QpiAI launches Bengaluru quantum foundry, targets 10,000 qubit processors

Quantum computing, which employs the principles of quantum mechanics to process information, is seen as a frontier technology with potential applications in cryptography, drug discovery, logistics, and artificial intelligence. However, building reliable quantum processors at scale remains a major engineering challenge. In a significant step for India’s deep-tech ecosystem, Bengaluru-based QpiAI on Monday opened a quantum foundry dedicated to manufacturing quantum processors and associated components.

The 8-inch foundry has completed its Phase 2, allowing QpiAI to manufacture flip-chip-based superconducting qubits with up to 128 qubits. The company said the facility also provides the capability to manufacture peripheral chips and sensors used in quantum computers. With Phase 3 slated for completion next year, QpiAI aims to scale its capability to fabricate up to 10,000 physical qubits on a single quantum processing unit (QPU).

A QPU is the core component of a quantum computer, analogous to a classical computer’s processor. QpiAI has already fabricated four QPUs — the 8-qubit Qvidya, 25-qubit Indus, 64-qubit Kaveri, and 9-qubit Yukti. While the first three use transmon-based qubits, Yukti is based on QpiAI’s variation of fluxonium qubits. The company says Yukti has shown exceptional promise in error-corrected logical qubits, which are essential for building fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Inaugurating the foundry, Karnataka’s Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge said the establishment of advanced quantum manufacturing capabilities in Bengaluru was an important step in strengthening the state’s deep-tech ecosystem. “The next step is to translate these capabilities into real-world applications. The IT department will work with QpiAI, other corporates, and specialised technology companies to explore opportunities for implementation and build stronger industry-led pathways for quantum technology,” he said.

Kharge toured the facility and was briefed on QpiAI’s quantum processor manufacturing capabilities, research and development infrastructure, and technology roadmap.

QpiAI founder and CEO Nagendra Nagaraja said manufacturing facilities for QPUs were essential for advancing quantum computing. He outlined a roadmap for Quantum Supremacy Centres (QSCs), which will host error-corrected QPUs along with clusters of AI processors to form highly effective and efficient hybrid quantum-AI data centres.

“To enable this larger ambition and reach 10,000 physical qubits, and eventually, when multiple QPUs are connected in clusters, form 10,000 logical qubits, the quantum foundry is crucial,” Nagaraja said. He added that QpiAI’s quantum compute facility is hosted in a 70,000-sq.-ft. R&D centre comprising the foundry, QPU testing facility, and quantum solution development.

The first QpiAI QSC is coming up on 10 acres of land with 3,00,000 sq. ft. of built-up space, Nagaraja said, and four more QSCs are planned outside India. “QSCs are ‘Quantum AI factories’ which will churn out quantum solutions based on quantum advantage,” he said.

The quantum foundry, according to QpiAI, will enable its QSCs to achieve the objective of attaining quantum commercialisation. This development aligns with India’s broader National Quantum Mission, which aims to build intermediate-scale quantum computers and supporting infrastructure in the coming years.