Quantum computing holds the promise of transforming industries, from healthcare to energy, but a hidden obstacle stands in the way of its scalability: wiring. Yes, something as seemingly mundane as wiring could be the key to unlocking the future of technology. French deeptech startup Isentroniq is taking on this challenge head-first, developing groundbreaking wiring solutions that address the heat, cost, and space constraints currently stifling quantum computers. But here's where it gets controversial—while tech giants focus on qubits, Isentroniq argues that the real bottleneck lies in the infrastructure supporting them. Could they be right? And this is the part most people miss: without solving the wiring problem, the dream of million-qubit machines may remain just that—a dream.
At the heart of quantum computing are qubits, delicate quantum bits that must be cooled to near absolute zero to function. Controlling these qubits requires a labyrinth of ultra-thin wires housed in cryogenic chambers called dilution refrigerators. Each wire adds heat, consumes space, and increases costs, creating a structural deadlock. Current systems max out at a few hundred qubits before hitting physical limits. Scaling to millions—the threshold for practical quantum computing—would require facilities and investments on an unimaginable scale. The complexity and energy costs make this approach unsustainable.
Isentroniq’s innovation directly tackles this wiring crisis, promising to integrate 1,000 times more qubits within existing cryostats. By slashing heat transfer, physical bulk, and cabling costs, their technology could reduce the price of a million-qubit machine from tens of billions to around €50 million. This isn’t just an incremental improvement—it’s a transformative leap toward making quantum computing commercially viable. But is the industry ready to pivot its focus from qubits to wiring? That’s a question worth debating.
To fuel its mission, Isentroniq has secured €7.5 million in funding, led by Heartcore, with participation from OVNI Capital, Kima Ventures, iXcore, Better Angle, Epsilon VC, Bpifrance, and the French National Research Agency (ANR) under the France 2030 initiative. This capital will enable the Paris-based company to grow its engineering team, refine its proprietary wiring technology, and forge industrial partnerships to deliver a plug-and-play solution for quantum computer builders. Adopting a fabless model, Isentroniq focuses on design while leveraging global partners for production, ensuring industrial-grade quality without heavy capital expenditure.
The founders of Isentroniq bring a unique blend of scientific rigor and commercial acumen. Dr. Paul Magnard, a PhD from ETH Zurich and former lead architect at Alice & Bob, contributes deep expertise in superconducting qubits, with multiple publications in Nature. His co-founder, Théodore Amar, brings a sharp focus on go-to-market strategies and operational scaling from his time at Bain & Company and Hilti. Together, they’re addressing one of quantum computing’s most persistent infrastructure challenges. As giants like Google, IBM, Amazon, and Rigetti race toward million-qubit milestones, Isentroniq’s solution could be the missing piece that makes these ambitions achievable.
Looking ahead, Isentroniq plans to expand its team by 2026, hiring quantum, mechanical, and RF engineers, as well as software specialists. “Today, wiring is the number one bottleneck to scaling superconducting quantum computers,” said Paul Magnard, co-founder and CEO. “Our mission is to turn it into an accelerator. With this funding, we’ll industrialize a wiring technology capable of supporting million-qubit machines, making quantum computing truly useful for science, industry, and society.”
But here’s a thought-provoking question for you: If wiring is the key to scaling quantum computing, why has it been overlooked for so long? Do you think the industry is focusing on the right priorities? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
