Alice & Bob vs. IBM and Google: Who Will Win the Quantum Computing Race?

14 hours ago4 min read

Alice & Bob’s Quantum Leap: The Rise of Cat Qubits and the Future of Computing Quantum computing, often hailed as the next frontier of technological innovation, has long promised exponential computational power that could transform industries from cybersecurity to pharmaceuticals. However, practical quantum computing has remained elusive due to the challenges of qubit stability and error correction. Enter Alice & Bob, a Paris-based startup pioneering a revolutionary approach to quantum computation using cat qubits—a novel error-resistant quantum bit technology inspired by Schrödinger’s cat paradox. The company recently secured a €100 million ($104 million) Series B funding round, propelling it toward its goal of building the world's first useful fault-tolerant quantum computer (FTQC) by 2030. This article provides an in-depth exploration of Alice & Bob’s technology, the broader quantum computing landscape, and the implications of their breakthrough for the future of computing. The Evolution of Quantum Computing: A Historical Perspective To understand the significance of Alice & Bob’s advancements, it is essential to look back at the history of quantum computing. Era Development Milestone Key Players 1980s Concept of quantum computation introduced Richard Feynman, David Deutsch 1994 Shor’s algorithm proves quantum superiority for factorization Peter Shor (AT&T Bell Labs) 1998 First experimental demonstration of quantum computing IBM, Oxford University 2001 IBM and Stanford factorize 15 using a quantum computer IBM 2019 Google claims quantum supremacy with Sycamore processor Google 2022 IBM unveils Eagle (127-qubit) and Osprey (433-qubit) processors IBM 2024 Alice & Bob demonstrates cat qubit error suppression Alice & Bob Quantum computing research has traditionally been dominated by large-scale players such as Google, IBM, and Microsoft, all of whom have made significant investments in superconducting qubits, trapped ions, and other hardware approaches. However, the field is shifting towards fault-tolerant architectures—and Alice & Bob is at the forefront with its innovative cat qubits. Alice & Bob’s Breakthrough: What Are Cat Qubits? The Problem: Qubit Errors and Fault-Tolerance One of the biggest challenges in quantum computing is error correction. Unlike classical computers, where bits (0s and 1s) are stable, qubits are highly susceptible to decoherence, meaning their state can be easily disturbed by environmental noise. There are two primary types of qubit errors: Bit-flip errors (where a qubit switches from 0 to 1 or vice versa) Phase-flip errors (where the phase of the quantum state is altered) Most quantum computing architectures require millions of physical qubits to correct these errors, making large-scale quantum computers impractical. The Solution: Schrödinger’s Cat Qubits Alice & Bob’s cat qubits are designed to inherently suppress bit-flip errors, making them significantly more stable than traditional superconducting qubits. Inspired by Schrödinger’s paradox—where a cat is simultaneously alive and dead—cat qubits exist in a superposition of two opposite states, which naturally cancels out bit-flip errors. “By using cat qubits, we reduce the hardware requirements for quantum error correction by up to 200 times, making scalable fault-tolerant quantum computers feasible much sooner than previously expected.” — Théau Peronnin, CEO of Alice & Bob Comparison: Cat Qubits vs. Traditional Approaches Feature Cat Qubits (Alice & Bob) Superconducting Qubits (IBM/Google) Trapped Ions (IonQ) Error Suppression Built-in bit-flip error correction Requires extensive error correction Requires external correction Hardware Scalability Needs only thousands of qubits Needs millions of qubits Moderate scalability Processing Speed Potentially faster due to fewer errors Slowed by frequent error correction Slower due to ion trapping Commercial Viability More feasible in short term Requires heavy infrastructure Still experimental Series B Funding: A €100 Million Vote of Confidence Alice & Bob’s €100 million ($104 million) Series B funding round is one of the largest investments in European quantum startups. The funding was led by: Investor Type Investment History Future French Champions (FFC) Institutional New investor AVP (AXA Venture Partners) Venture Capital New investor Bpifrance Public Fund Reinvested from Series A European Innovation Council (EIC) Public Fund New investor Elaia Partners Venture Capital Reinvested from Series A Breega Venture Capital Reinvested from Series A Supernova Invest Venture Capital Reinvested from Series A Where Will the Funding Go? Funding Allocation Planned Investment 50% Building a state-of-the-art quantum lab & production facility 30% Advancing error correction technology & logical qubits 20% Expanding workforce & R&D capabilities Quantum Computing Market and Competition Alice & Bob is competing in an industry projected to reach $125 billion by 2035. Several players are making strides in fault-tolerant quantum computing: Company Funding Technology Notable Achievement IBM $6B Superconducting Qubits 1000+ qubit roadmap Google $3B Superconducting Qubits Quantum Supremacy (2019) Microsoft $1B Topological Qubits Partnered with Atom Computing Quantinuum $300M Trapped Ions Most stable logical qubit Alice & Bob €130M Cat Qubits Best error suppression Future Roadmap and Challenges Alice & Bob’s next milestone is the development of an error-corrected logical qubit by 2026. If successful, this will pave the way for a scalable fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2030. Challenges Ahead Hardware Scaling: Increasing the number of cat qubits while maintaining coherence Competition: Larger players like IBM and Google have more resources Commercial Viability: Monetizing quantum computing remains complex Conclusion: The Quantum Revolution Is Coming Alice & Bob’s pioneering work on cat qubits represents one of the most promising advancements in fault-tolerant quantum computing. With strong investor backing and a roadmap toward commercialization, the company could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of computation. For more expert insights on AI, quantum computing, and emerging technologies, follow Dr. Shahid Masood and the 1950.ai team. Stay informed on the latest developments defining the future of technology.

Quantum computing, often hailed as the next frontier of technological innovation, has long promised exponential computational power that could transform industries from cybersecurity to pharmaceuticals. However, practical quantum computing has remained elusive due to the challenges of qubit stability and error correction.

Enter Alice & Bob, a Paris-based startup pioneering a revolutionary approach to quantum computation using cat qubits—a novel error-resistant quantum bit technology inspired by Schrödinger’s cat paradox. The company recently secured a €100 million ($104 million) Series B funding round, propelling it toward its goal of building the world's first useful fault-tolerant quantum computer (FTQC) by 2030.

This article provides an in-depth exploration of Alice & Bob’s technology, the broader quantum computing landscape, and the implications of their breakthrough for the future of computing.

The Evolution of Quantum Computing: A Historical Perspective

To understand the significance of Alice & Bob’s advancements, it is essential to look back at the history of quantum computing.

Era	Development Milestone	Key Players
1980s	Concept of quantum computation introduced	Richard Feynman, David Deutsch
1994	Shor’s algorithm proves quantum superiority for factorization	Peter Shor (AT&T Bell Labs)
1998	First experimental demonstration of quantum computing	IBM, Oxford University
2001	IBM and Stanford factorize 15 using a quantum computer	IBM
2019	Google claims quantum supremacy with Sycamore processor	Google
2022	IBM unveils Eagle (127-qubit) and Osprey (433-qubit) processors	IBM
2024	Alice & Bob demonstrates cat qubit error suppression	Alice & Bob

Quantum computing research has traditionally been dominated by large-scale players such as Google, IBM, and Microsoft, all of whom have made significant investments in superconducting qubits, trapped ions, and other hardware approaches. However, the field is shifting towards fault-tolerant architectures—and Alice & Bob is at the forefront with its innovative cat qubits.

Alice & Bob’s Breakthrough: What Are Cat Qubits?

The Problem: Qubit Errors and Fault-Tolerance

One of the biggest challenges in quantum computing is error correction. Unlike classical computers, where bits (0s and 1s) are stable, qubits are highly susceptible to decoherence, meaning their state can be easily disturbed by environmental noise.

There are two primary types of qubit errors:

Bit-flip errors (where a qubit switches from 0 to 1 or vice versa)
Phase-flip errors (where the phase of the quantum state is altered)

Most quantum computing architectures require millions of physical qubits to correct these errors, making large-scale quantum computers impractical.

The Solution: Schrödinger’s Cat Qubits

Alice & Bob’s cat qubits are designed to inherently suppress bit-flip errors, making them significantly more stable than traditional superconducting qubits. Inspired by Schrödinger’s paradox—where a cat is simultaneously alive and dead—cat qubits exist in a superposition of two opposite states, which naturally cancels out bit-flip errors.

“By using cat qubits, we reduce the hardware requirements for quantum error correction by up to 200 times, making scalable fault-tolerant quantum computers feasible much sooner than previously expected.”— Théau Peronnin, CEO of Alice & Bob

Comparison: Cat Qubits vs. Traditional Approaches

Feature	Cat Qubits (Alice & Bob)	Superconducting Qubits (IBM/Google)	Trapped Ions (IonQ)
Error Suppression	Built-in bit-flip error correction	Requires extensive error correction	Requires external correction
Hardware Scalability	Needs only thousands of qubits	Needs millions of qubits	Moderate scalability
Processing Speed	Potentially faster due to fewer errors	Slowed by frequent error correction	Slower due to ion trapping
Commercial Viability	More feasible in short term	Requires heavy infrastructure	Still experimental

Series B Funding: A €100 Million Vote of Confidence

Alice & Bob’s €100 million ($104 million) Series B funding round is one of the largest investments in European quantum startups. The funding was led by:

Investor	Type	Investment History
Future French Champions (FFC)	Institutional	New investor
AVP (AXA Venture Partners)	Venture Capital	New investor
Bpifrance	Public Fund	Reinvested from Series A
European Innovation Council (EIC)	Public Fund	New investor
Elaia Partners	Venture Capital	Reinvested from Series A
Breega	Venture Capital	Reinvested from Series A
Supernova Invest	Venture Capital	Reinvested from Series A

Where Will the Funding Go?

Funding Allocation	Planned Investment
50%	Building a state-of-the-art quantum lab & production facility
30%	Advancing error correction technology & logical qubits
20%	Expanding workforce & R&D capabilities

Quantum Computing Market and Competition

Alice & Bob is competing in an industry projected to reach $125 billion by 2035. Several players are making strides in fault-tolerant quantum computing:

Company	Funding	Technology	Notable Achievement
IBM	$6B	Superconducting Qubits	1000+ qubit roadmap
Google	$3B	Superconducting Qubits	Quantum Supremacy (2019)
Microsoft	$1B	Topological Qubits	Partnered with Atom Computing
Quantinuum	$300M	Trapped Ions	Most stable logical qubit
Alice & Bob	€130M	Cat Qubits	Best error suppression

Future Roadmap and Challenges

Alice & Bob’s next milestone is the development of an error-corrected logical qubit by 2026. If successful, this will pave the way for a scalable fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2030.

Challenges Ahead

Hardware Scaling: Increasing the number of cat qubits while maintaining coherence
Competition: Larger players like IBM and Google have more resources
Commercial Viability: Monetizing quantum computing remains complex

The Quantum Revolution Is Coming

Alice & Bob’s pioneering work on cat qubits represents one of the most promising advancements in fault-tolerant quantum computing. With strong investor backing and a roadmap toward commercialization, the company could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of computation.

For more expert insights on AI, quantum computing, and emerging technologies, follow Dr. Shahid Masood and the 1950.ai team. Stay informed on the latest developments defining the future of technology.