US quantum computing firm Rigetti Computing has announced it intends to invest up to $100 million in the UK to accelerate quantum computing development in the country.

The California-based company will use the investment to deploy a quantum computer with over 1,000 qubits in the next three to four years.

The investment is Rigetti’s first major investment outside the US.

Rigetti is already active in the UK and deployed a 36-qubit quantum computer at the National Quantum Computing Centre. The system is part of a consortium focused on advancing quantum error correction capabilities on superconducting quantum computers.

As well as producing quantum computers, Rigetti also provides cloud infrastructure for quantum computing to enable enterprises, governments and research institutions to pursue research projects.

Rigetti said its current quantum computing systems achieve gate speeds of 50-70ns, which is about 1,000 times faster than other modalities such as ion traps and neutral atoms.

“Our presence in the UK has been marked by fruitful collaboration across industry, government, and academia,” said Rigetti chief executive Dr. Subodh Kulkarni. “The UK government’s unwavering dedication to advancing quantum computing technology is evident across the UK’s entire quantum ecosystem.

“The focus on driving end-user engagement and developing on-premises capabilities for meaningful research and development makes the UK an exemplary leader in this revolutionary field."

Rigetti’s investment follows an announcement by the UK government that it will earmark around £2 billion for the aim of establishing the UK as a global leader in quantum computing.

In November last year, the British government promised over £14 million for a range of quantum-based projects aimed at developing “next-generation” sensors for the healthcare, transport and defence sectors.

These projects include a new type of portable eye scanner that could replace the large and expensive version currently used in hospitals, as well as a new type of sensor that would let civil engineers detect buried structures without the need for excavation works.

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