How This Startup Aims to Prepare Enterprises for Quantum Computing Before It Arrives

Eighteen months after selling his startup to chipmaker AMD for $665 million, Finnish entrepreneur Peter Sarlin has left his role as CEO of the unit now known as AMD Silo AI. He is now chairman at two new ventures: physical AI lab NestAI, and QuTwo, an AI startup aimed at helping companies prepare for the era of quantum computing.

In an exciting transition, Finnish entrepreneur Peter Sarlin has stepped down as CEO of AMD Silo AI, the division formed after his startup was sold to chipmaker AMD. Now, Sarlin is channeling his expertise into two innovative ventures: NestAI, a physical AI lab, and QuTwo, a pioneering AI startup focusing on bridging the gap between classical and quantum computing.

Funded entirely by Sarlin’s family office, PostScriptum, QuTwo refers to itself as “an AI lab for the quantum era.” The company aims to not only anticipate the future of quantum computing but also actively collaborate with enterprise customers today. For example, it has partnered with European fashion giant Zalando to develop “lifestyle agents” — advanced AI tools designed to go beyond mere product search capabilities and proactively recommend products and experiences tailored to individual customer needs.

QuTwo is founded on the understanding that traditional AI is encountering efficiency challenges, which quantum computing has the potential to overcome. However, instead of waiting for the breakthrough of quantum technology, Sarlin believes in leveraging a hybrid approach. QuTwo OS serves as an orchestration layer that enables businesses to transition smoothly from classical to quantum computing, incorporating hybrid computing strategies along the way.

With Sarlin’s personal investments in Finnish quantum firms like IQM and QMill, he stands among a growing number of investors convinced that quantum computing will surpass classical computers in various applications. Moreover, Sarlin recognizes that initial implementations will likely need to operate within mixed hardware environments. This approach allows enterprises to focus on solving their core business challenges while QuTwo OS efficiently manages the computational routing.

One of QuTwo’s significant advantages lies in its “quantum-inspired” computing strategy. This method is already viable today as it utilizes classical hardware to simulate quantum behaviors, sidestepping the current limitations of true quantum hardware. QuTwo OS is designed to be flexible, offering support for both quantum and non-quantum algorithms, making it adaptable to various technological landscapes.

The QuTwo team is a blend of talent from both the quantum and AI sectors. It includes Kuan Yen Tan, co-founder of IQM, and board member Antti Vasara, who also chairs SemiQon, a Finnish startup focused on quantum chips. On the entrepreneurial side, Sarlin is joined by Kaj-Mikael Björk, a former co-founder at Silo AI, and Pekka Lundmark, the ex-CEO of Nokia, who has also joined QuTwo’s board.

Assembling a robust team of over 30 scientists specializing in both quantum technologies and AI, QuTwo is committed to establishing itself as a leading player in the upcoming quantum era. Sarlin emphasizes that while they are building for the quantum future, QuTwo functions primarily as an AI company, focused on transitioning AI workloads from traditional systems to quantum frameworks.

In pursuit of a diverse customer base, QuTwo isn’t stopping at Zalando. The startup has also initiated a joint quantum AI research initiative with OP Pohjola, one of Finland’s leading financial services providers. This commitment to collaboration reflects QuTwo’s aim to develop solutions that are both innovative and practically applicable across different industries.

From the start, QuTwo has adopted a commercially driven approach, securing “large design partnerships worth tens of millions.” These partnerships allow QuTwo to co-develop products with enterprise customers, gaining valuable insights into client expectations as they refine their offerings. This strategy also positions enterprises to gain an early competitive advantage in a future where quantum computing becomes mainstream.