German quantum computing startup Planqc will lead a project to build a 1,000-qubit neutral-atom quantum computer for the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) in Munich.

The project – dubbed the Multicore Atomic Quantum Computing System (MAQCS) – has been funded by a €20 million ($21m) package from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Alongside LRZ, Planqc will work with the Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ) to develop and install a universally programmable quantum computer. In a post on LinkedIn, Planqc said the system would be the first of its kind and will feature a “unique architecture” that “enhances efficiency and speed.”

MAQCS will integrate into LRZ’s Munich Quantum Software Stack (MQSS) and users will be able to access the system through both cloud-based interfaces and direct HPC workflows. In addition to MAQCS, LRZ is already home to a 20-qubit IQM quantum computer and a 20-qubit trapped ions-based system from AQT.

“We are excited to collaborate with the LRZ and the MPQ to spearhead this groundbreaking project, positioning Planqc as a European leader in neutral atom quantum computing. Surpassing 1,000 qubits and integrating this system into a supercomputing ecosystem as a co-processor is a major leap forward, bringing the German quantum ecosystem in line with global advancements,” said Alexander Glätzle, CEO and co-founder of Planqc.

“This milestone brings us closer to developing quantum computers capable of solving complex problems in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, materials science, and cryptography.”

Planqc was founded in 2022 by scientists from MPQ and Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU) and spun out from the Max Planck Institute. It relies on technologies and techniques developed for atomic clocks.

In July 2024, the company secured €50 million ($54m) in equity financing.