Developing quantum hardware and infrastructure
PiCard Systems develops advanced hardware and systems that address critical bottlenecks in the quantum computing industry, including qubit quality control, error monitoring, and quantum information storage.
The quantum computing industry faces a fundamental scaling challenge: how to manufacture high-performance qubit chips in a quality-controlled, reliable and cost-efficient way.
Manufacturers of Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) need fast, reproducible, and wafer-scale qubit chip characterization before chips are diced, packaged, and integrated into quantum computers.
Product
PiCard Systems develops a cryogenic, table-top wafer-level characterization platform that enables pre-dicing evaluation of qubit performance on freshly fabricated QPU wafers. Our system provides fast feedback to manufacturers, accelerating process optimization, improving yield, and reducing development cycles.
Key advantage:
Pre-dicing, wafer-scale qubit evaluation – in a compact cryogenic system.
- Wafer-level characterization prior to chip singulation
- Rapid feedback for process control and yield improvement
- Table-top footprint
- Cryogenic operation at the single-digit Kelvin level
Mission
Our mission is to unlock the full potential of quantum computing by building the hardware infrastructure required for scalable, high-performance quantum systems.
Beyond quality control, PiCard is developing a materials-platform technology aimed at quantum information storage and quantum microprocessing. By leveraging quantum-state-based information processing, our technology targets reduced error rates and enhanced performance in next-generation quantum architectures.
We believe scalable quantum computing requires both precise hardware control and robust quantum state preservation – and our technology addresses both.
Research
PiCard Systems is a spin-off from Radboud University (the Netherlands).
Its technological foundation originates from advanced materials research conducted at the national HFML-FELIX institute, where our fundamental studies of quantum materials laid the groundwork for scalable quantum hardware concepts. Our approach builds on years of experimental work in semiconductor materials, cryogenic systems, and quantum-relevant material characterization.
Scientific research remains at the core of PiCard’s innovation strategy.
Partners
R&D Partners
Industry networks
Funding
Core team
Viktoria Eless, PhD
CTO and co-founder
“At the intersection of where our technology and the world meet, my role as CTO is particularly exciting! I am proud that we are developing a material system that can tackle several scaling bottlenecks that are preventing Quantum Computing from unleashing its full potential.”
Viktoria spun-out research findings from investigating optically gated silicon qubits at the HFML-FELIX user facility, after realizing that its applications could make a difference in the emerging quantum computing industry. She obtained her PhD working at the Quantum Detection group at the National Physical Laboratory in the UK. Bridging science and application with unusual combinations, whether it’s bringing together the entrepreneurial and lab work, or using far infrared optics in cryogenic systems continue to motivate her.
Focus:
Technical leadership, system architecture, materials platform development, cryogenic measurement expertise.
Siebe van Mensfoort, PhD
CEO and co-founder
“The enormous potential of quantum computing and the belief that our technology can play a pivotal role in overcoming key challenges faced by the quantum computing industry is my motivation. I gladly help turn that potential into reality.”
Siebe leads the PiCard team and is responsible for the company’s overall strategy and operations, with a particular focus on partnerships, business development, and financing. He holds a PhD in physics and combines a strong technical background in semiconductor device physics with entrepreneurial and commercial experience gained from founding and building high-tech ventures. His research and industry work have focused on semiconductor device physics and modeling of electronic materials and devices.
Focus:
General management, strategy, partnerships, financing, ecosystem development.
Sara Marzban, PhD
Lead Scientist
“Contributing to technology that helps shape the future of quantum computing systems is deeply motivating. PiCard Systems has both strong science and a strong sense of purpose. It’s meaningful to me to build a company from the ground up—shaping its science and fostering a culture where people feel motivated and supported.”
Sara completed her PhD at the Australian National University, developing a platform for integrated quantum photonic devices. This work continued as she became a postdoctoral researcher at QuTech, TU Delft, working on solid-state quantum memories for quantum communication and single quantum emitters in the telecom band. Later postdoctoral work at the University of Twente focused on quantum optics experiments using single photon sources, quantum processors and single photon detectors. Sara’s research, spanning her PhD and both postdoctoral positions, has resulted in publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Focus:
Scientific roadmap, quantum materials research, device characterization, experimental validation.
Contact
info@picardsystems.nl
Forum
Geert Grooteplein Zuid 41
6525 GA Nijmegen
The Netherlands
HFML-FELIX Laboratory
Toernooiveld 7
6525 ED Nijmegen
The Netherlands
House of Quantum
Elektronicaweg 10
2628 XG Delft
The Netherlands