FirstQFM Foundation Model Cuts Quantum Gate Times by 33% on QuantWare QPU via NVIDIA Computing

Quantum machine learning developer FirstQFM AB has announced hardware-validated benchmarking results demonstrating a 33% reduction in single-qubit gate execution times on QuantWare’s 21-qubit Contralto-D21 superconducting quantum processor (QPU), executed without degradation in gate fidelity. Ahead of NVIDIA GTC Berlin 2026, the company demonstrated how its patented quantum foundation model technology integrates with Quantum Machines‘ OPX control hardware and QUA calibration stack to generate zero-shot, pulse-level single-qubit gate optimizations directly from existing calibration data without requiring additional QPU runtime. The hardware tests were validated at the Israeli Quantum Computing Center (IQCC) using randomized benchmarking. [ FirstQFM / QuantWare Benchmark Parameters & Control Stack ]System ArchitectureHardware & Control IntegrationOptimization & Performance Outcomes• Quantum Hardware• QuantWare Contralto-D21 Superconducting QPU• 21-qubit device hosted at the Israeli Quantum Computing Center (IQCC).• Control & Calibration Stack• Quantum Machines OPX Hardware + QUA Software• Provides automated calibration and low-level pulse control infrastructure.• Acceleration Platform• NVIDIA Leonardo Supercomputer + CUDA-Q SDK• Pre-trained foundation model on classical HPC before QPU fine-tuning.• Gate Optimization Metrics• Zero-shot pulse generation• 33% shorter single-qubit gate times (zero fidelity loss) + improved Bell-state fidelity on 5 qubit pairs. Developing the foundation model leveraged NVIDIA accelerated computing infrastructure—including the Leonardo supercomputer and the open-source NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform—before fine-tuning for QuantWare’s hardware. In addition to single-qubit speedups, the model identified pulse modifications that enhanced two-qubit Bell-state fidelities across five selected qubit pairs, addressing cross-talk and drift as QuantWare scales toward its larger VIO-based superconducting QPU architectures. The achievement complements QuantWare’s VIO QPU architecture scaling roadmap, builds upon QuantWare’s 3D chiplet interconnect strategy, and expands NVIDIA’s CUDA-Q platform deployment across European quantum hubs. Review the announcement on the FirstQFM Portal here and read NVIDIA’s European ecosystem feature on the NVIDIA Blog here. In GQI Portal The players behind the news The team that writes QCR tracks every company, deal and technology in the GQI Factory, GQI's verified database of the quantum industry. Next up: every story linked to its players, coming to QCR's paid plans. Players →Companies and institutions across the quantum industry, by segment. Scorecards →How the players compare on hardware, software, funding and more. Newsletter QCR Alerts in your inbox The latest reporting and analysis from Quantum Computing Report. Free, unsubscribe any time. Sign up for QCR Alerts Leave a commentCancel replyAll fields are required. Your email address will not be published.CommentName Email Type in the text displayed above Δ