With each of our innovator stories, we get a chance to meet the people behind EU-funded ideas, which have the potential to change our future for the better.
In this edition, we share the insightful perspective of Marta Estarellas, the CEO of Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech. The Spanish startup is a full-stack quantum computing company that provides Quantum Application Specific Solutions (QASICs) to bring quantum benefits now.
Qilimanjaro made an impactful presentation at the 10th Innovation Radar Prize 2024, winning the NextGen Tech Category award. They achieved over €2,5M in EU funding.
“We are now building the first in the world hybrid quantum data centre to provide Quantum as a Service (QaaS), enabling users to program and run quantum algorithms online on our evolving quantum platforms.”
Tell us more about yourself and your work?
I am Marta Estarellas, CEO of Qilimanjaro. Although I am now immersed in the quantum industry, my journey began in academia as a researcher in chemistry, where I focused on leveraging computational modeling to design new drugs as a critical first step in the development pipeline. During that time, I encountered a significant computational limitation: molecules are quantum systems, and the logic of conventional computers was insufficient to capture their complexity in an efficient manner. I soon realised this limitation extended beyond chemistry to many other critical, complex problems.
This realisation sparked my interest in alternative approaches, leading me to discover quantum computing — a moment that completely transformed my career path. I decided to pursue a PhD in Quantum Physics to deepen my expertise in the field and complement it with a degree in Computer Engineering to better understand how computers function. I then moved to work as a researcher with a focus in bringing quantum computers closer to reality.
Now, as CEO of Qilimanjaro, I am dedicated to translating the vision I cultivated during my academic and research journey into groundbreaking advancements in the quantum industry. Together with our exceptional team of quantum engineers, we are pushing the boundaries of what quantum technology can achieve.
What problem is your product solving and what makes its solution unique?
Computing has transformed society, with AI driving unprecedented demand for powerful systems. While progress has relied on miniaturising computer chips to improve its power, shrinking chip scales face quantum effects that disrupt traditional architectures. Quantum computing, inspired by nature’s principles like superposition and entanglement, offers a potential breakthrough to overcome these limits. However, digital quantum computing faces challenges such as the presence of errors in quantum circuits and the need for fault-tolerant processors requiring millions of qubits, which remain decades away. QQT proposes an alternative with analog QASICs, leveraging superconducting qubits and co-design strategies to deliver faster, energy-efficient solutions tailored to specific applications in simulation, AI, and optimisation, bypassing the need for error correction and advancing practical quantum computing benefits.
How did you start your journey, and where are you now on the road to achieving your ambition?
Qilimanjaro was founded in late 2019 in Barcelona. Today, we are one of the few full-stack quantum computing companies in Europe and the only one worldwide pursuing our unique offering: developing analog superconducting quantum chips based on highly coherent qubits and using a co-design strategy to create application-specific solutions. We are now building the first in the world hybrid quantum data centre to provide Quantum as a Service (QaaS), enabling users to program and run quantum algorithms online on our evolving quantum platforms.
What’s the biggest impact EU-funding has had on your journey so far, and can you specify an outcome? (Please mention how much EU-funding you have received so far).
EU funding has been instrumental in advancing our product development under optimal conditions. It has particularly supported the design of our chips, enabling scalable platforms for Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) and quantum computers deployed on client premises. From the outset, Qilimanjaro participated in the FET Open – H2020 project Avaqus, which introduced the foundational technology that later shaped our chip roadmap.
In 2023, we were honoured to be named a beneficiary of the EIC Transition project RoCCQet, a milestone initiative that has been critical to achieving our objectives. Additionally, our involvement in the Qu-Pilot project has allowed us to refine fabrication processes for more scalable architectures.
Beyond the financial support exceeding €2.5 million, EU funding has also served as a valuable acknowledgment of our innovation and commitment.
Have you already tested your product with clients? What was it like?
We have successfully tested our product with clients through algorithm co-design consulting services and by deploying quantum computers in research centres, such as TII in Abu Dhabi and the BSC in Spain. It is immensely gratifying to witness how quantum technology enhances processes, optimises resource utilisation, and accelerates innovation for businesses. Looking ahead, we are thrilled about the upcoming commercialisation of our Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS), which will further democratise access to quantum computing and showcase the power of our unique platforms.
What is your Qilimanjaro’s greatest achievement to date?
We brought Spain’s first quantum computer to the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, a major milestone for democratising quantum computing and empowering companies and innovation teams to understand and leverage quantum solutions for their day-to-day operations here in Europe.
How do you see Qilimanjaro making a difference in the future?
Even though quantum computing is still in its early stages, it is advancing rapidly. Predicting how it will evolve is challenging, but we believe that in the future, quantum technologies will have transformed significantly and will start having a big and increasing revolutionary impact on the world. As a company, we see ourselves contributing to the future of quantum computing by providing practical solutions that address real-world challenges in areas like AI, optimisation, and scientific research.
Why is participating in the Innovation Radar Prize important to you?
Participating in the Innovation Radar Prize is important to us because it highlights our progress and innovation on a global stage. It connects us with industry leaders, potential partners, and investors, offering valuable opportunities to showcase our unique approach to quantum computing.
What did it mean to you to be a winner of the Innovation Radar Prize?
Winning the Innovation Radar Prize has been very valuable for us. It provided visibility and opened doors to connect with investors eager to support Qilimanjaro’s mission toward achieving quantum advantage.
How would you define success and what keeps you going in the pursuit of it?
Success, for us, means delivering genuine value through tailored quantum solutions that address real-world challenges while maintaining the highest standards of scientific rigor—a cornerstone of our values. We expect this commitment to position Qilimanjaro as a leader in the quantum computing field. What drives us forward is the thrill of contributing to the development of groundbreaking technologies within the rapidly evolving quantum industry and doing it from Europe.
Article published by EurA AG.
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