The EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Programme aims at supporting EIC Pathfinder and Transition projects reaching the market. It was with this goal in mind that the EIC Pathfinder SuperGate joined the Programme in March 2024. The project went through 3 phases: the Tech Demo Day, the Opportunities’ Exploration, and is currently concluding the Venture Support Services.
We had the opportunity to talk with Claudio Puglia, former researcher at the Italian National Research Council and CEO of DSQM, a spin-off of the SuperGate Project. Keep reading to know more about the project and its spinning-off process, and how the Programme supported this journey.
Can you briefly introduce your start-up and its mission?
DSQM is a National Research Council spin-off focused on advancing superconducting electronics to enhance high-performance computing (HPC) systems. Our mission is to boost both classical and quantum computing performance by developing ultra-fast and energy-efficient superconducting technology. This innovation stems from research in the SuperGate and SPECTRUM EU-funded projects, aiming to set new standards in HPC efficiency and speed.
What problem does your technology address and why is it important?
Our technology addresses the growing demand for computational power, essential for emerging fields like AI, cryptocurrency and big data processing. In the near term, we tackle a specific challenge in superconducting quantum computers: control line crowding. Current systems require thousands of cables to operate quantum processing units, which is both costly and inefficient. With our Quantum Superconducting Switch (QUEST), we aim to reduce the number of cables needed and the associated building costs by approximately 90%, making quantum computing more scalable and affordable.
What impact do you expect your product/solution to have on your target market or industry?
We anticipate a substantial impact on our target market, starting with a significant cost reduction in quantum computing applications in the short term. In the longer term, we expect our technology to drive a 100x increase in clock frequency for classical electronics, paving the way for fully superconducting digital CPUs. This evolution promises to set new benchmarks for both affordability and performance in computing.
What specific challenges did you face during the development of your product, and how did the Programme help you overcome them?
During development, we faced multiple technical challenges, particularly in selecting optimal materials and refining design geometry. The Advisory Board was instrumental in guiding us through these issues within the research framework. Additionally, as scientists with limited business experience, we found the EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Programme invaluable for developing the necessary legal and market frameworks, equipping us with critical insights into commercialisation and market readiness.
Can you share some concrete actions or milestones achieved during your participation in the Programme?
One of our key milestones during the programme has been the development of foundational documents for our startup, specifically the shareholder agreement and IP licensing agreement. These agreements are essential for structuring our business and protecting our innovations, making them some of our most valuable achievements to date.
How has the collaboration with the Venture Building team and mentors influenced your business strategy?
The collaboration with the Venture Building team and mentors has been immensely valuable in shaping our business strategy. Their guidance helped us identify critical areas needing improvement, and we’re now focused on strengthening our business model based on their insights. This partnership has been instrumental in aligning our strategy with industry best practices and improving our overall approach.
What resources or support from the Programme were most valuable to your start-up?
The most valuable resources provided by the Programme have been IP and legal affairs support, along with market intelligence. These have been crucial in establishing a strong foundation for our start-up, ensuring our innovations are well-protected and our market approach is informed by solid data and insights.
What are your future plans for the solution and your start-up?
Our plan is to complete the first product development by the end of this year, followed by pilot testing in early 2025. We aim to officially launch the product by the end of next year, marking a significant step forward for our startup and bringing our solution to the market.
If you had to summarise your experience in the EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Programme in 3 words, what would they be?
Insightful, transformative, empowering.
Check the summary of the interview in video, here!
About the EIC Tech to Market (T2M) Venture Building Programme
The EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Programme aims to help build start-ups to exploit promising research results through venture building services, comprising a range of activities from identification of promising business ideas to venture creation and development.
Need help?
For additional information, please refer to our helpdesk by choosing “EIC T2M Venture Building Programme” as the subject.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.