the former Head of Product at Google Quantum AI. At Google, he led the business and product development efforts, contributing to significant advancements in the field of quantum computing. Alan played an integral role in the team that achieved the milestone of quantum supremacy, demonstrating a quantum computer’s capability to outperform classical supercomputers in specific tasks. Before founding Qolab, Alan was a Director of Product at Apigee and held senior roles at other tech companies, enhancing his expertise in product management and development.
John Martinis
CTO (Co Founder)
John Martinis is a distinguished physicist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to quantum computing. With a focus on superconducting qubits, Martinis has been at the forefront of developing high-fidelity qubits essential for scalable quantum processors. Prior to founding Qolab, Martinis was a key figure behind Google’s quantum supremacy experiment, he led the hardware team that demonstrated a quantum computer outperforming the world’s best classical supercomputers. His pioneering work in quantum error correction and scalable quantum processors has significantly advanced the field. Martinis continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of quantum engineers and scientists, driving forward the practical implementation of quantum computing.
John Martinis
CTO (Co Founder)
Robert McDermott
Head of Hardware (Co Founder)
Robert McDermott is a leading physicist specializing in superconducting qubits and their application in quantum computing. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from UC-Berkeley, where he developed novel superconducting detectors for magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. He is currently a professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he works to develop new tools for scalable quantum information processing. McDermott’s contributions to quantum measurement, quantum control, and quantum device fabrication have led to significant improvements in qubit performance.
Britton Plourde
Quantum Hardware Engineer
Britton Plourde is a renowned physicist whose contributions to quantum computing focus on superconducting qubits and quantum circuits. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he conducted pioneering research in low-temperature physics and superconductivity. Prior to joining Qolab, Britton was a professor of physics at Syracuse University, where he made significant strides in enhancing qubit coherence times and reducing noise in quantum systems, key challenges in creating reliable quantum computers. Plourde has developed advanced readout and control techniques for qubits and designed efficient quantum circuits and was named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in 2023 for his contributions in the development of practical quantum computing systems
Our Investors
Founded by Michael S. Kim in 2018, Octave Ventures is a global venture capital investor with a particular focus in deep tech and biotech investments.
The Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) is a leading financial institution that plays a pivotal role in advancing Japan’s economic and technological landscape.
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is dedicated to transforming pioneering research from the University of Wisconsin–Madison into real-world applications.
Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP) is a venture capital firm dedicated to transforming cutting-edge technologies into market-ready innovations.
Get in Touch with Qolab
At Qolab, we value open communication and are eager to connect with you. Whether you’re interested in learning more about our technology, exploring partnership opportunities, or joining our team, we’re here to help. Reach out to us through the contact form below, or use our contact information to get in touch directly. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring how we can collaborate to advance quantum computing.