Capgemini and Pasqal’s Collaborative Journey

Capgemini is a global leader in consulting, technology services, and digital transformation, renowned for helping enterprises embrace innovation with over 340,000 team members across 50+ countries. Capgemini’s Quantum Lab spearheads the company’s efforts in quantum technologies, spanning quantum computing, cryptography, and sensing, with a mission to prepare Capgemini and its clients for a quantum-powered future by combining cutting-edge research, active collaborations, and practical applications.

Exploring Quantum Potential

Recognizing the transformative potential of quantum technologies, Capgemini established its Quantum Lab as an internal initiative led by Julian van Velzen, CTIO and Head of the Quantum Lab. Initially starting as a grassroots interest group, the initiative gained traction through a combination of internal enthusiasm and emerging client interest in quantum’s possibilities.

Capgemini’s journey into quantum computing began with a strong emphasis on research and preparedness. As Julian explained, “We wanted to deeply understand quantum’s potential so we could guide our clients with informed strategies and tailored solutions.” Over the past four years, this vision evolved into a global quantum network that bridges quantum research with real-world applications. Capgemini identified Pasqal’s neutral atom technology as a promising partner due to its cutting-edge capabilities and shared commitment to advancing quantum innovation.

The Collaborative Approach with Pasqal

The collaboration between Capgemini and Pasqal began with a significant milestone in 2023 through the EQUALITY Project, a Horizon Europe-funded initiative that leverages quantum computing to address strategic industrial challenges. The project, which includes partners like Airbus, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and Leiden University, focuses on developing quantum algorithms for applications such as airfoil aerodynamics, battery design, and space mission optimization.

Building on this early success, Capgemini and Pasqal formalized their global partnership in early 2024, strengthening their shared commitment to advancing quantum computing. While Pasqal focuses on hardware and algorithm development, Capgemini serves as the application engineer, integrating quantum computing into broader workflows that combine high-performance computing (HPC) and AI.

Quantum computing’s potential spans a wide range of industries, particularly those that depend on simulating quantum systems. “The killer use case for quantum computing has remained the same for decades: simulating quantum systems,” explained Julian. Fields such as material science, chemistry, and pharmaceuticals are among the most promising beneficiaries. For instance, quantum simulations could revolutionize battery design by uncovering how atomic interactions at the quantum level degrade performance over time. Similarly, in drug discovery, quantum algorithms could offer insights into complex molecular structures, accelerating the development of new treatments. These applications align with three core criteria for quantum use cases: classical difficulty, quantum algorithm advantage, and real-world relevance, making material science and chemistry particularly well-suited for quantum breakthroughs.

One of their collaborative projects involved leveraging Pasqal’s neutral atom processors, particularly their analog quantum simulation capabilities. Together, the teams explored  —complex optimization challenges well-suited to Pasqal’s technology. These problems have applications across industries, from logistics to network optimization. Pasqal’s use of the Rydberg Blockade effect to solve such problems demonstrates the potential for quantum solutions to outperform classical approaches in specific use cases.

Beyond research, Capgemini also collaborates with Pasqal on community-driven initiatives, such as hackathons and joint academic projects. These efforts not only advance quantum research but also foster skills development and ecosystem growth. Julian noted, “Our shared focus on driving the quantum ecosystem has been instrumental in bridging research and practical application.”

Driving Value for Clients and Industries

The Capgemini-Pasqal partnership brings quantum computing closer to practical deployment. Their collaboration has resulted in valuable insights into integrating quantum components into hybrid workflows that combine classical and quantum systems. For example, the teams collaborated on benchmarking quantum algorithms as part of a project with BMW Group. By integrating neutral atom benchmarking into the manufacturer’s benchmarking platform, they demonstrated how quantum systems could complement existing computational tools.

This approach also highlights how quantum computing can bring incremental improvements in the near term. According to Julian, “Initially, quantum will enhance small parts of workflows, making them faster or more efficient. Over time, these contributions will grow, potentially reshaping entire workflows and enabling new business models.”

The Future of Collaboration

Capgemini and Pasqal’s partnership is rooted in a long-term vision for quantum computing. Both organizations are committed to advancing research while exploring scalable, real-world applications. As quantum technologies mature, they foresee expanding their focus from purely technical collaborations to broader industry engagements, such as computational chemistry and battery development.

Julian emphasized the importance of continuous optimization in quantum computing, stating, “Even as quantum technologies evolve, we’ll need to dig deep into the details to fully harness their potential. This meticulous approach ensures we get the maximum value from these machines, making them truly transformative for businesses.”

Through their collaboration, Capgemini and Pasqal are not only advancing quantum technologies but also setting the stage for quantum’s integration into enterprise solutions. Their shared vision of combining cutting-edge research with real-world relevance highlights the potential of quantum computing to redefine industries.