QC Ware: Interview With CEO Matt Johnson About The Quantum Computing Team - Pulse 2.0
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QC Ware is a leading software and services company at the forefront of quantum and classical computing. Pulse 2.0 interviewed QC Ware CEO Matt Johnson to learn more about the company. “I started out as an officer in the Air Force and then spent ~18 years in private equity. I am an avid swimmer—swam the English Channel.” How did the idea for the company come together? Johnson shared: “Through a chance meeting with Pete Worden, who was the Center Director at NASA-Ames. He was standing up a quantum computing theory group and he explained that, if I set up a startup, his QC group could collaborate with that company.” What has been your favorite memory in building QC Ware, so far? Johnson reflected: “The people. We have pulled together a group of A++ scientists and engineers and quantum chemists and business people that would never have been pulled together into a single team before. Seeing them group and work together is a gift.” What are the company’s core products and features? Johnson explained: “Promethium is a molecular design software package. It is the most powerful application of its kind in the market, and is used by pharma companies to develop new drugs, and materials and automotive companies to develop new materials, chemicals and catalysts.” What challenges have Johnson and the team faced in building the company? Johnson acknowledged: “Yes—changes in customer markets and technology development have led us to make decisions on offerings and priorities.” How has the company’s technology evolved since its launch? Johnson noted: “From algorithms to SaaS software to collaborations and larger partnerships.” What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Johnson cited: “Promethium: Landed close to 30 top-tier customers, over $1 million in bookings in our first year, 9 of top 20 pharma companies using our software.” When asking Johnson about customer success stories, he highlighted: “Our customers are now able–thanks to Promethium–to identify high-potential drug (molecule) candidates for inclusion into clinical trials.” What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Johnson assessed: “For our current SaaS offering, the TAM is roughly $2 billion. As we add capabilities to our offering, we will be able to play in markets that are in the tens of billions of dollars.” What differentiates the company from its competition? Johnson affirmed: “Our core product, Promethium, allows pharma and materials companies to solve very hard simulation and modeling problems that competitive software packages are unable to. Think of driving a Ferrari vs. a Model T.” What are some of the company’s future goals? Johnson emphasized: “We will be the first company to allow molecules to be developed fully ‘in silico’—so without most of the expensive and time-consuming experimentation and synthesis done today.” Tell us about the Q2B Conference series. What made you want to create this conference? Johnson replied: “We have always been thought leaders in quantum computing, and we have always remained strong relationships with the other members of the overall QC ecosystem. So hosting these ‘community’ events makes perfect sense.” Highlights From This Year’s Silicon Valley Conference What are some highlights from this year’s Silicon Valley conference that most excited you? Johnson pointed out: “Google announced the results of its Willow quantum processor, which will pave the way for it to build full-scale quantum computers.” What role does Q2B play in supporting quantum startups? Tell us more about the pitch competition. Johnson emphasized: “Startups are the engine of innovation in quantum technologies—as is the case in just about all over technology areas. We focus on getting those companies visibility and access at Q2B. The pitch competition that we hold every year is a great way to put a spotlight on really exceptional startups and really novel products.” What is the future of the Q2B Conference series? Johnson concluded: “Q2B is already the largest quantum conference—and the only one with global reach. It is becoming the main industry trade show. Think of Q2B and the CES for quantum technologies. The forum for new product and technology announcements.