IQM Quantum Computers: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

IQM Quantum Computers is an innovative Finnish company specializing in building superconducting quantum computers. Founded in 2018 as a university spinout, IQM has quickly emerged as a global leader in the quantum computing space, developing full-stack quantum computing systems for on-premises installation and cloud-based access. The company aims to accelerate quantum advantage by focusing on high-fidelity qubits, error correction, and scalability, carving a significant niche for itself amid industry giants like IBM, Google, and Microsoft. As quantum computing technology advances from experimental setups to commercially viable machines, IQM stands out for its strides in hardware fabrication, software platform development, and global market expansion. This article explores ten key facts about IQM Quantum Computers that shed light on its technology, growth, and vision for the future.

1. Origins and Rapid Rise in the Quantum Computing Sector

IQM Quantum Computers was founded in 2018 in Espoo, Finland, as a spinout from academic research. The company quickly positioned itself as a pioneer in superconducting quantum computing, focusing on building robust quantum processing units (QPUs). Its rapid growth, bolstered by strong European research ecosystems and venture funding, allowed IQM to become a leader in delivering commercial-grade quantum computers. By mid-2025, the company had shipped over 30 quantum systems worldwide, including to research institutions and enterprises in Europe, the U.S., and Asia. This quick rise is unusual in the quantum space, signaling IQM's effective strategy of combining technological innovation with practical commercialization.

2. Cutting-Edge Superconducting Quantum Technology

IQM harnesses superconducting qubits, a technology relying on superconducting circuits cooled to near absolute zero to exhibit quantum effects. These qubits offer advantages in scalability and integration with existing semiconductor technologies. IQM develops full-stack quantum computers featuring advanced chip fabrication and high-fidelity qubit operations. Their machines — from 5-qubit models for academic research to 150-qubit systems for large-scale computations — emphasize quality over merely the number of qubits. This attention to qubit quality addresses one of the biggest challenges in the field: maintaining coherence and reducing errors over complex quantum operations.

3. Major Funding Milestone Raises $320 Million in 2025

In September 2025, IQM Quantum Computers closed a Series B funding round led by Ten Eleven Ventures, a U.S.-based cybersecurity-focused investment firm, raising $320 million. This round was the largest quantum-focused funding raise in Europe, bringing IQM’s total capital raised to approximately $600 million and granting it unicorn status. The funding was intended to accelerate IQM’s commercial expansion particularly in the United States and other global markets, enhance their chip fabrication capabilities in Finland, and boost research for error correction and fault-tolerant quantum systems.

4. Strategic Global Expansion Beyond Europe

While IQM’s strongest market has historically been Europe, recent efforts signal ambitious international growth, especially in North America and Asia Pacific regions. The company has sold quantum computers to institutions such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States. IQM is also exploring local assembly facilities in the U.S. to mitigate trade and tariff concerns. This global outreach aligns with IQM’s goal of becoming a worldwide leader in quantum computing hardware and software, aiming to compete with established giants while carving its own niche through specialization in on-premises quantum systems.

5. Integration With High-Performance Computing (HPC) Systems

IQM’s quantum computers are designed to be integrated with classical high-performance computing (HPC) centers, enabling hybrid classical-quantum workflows. This integration is critical to harness the complementary strengths of quantum and classical processors for solving complex problems. IQM has delivered quantum systems to HPC centers and is actively developing software and hardware architectures that enable efficient data transfer and workload optimization between quantum units and classical supercomputers. Their roadmap includes releasing HPC integration guidelines and expanding quantum-classical co-processing capabilities in 2025 and beyond.

6. Focus on Quantum Error Correction and Fidelity

A key technical challenge in quantum computing is error correction—detecting and fixing errors due to noise and decoherence in quantum systems. IQM places significant emphasis on improving gate fidelity and developing fault-tolerant architectures. Their roadmap targets scalable error-corrected quantum computers by 2030, aiming for systems with hundreds of thousands to millions of qubits using advanced error-reduction protocols. Investments from the 2025 funding round notably support this research alongside chip fabrication, underscoring its importance for realizing practical quantum advantage.

7. Diverse Product Portfolio and Customer Base

IQM provides a range of quantum computing solutions tailored for different users, from small 5-qubit systems designed for universities and research labs to larger 54-qubit and 150-qubit machines aimed at industrial and high-performance computing users. Their customers include leading research institutions, HPC centers, universities, and enterprises across continents. IQM also offers a cloud platform for quantum computing, enabling remote access to their hardware, enhancing user accessibility without requiring on-premises infrastructure.

8. Advanced Software and Developer Ecosystem

Recognizing that quantum hardware alone is insufficient, IQM invests heavily in software and developer tools. The company is developing an SDK (software development kit) for quantum computing that promotes a modular and accessible platform for programming quantum algorithms. IQM’s software stack aims to support a growing ecosystem of developers, including specialists from fields beyond quantum physics, facilitating broader adoption and innovative applications of quantum computing.

9. Contribution to Europe’s Quantum Sovereignty and Industrial Strategy

IQM plays an essential role in Europe’s broader quantum technology strategy, which seeks to fortify the continent’s leadership in quantum research and industrialization. Backed by European funding mechanisms, IQM’s technology advances contribute to Europe’s quest for quantum sovereignty, ensuring that critical quantum innovation and manufacturing capabilities remain within the region. IQM’s manufacturing and R&D facilities in Finland bolster this goal, while partnerships with European HPC centers and research institutes foster ecosystem development.

10. Ambitious Vision Toward Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing

IQM’s ultimate objective is to realize fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of solving real-world problems beyond the reach of classical supercomputers. Their timeline projects achieving such systems by around 2030 through modular architectures combining quantum error reduction with robust correction codes. As they scale from noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices to error-corrected machines, IQM’s efforts seek to bridge the current technology gap, enabling quantum breakthroughs in fields such as cryptography, materials science, and artificial intelligence.

Conclusion

IQM Quantum Computers exemplifies the dynamic progress in quantum technology, from its Finnish origins to becoming a global quantum unicorn in 2025. Through innovative superconducting qubit technology, a strong focus on error correction, and strategic funding and expansion, IQM is accelerating the transition of quantum computing from theoretical research to impactful commercial applications. Their integration with HPC systems and developer ecosystem reflects a holistic approach to enabling practical quantum advantage. With ambitious plans toward fault tolerance and global reach, IQM is a pivotal player to watch in the evolving quantum computing landscape. Will IQM’s strategy of combining high-quality hardware with robust software and European industrial strength secure a leading role in the quantum revolution?