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Planqc, a quantum computing startup co-founded by CEO Alexander Glätzle, won the German Founder Prize for best startup of 2025. The company raised approximately 50 million euros in 2024 and plans further funding in 2025, expanding its workforce to over 100 employees.

Planqc employs unique technology by storing information in individual atoms, allowing for the rapid scaling of qubits with long coherence times. The startup aims to tackle complex optimization tasks across various industries and has potential applications in personalized medicine, significantly reducing drug development timelines.

While Europe lacks the extensive venture capital of the USA, initiatives like the EU Scale-Up Fund may enhance support for quantum research. Additionally, concerns exist regarding quantum computers' ability to break encryption systems like Bitcoin, prompting the need for post-quantum algorithms.