Finland's IQM Quantum Computers is positioning itself to become one of Europe's first publicly traded quantum computing companies, targeting an $1.8 billion valuation in a transaction that signals renewed investor confidence in the commercialization of quantum technology. The move comes as the quantum sector faces growing scrutiny over timelines to profitability, making IQM's public debut a critical test of whether markets believe practical quantum computing is finally within reach.
IQM Quantum Computers is making a bold bet that public markets are ready to embrace quantum computing's commercial potential. The Finnish quantum hardware company is moving forward with plans to list at an $1.8 billion valuation, according to CNBC, in what would mark one of Europe's first major quantum computing IPOs.
The timing is striking. Just as the quantum sector grapples with questions about when - or if - the technology will deliver on its decades-old promises, IQM is putting its chips on the table. The company has built its business around superconducting quantum processors, the same underlying architecture that powers systems from IBM and Google, but with a focus on modular, co-design approaches tailored to specific customer needs.
Founded in 2018 as a spinout from Finland's VTT Technical Research Centre and Aalto University, IQM has quietly built one of Europe's most ambitious quantum computing operations. The company has secured contracts with research institutions and government agencies across Europe, positioning itself as a strategic alternative to American and Chinese quantum providers at a time when technological sovereignty has become a priority for EU policymakers.
The $1.8 billion valuation puts IQM in rare company. While quantum computing has attracted billions in venture capital and government funding over the past five years, few companies in the sector have achieved valuations above $1 billion. The figure suggests investors see IQM as more than a research project - they're betting the company can deliver revenue-generating quantum systems in the near term.
