"An exceptionally strong innovation ecosystem"

Quantum computing is arguably one of the most powerful technologies of the future. Theoretically, it has the potential to revolutionize the entire industry. However, its full potential has not yet been tapped, and there are still some major challenges that need to be overcome in order to put quantum computing into practice. ARQUE Systems GmbH, a spin-off of Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University, is working together with researchers from both institutions on a quantum chip that represents a decisive breakthrough for the application of quantum computers. Markus Beckers is one of the founders of ARQUE Systems GmbH. In the interview, he explains what it takes for such a deep-tech startup.

Photo: Markus Beckers

What does a deep-tech start-up need to succeed in the market - besides the technological idea?

From my perspective, a deep-tech start-up needs significantly more than an outstanding technological idea to successfully assert itself in the market. Above all, a clear understanding of the market and concrete customer benefits is crucial - technological excellence must be translated into real added value. Equally central is a strong, interdisciplinary team that combines scientific depth with entrepreneurial experience and consistently transforms research into marketable products. Another essential success factor is reliable partners and strong networks from research, industry, and finance.

Particularly valuable for us here are the close ties to Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen as well as the support from Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (MKW) and Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (MWIKE). This is complemented by excellent networks such as EIN Quantum NRW, which significantly promote exchange, visibility, and access to relevant stakeholders. Beyond this, sufficient, long-term-oriented financing is needed, as well as the ability to meet regulatory requirements and think about scalability early on. The Rhenish mining area is increasingly developing into an important innovation and transformation space for future technologies and offers deep-tech start-ups excellent framework conditions to successfully transform research into economic value creation. North Rhine-Westphalia overall offers an exceptionally strong innovation ecosystem, of which we as a spin-off are very proud and which decisively supports our development.

What are the biggest hurdles?

From my perspective, the biggest hurdles for a deep-tech start-up like ARQUE Systems, which is developing a patented, semiconductor-based full-stack quantum computer, lie in the high technological complexity and the long development cycles. The path from excellent research to a stable, scalable, and marketable quantum computer system requires considerable financial resources, specialized expertise, and a lot of perseverance. Added to this is the challenge of attracting and retaining highly qualified experts in the long term, as well as building trust in the market for a technology that is still young and requires explanation. Regulatory requirements and high quality standards also tie up resources early on. The fact that we can address these challenges from North Rhine-Westphalia - as a spin-off of Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen - is a decisive locational advantage and a great strength for us.

How do you address these at ARQUE Systems?

We address these challenges at ARQUE Systems with a clear, integrated approach. Through the development of a patented, semiconductor-based full-stack quantum computer, we think about hardware, software, and system architecture together from the beginning and with a view to scalability, stability, and industrial applicability. This allows us to reduce technological risks early on. At the same time, we rely on an interdisciplinary team as well as close collaborations with research and industry. As a spin-off of Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen, we benefit from excellent infrastructure and a strong scientific environment. Supported by MKW, MWIKE, and networks such as EIN Quantum NRW, we address financing, regulation, and market access questions in a targeted and long-term manner. Through the early involvement of partners and users, we also create trust in the market and consistently align our technology with real needs.

What would an ideal ecosystem for deep-tech start-ups look like?

From my perspective, an ideal ecosystem for deep-tech start-ups is characterized by close and trusting interaction between cutting-edge research, industry, financing, and politics. At the center are excellent scientific institutions that actively promote spin-offs and enable the transfer of research into marketable technologies - just as we know from our own experience as a spin-off from Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen. This is complemented by long-term-oriented financing instruments that take into account the special development cycles of deep tech, as well as innovation-friendly regulatory framework conditions.

Equally crucial are strong networks and clusters that enable exchange, visibility, and partnerships - such as the EIN Quantum NRW cluster in the field of quantum technologies. Such an ecosystem also thrives on qualified professionals, shared infrastructure, and a culture of trust and collaboration. Particularly noteworthy is the Rhenish mining area, which is increasingly developing into a dynamic innovation hotspot for future technologies in the course of structural change and offers excellent conditions for deep-tech start-ups. From our perspective, North Rhine-Westphalia comes very close to this ideal: with committed support from politics, a strong research landscape, and active networks such as EIN Quantum NRW, which sustainably support deep-tech start-ups in successfully transferring scientific excellence to the market.

What are the strengths of the system in the Aachen region?

For me, the Aachen region as part of the Rhenish mining area in North Rhine-Westphalia has an exceptionally strong innovation ecosystem. It is characterized in particular by the close integration of cutting-edge research and industrial application. With RWTH Aachen and Forschungszentrum Jülich, internationally leading research institutions are located here that actively support the transfer of scientific findings into spin-offs and marketable technologies. Added to this is a distinctive engineering and technology culture with access to excellent infrastructure and highly qualified professionals - a decisive advantage especially for hardware-oriented deep-tech start-ups. This is complemented by a dense network of industry, start-ups, and politics. Initiatives such as EIN Quantum NRW as well as the impulses from the Rhenish mining area additionally strengthen the region as an innovation and transformation space for future technologies.

What impulses do you expect at the Tech Impact Festival at RWTH?

At the Tech Impact Festival at RWTH Aachen, I expect above all strong substantive and strategic impulses at the interface of cutting-edge research, industry, and entrepreneurship. The festival offers an excellent platform to gain new perspectives on technology transfer, scaling, and market applications and to deepen exchange with start-ups, established companies, and investors. For us as developers of a patented, semiconductor-based full-stack quantum computer, this dialogue is particularly valuable for further developing application areas, partnerships, and future collaboration potential. At the same time, the Tech Impact Festival makes the innovative power of RWTH Aachen and the region visible and strengthens the deep-tech ecosystem in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Rhenish mining area overall.