Dutch quantum hardware manufacturer QuantWare unveiled its VIO-40K chiplet architecture at the Q2B Silicon Valley conference on December 9, 2024, promising quantum processors with 10,000 qubits by 2028. The announcement represents a 100-fold increase over current industry capabilities, directly challenging the decade-long stagnation that has limited superconducting quantum processors to approximately 100 qubits.
What Happened
QuantWare’s VIO-40K architecture addresses the fundamental wiring bottleneck that has constrained quantum processor scaling. The technology employs 3D vertical wiring with 40,000 input-output lines distributed across modular chiplets connected through ultra-high-fidelity connections. Unlike conventional 2D planar designs requiring exponentially growing control infrastructure, the chiplet approach stacks components vertically while dramatically increasing qubit density.
Google’s quantum efforts progressed from 53 qubits in 2019 to 105 qubits with its December 2024 Willow chip. IBM recently unveiled its 120-qubit Nighthawk processor, positioned as the leading device size through 2028. Both rely on incremental improvements to monolithic chips rather than modular scaling.
“QuantWare’s VIO finally removes this scaling barrier, paving the way for economically relevant quantum computers,” said Matthijs Rijlaarsdam, CEO and co-founder.
The company announced Kilofab, an industrial-scale fabrication facility opening in 2026 in Delft, Netherlands, increasing production capacity 20-fold.
Why It Matters
The VIO-40K architecture confronts a critical limitation: networking multiple small processors introduces latency and fidelity degradation that undermines computational advantage. Current approaches rely on connecting smaller units through cryogenic interconnects, which introduce decoherence and amplify error rates. QuantWare’s monolithic chiplet design maintains single-chip performance while achieving previously unattainable qubit counts.
Google’s Willow chip demonstrated below-threshold error correction, showing additional qubits can reduce errors when properly implemented. However, practical fault-tolerant quantum computing demands thousands of physical qubits to encode each logical qubit. QuantWare’s approach offers a pathway to the megaQubit-scale systems these requirements necessitate.
The Quantum Open Architecture strategy enables compatibility with third-party control electronics and software. Integration with NVIDIA NVQLink positions VIO-40K for hybrid quantum-classical workflows. This mirrors the semiconductor foundry model, potentially accelerating adoption.
QuantWare raised €23.3 million USD in Series A funding through June 2025. The company already supplies processors to customers in more than 20 countries.
Vertical interconnects eliminate surface routing constraints, allowing VIO-40K to occupy a smaller footprint than current 100-qubit devices while supporting 100 times more qubits. This represents exponentially improved performance per watt and per dollar.
What’s Next
QuantWare began accepting reservations for VIO-40K immediately, with first device shipments scheduled for 2028. The three-year timeline allows iterative refinement based on customer feedback and emerging error correction requirements.
Kilofab’s 2026 opening will signal whether QuantWare can translate architectural innovation into production-scale manufacturing. The facility represents infrastructure investment and commitment to the Quantum Open Architecture ecosystem.
Industry observers should monitor integration demonstrations between VIO-40K and NVIDIA’s NVQLink platform. Validated performance metrics for chiplet fidelity, coherence times, and error rates at scale will determine whether the architecture delivers on its promise.
Key Facts
- Architecture: 40,000 input-output lines with chiplet-based 3D design
- Scale: 10,000 qubits, 100x larger than current industry standard
- Delivery: First devices shipping to customers in 2028
- Manufacturing: Kilofab facility opening 2026 in Delft, Netherlands
- Production Capacity: 20x increase over current capabilities
- Company Founded: 2021 as QuTech spin-out by Matthijs Rijlaarsdam and Alessandro Bruno
- Funding: €23.3 million USD Series A through June 2025
- Current Market: Customers in 20+ countries across four continents
Further Reading
Google announces Willow quantum chip with below-threshold error correction demonstrated on 105-qubit processor in December 2024
IBM unveils Nighthawk and Loon processors advancing 120-qubit architecture and fault-tolerant quantum computing roadmap
QuantWare raises €20 million Series A to develop VIO scaling technology and expand fabrication capabilities
Quantum computing market projections targeting nearly $100 billion USD globally by 2035
Q2B Silicon Valley conference coverage featuring quantum industry roadmaps and commercialization strategies
