Quantum chip start-up backed by Arm founder

AN OXFORD University start-up developing ultra-fast quantum microchips with the power to transform computing has secured £30m from backers including Arm founder Herman Hauser.

Oxford Ionics, which designs chips capable of far more complex calculations than conventional computers, was given the money in a round that also included venture capital fund Braavos Investment Advisers.

Mr Hauser founded British chip designer Arm, one of the country’s most successful technology businesses, and his support will be regarded as a coup for the business.

Quantum computing uses the properties of qubits – quantum bits – to tackle problems beyond the capabilities of current silicon chip technology. However, this requires the present generation of quantum computers to be kept extremely cold. Founded in 2019 by academics Chris Ballance and Tom Harty, Oxford Ionics is developing devices that can operate in a normal environment.

Mr Ballance said: “Our chips run at room temperature, we don’t need to run in million-dollar fridges to get them down to a thousandth of a degree above absolute zero.”

The business employs 35 and has a production partnership with chip manufacturer Infineon. A spokesman said that it is seeking commercial partnerships with the cyber security industry.

Quantum computing could make internet encryption protocols easy to unscramble, potentially allowing hackers access to messaging and bank transactions. Governments and industry are in a race to produce quantum-safe encryption to keep information safe.