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Innsbruck-based ParityQC is the first company in the world to offer blueprints and an operating system for highly scalable quantum computers (QC) on the market. “We do not build the computers ourselves, but instead provide the manufacturers with the blueprints and the operating system,” says Magdalena Hauser, explaining the business model which allows ParityQC to compete with global players such as Google and IBM. Hauser runs ParityQC together with physicist Wolfgang Lechner. Parity means equality, and the company name indicates that hardware and software are tightly interlinked in the computer architecture. Challenges of quantum computingIn theory, quantum computers (QC) can solve certain complex theoretical problems such as the simulation of molecular systems in chemistry and materials science much faster than traditional computers. In practice, however, building a computer powered by quantum processors poses major challenges for both the hardware (e.g. the processors must be cooled down to absolute zero, i.e. -273.15 °C) and software. Quantum computers need special operating systems to make full use of the quantum bits (qubits) in the processor which are very sensitive to interference, and the algorithms for the applications must also be adapted to the quantum physical characteristics of the computing cores. Whoever succeeds in solving these problems will be rewarded with computing power that leaves today’s supercomputers far behind – as Google’s quantum research team showed with its demonstrator in 2023. The development of quantum computers is still in its infancy and therefore particularly susceptible to disruptive innovations. Innovative system scaling“The core of our innovation is the ParityQC architecture, and this architecture solves problems related to the scalability of quantum computers,” explains founder and co-CEO Wolfgang Lechner. “One problem lies in programming quantum computers, because making them bigger and more powerful also makes them increasingly complex. This is not the case with our architecture, however, as we have very small components that can be used in series. The idea is to move from prototype quantum computers to quantum computers for the mass market, achieved by setting standards through our blueprints.”The pioneering QC architecture company website explains that “The ParityQC Architecture introduces a paradigm shift in the design and creation of quantum computers that are powerful, scalable and flexible. ParityQC’s operating system, ParityOS, provides access to all the advantages of our architecture via the cloud. Our co-development approach to hardware and software results in quantum chips and algorithms that fit together perfectly.” Value creation in EuropeParityQC is a University of Innsbruck and Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) spin-off. The company draws on the expertise of the quantum optimisation research group led by Wolfgang Lechner at the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Innsbruck. “Together with the research group, we are a group of around 60 people working full-time on the parity architecture,” says Magdalena Hauser. The two CEOs are very keen that the company’s value creation remains in Europe. FFG: “Not just funding, also valuable advice”In the four years since its founding, ParityQC has built its business model with the support of the FFG, including funding from the General Programme. “The Austrian funding landscape is really very well developed and the FFG is extremely helpful,” says Magdalena Hauser. Wolfgang Lechner adds: “The FFG is not only a source of funding, but also an advisor, and this is really special. It is very beneficial to have a consultant at your side who really helps you, especially in European projects.”

What do Hipp baby food and Claas combine harvesters have in common? Both brands swear by Celum software from Linz. Celum helps large organisations with their marketing activities, by helping them intelligently manage, optimise and efficiently display extensive collections of advertising material, images and videos. “It’s something we all know about. In our private lives, we’re constantly making videos and taking photos on our mobile phones,” explains Michael Kräftner, founder and CEO of Celum. “Now imagine the volumes of advertising, image and video material generated by a large company, and you’ll understand how it’s increasingly difficult to keep track of all this content, to approve content, and to ensure content is used where it’s needed: on posters, digital advertising spaces, or in online shops. That’s where our software comes in.”The first version of Celum was launched in 2003 and has become a tried-and-tested database for managing large image collections. Celum soon broadened and differentiated its portfolio, and developed software to manage and use large digital assets (DAM = Digital Asset Management). Celum’s product range now includes portal functions and cloud-based solutions for complex content.Why have more than 900 companies and institutions worldwide chosen Celum software products? Reasons include its ease of use, even in teams; seamless integration into existing software infrastructures; extensive automation and workflow functions including AI-based image management; as well as scalability and excellent performance paired with high data security standards. Celum serves customers in the retail and e-commerce sectors (e.g. Bauhaus, Schäfer, Shop Apotheke) including lifestyle and food products such as Mammut, Scott, Ricola, and BrauUnion; in industry (e.g. CLAAS, voestalpine, Mitsubishi Electric); as well as in the service and public sectors, including King’s College in London and Berlin public transport company BVG. Global mass market“Our market has become a global mass market,” says Michael Wirth, Celum CFO. “That means our task is to show where the market is heading. We’ve been working on understanding trends and responding to them for many years, and that makes funding an extremely important topic for us.”Celum uses the FFG General Programme to continue enhancing its solutions. “We are now working with the third round of funding from the General Programme,” says Michael Wirth. “In my role as CFO, it is essential to secure support for projects that we cannot immediately exploit commercially, i.e. where we incur expenses and are creating jobs, but where we can only launch the product to the market in a few years’ time.”Celum now employs almost 150 people at its campus in the south of Linz. Celum founder Michael Kräftner stresses: “I am convinced that we wouldn’t be where we are today if it hadn’t been for the first round of funding from the FFG. We wouldn’t be able to develop this kind of high-end technology here in Austria without the FFG.”