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Side-by-side portraits of two people. The person on the left is standing in front of laboratory equipment, while the person on the right is standing in front of a backdrop featuring the European Union flag.
The NEQC project: Prof. Mikko Möttönen (left) and Jan Goetz (right) © Mikko Möttönen, 2026 © Jan Goetz, 2026 © Merlin Lightpainting (via Pexels)

ProjectNEQC

Turning quantum ‘noise’ into a €500 million business

Noise-Enhanced Quantum Control (NEQC)

"Evermore better control of noise is one of the greatest challenges in improving quantum computers and that is why we have put so much effort into it." - Prof. Mikko Möttönen

Project impact

How can we lower the cost of quantum computers, and open the technology to new industries? To answer this question, one researcher duo turned quantum noise – unwanted disturbances often caused by light – to their advantage. As part of the NEQC project, Dr. Jan Goetz and supervisor Prof. Mikko Möttönen integrated specialised devices into the fundamental building blocks of quantum computing that could actively harness quantum noise. In the process, they lowered the costs of quantum computing, overcoming some of the limitations of the technology and opening it to new uses in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and financial services. ​​​After the project ended, the researchers from NEQC continued their work and founded a spin-out company called IQM Finland Oy. The company is quickly becoming a European leader in providing quantum computing hardware. Since its launch, it has attracted more than €500 million in funding and has more than 300 employees working to bring the technology to market.

  • Coordinator

    Finland

    Aalto Korkeakoulusaatio Sr

  • Participating and partners countries

      • Project duration

        1 April 2018 - 5 March 2020

      • Funding scheme

        MSCA Individual Fellowship

      • Net EU contribution

        € 179 325,60

      • Strategic topic

        Quantum