Multiverse France adds algorithm expertise to strong quantum sector
Only two years after opening its doors, Multiverse France has a prominent place in the quantum community in Paris. In that short time, the quantum software company has built business, research and scientific partnerships, shown early benefit with quantum algorithms, and contributed to the region’s overall quantum ecosystem.
President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s National Quantum Computing Plan at the start of 2021 and Multiverse Computing opened a Paris office later that year. Paris is a natural choice for setting up a deep-tech startup, offering a blend of academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and business opportunities that align well with Multiverse’s objectives and long-term vision.
Leading the Paris office is Michel Kurek, CEO France Multiverse Computing, who joined the company in January 2022. He previously worked in investment banking at Crédit Agricole and Société Generale for 25 years.
One of the team’s first projects was a collaboration with Credit Agricole CIB to explore use cases for quantum computing in finance. French quantum company Pasqal provided the hardware for that effort, which showed an advantage to the quantum solution that required less compute time and a lower memory requirement.
France in general and Paris in particular provide an excellent opportunity for Multiverse Computing with access to a high-quality talent pool. Michel said that the team in Paris is a cohesive unit.
“While individual contributions are important, the strength of our Paris office truly lies in its collective effort and corporate commitment,” Michel said. “Each team member plays a critical role in our success, and it’s the synergy among us that sets us apart.”
Paris has a strong quantum startup ecosystem as well with Pasqal, Alice & Bob, and Quandela in addition to Quantonation, the first VC fund dedicated to quantum technologies.
The opening of the Maison du Quantique also has benefited the quantum community, serving as an incubation center for quantum startups and aiming to facilitate partnerships between these startups and industrial members of the Lab Quantique, a Paris-based think tank. Multiverse is one of the 10 startups selected to be the inaugural class in the Maison. They will identify relevant business use cases with industry partners that include Boston Consulting Group, EDF Energy, and Thales Cybersecurity.
Forging strong research partnerships
The broader Paris region offers a vibrant ecosystem for innovation as well, especially with its quantum hub in the Saclay Plateau, home to numerous research institutions, startups, and tech companies. Moreover, France’s unique industrial sector offers entry points into potential new industries, allowing Multiverse to expand and diversify in ways that may differ from other countries where the company is already established.
France is showing considerable momentum in the quantum field. Notably, the launch of new project calls under the PEPR 2030 framework, steered by CNRS, CEA, and INRIA, signifies a robust investment in R&D. The France 2030 investment plan aims to develop industrial competitiveness and future technologies and build or consolidate French technological and scientific leadership. It includes a call for proposal focused specifically on quantum computing. France’s goal to take the lead in quantum technologies covers six areas: quantum simulators and accelerators, quantum computing, quantum sensors, post-quantum cryptography, and quantum communications and enabling technologies, as well as supporting workforce development and startups.
The quantum project is one of 25 national acceleration initiatives that include everything from carbon-free hydrogen production, deep sea research, plant breeding, and digital health.
This work supports the larger France Hybrid Quantum Initiative, an effort that includes hybrid quantum processors, the Joliot-Curie supercomputer and an academic and industrial research program.
The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research has approved Multiverse Computing as an organization carrying out R&D activities in the cutting-edge field of quantum computing for private companies. Multiverse Computing is now included in the government’s list of approved private research organizations. Multiverse also has worked with GENCI, France’s high-performance computing center. GENCI supports the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning to benefit academic and industrial partners.
Singularity and digital transformation
Singularity, as Multiverse’s flagship SaaS product, specializes in optimization and machine learning — key applications of quantum that are highly relevant to sectors that are strongly represented in France, such as finance, energy, and retail. With its versatile capabilities, Singularity can be tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities present in these industries. Given the strong French focus on innovation in these sectors, Singularity offers an excellent fit for businesses looking to leverage quantum computing for a competitive edge. The product is well-positioned to become an integral part of the technological landscape in France, aiding companies in their digital transformation journeys.
Building the quantum ecosystem
Multiverse Computing is deeply committed to fostering the growth of the quantum community in France. The company actively supports events organized by professional associations and are eager to contribute to awareness-raising and educational efforts. This includes engagement with both industrial partners and students. Multiverse also contributes to courses in leading engineering schools.
“By participating in these activities, we not only share valuable knowledge and insights but also help to build a stronger, more vibrant quantum computing ecosystem within the country,” Michel said.
