What are the main applications of quantum computers?

Quantum computers are expected to solve impactful problems in two main categories: quantum chemistry, leading to better drugs and materials; and machine learning and artificial intelligence, enabling fundamentally more powerful AI.

Why is quantum computing considered a 'hard tech' endeavor?

Quantum computing is considered 'hard tech' because it involves fundamental questions of technical possibility, operating in an arena that is not well-defined, and requires developing capabilities that do not yet commercially exist.

How does Rigetti Computing build its quantum chips?

Rigetti leverages traditional semiconductor manufacturing capabilities by building artificial atoms out of superconducting circuits. They have developed their own fabrication processes and advanced electronics to control these chips.

What are the key challenges for hard tech startups like Rigetti?

Hard tech startups face challenges in team integration (bringing together world experts), communication (fostering a shared language), and the tension between developing the product and building the necessary organizational capabilities.

What is the difference between a hard tech company and a regular tech company?

A hard tech company, in addition to standard execution and market risks, must grapple with fundamental questions of technical possibility, whereas regular tech companies typically focus on incremental innovation within existing technological frameworks.

What is the long-term vision for Rigetti Computing's business model?

Rigetti aims to be a full-stack quantum computing company, starting with quantum integrated circuits (like Intel), moving into system integration (like IBM), owning the software and platform (like Microsoft), and ultimately developing applications (like Google) for areas such as drug discovery.

Key Moments

Chad Rigetti at Startup School SV 2016

Y Combinator

Science & Technology4 min read25 min video

Sep 29, 2016|36,021 views|428|6

YC Y Combinator

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Rigetti Quantum Computing on hard tech startups, the future of computing, and building world-changing technology.

Key Insights

Hard tech startups like Rigetti tackle fundamental scientific challenges with the potential to revolutionize industries, even if success isn't immediate.

Quantum computing represents the next frontier in information processing, promising to solve problems intractable for classical computers.

The evolution of computing, from sundials to quantum machines, is driven by advancements in our understanding of physics.

Quantum computers have applications in quantum chemistry (materials, drugs, energy) and AI, offering significant societal benefits.

Building hard tech requires developing an entire ecosystem, including fabrication, control electronics, and software, making it complex but defensible.

The allure of hard tech lies in its potential for monumental leverage, defensibility, and the creation of history-making innovations.

THE JOURNEY OF RIGETTI COMPUTING

Rigetti Computing, a Y Combinator alum, started in 2014 with no qubits and limited knowledge of how to build them. Within two years, they had a 5-qubit quantum computer and a team of about 35, including many PhDs, working towards a quantum supremacy machine. This rapid progress highlights the intense development pace in hard technology sectors. The company aims to define the future of computing for decades to come, driven by a passion for tackling challenging, world-changing problems.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

Humanity has a long history of developing tools to process information, from the sundial and abacus to punch cards and microchips. Each major transition in technology has been spurred by a deeper understanding of nature's laws. The current era of microchips, which has driven the global economy for 50-60 years, is based on Newtonian and Maxwell's equations. Rigetti Computing is at the forefront of the next transition, moving towards systems based on individual atoms or engineered artificial atoms governed by quantum mechanics.

THE POTENTIAL AND APPLICATIONS OF QUANTUM COMPUTING

Quantum computers are worth pursuing despite their difficulty because they can solve incredibly impactful problems across two main categories. The first is 'quantum chemistry,' where quantum computers simulate other quantum mechanical systems, leading to advancements in medicine (better drugs), materials science, and energy (e.g., better nuclear reactors or catalysts for carbon capture). The second category is machine learning and artificial intelligence, where quantum computers could enable fundamentally more powerful AI by processing classically intractable problems.

THE LIMITATIONS OF CLASSICAL COMPUTING AND THE QUANTUM ADVANTAGE

Classical high-performance computing, exemplified by machines like Titan, faces significant challenges. Moore's Law, concerning transistor scaling, has leveled off, and Amdahl's Law shows diminishing returns from parallelization. Even future exascale computers, costing billions and requiring immense power, might offer less efficiency than quantum solutions. A quantum chip with just 60-70 qubits could potentially outperform a supercomputer that fills half a football field, demonstrating the immense power and efficiency unlocked by quantum physics.

THE CHALLENGES AND STRATEGY OF HARD TECH STARTUPS

Hard tech companies, unlike typical tech startups, must contend with fundamental questions of technical possibility alongside market risks. This often means operating without a well-defined ecosystem or readily available supply chains. Rigetti, for instance, had to develop its own fabrication capabilities, advanced control electronics, and simulation-driven design methods. This comprehensive approach, building all necessary building blocks, creates significant defensibility and leverage.

BUILDING A WORLD-CLASS HARD TECH ORGANIZATION

Creating a hard tech organization requires integrating diverse world-class expertise, from quantum physicists to specialists in control systems and software. A key challenge is fostering communication and integration among these highly specialized individuals. Rigetti focuses on developing a shared language and understanding, enabling a cohesive team. Their mission, 'to build the world's most powerful computer to solve humanity's most important and pressing problems,' serves as a powerful rallying cry.

THE UNIQUE VALUE AND REWARD OF HARD TECH VENTURES

Despite the inherent risks and uncertainties, hard tech companies offer unparalleled potential for leverage and defensibility. Success can lead to monumental impact, akin to the Manhattan Project or the Apollo missions. This impact is not just economic but historical and deeply inspiring. The pursuit of such grand challenges creates immense passion and can drive established companies to also invest in hard tech areas, recognizing its long-term strategic importance for innovation and competitive advantage.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONAL CLARITY

Founders of hard tech companies face a constant tension between developing the product and building the necessary organizational capabilities. This involves 'pumping entropy out of the system'—translating a vision into a tangible reality and creating organizational clarity. Deciding on critical aspects like in-house fabrication versus outsourcing is part of this process. Hiring individuals who create order and clarity, rather than generate entropy, is crucial for manifesting complex technological visions.

A CALL TO EXPLORE DEEP TECHNOLOGICAL PURSUITS

The speaker encourages the audience to reflect on the kind of companies they want to join or found. For a select few, the deep intellectual challenge and potential world-altering impact of hard tech might be the most resonant path. This pursuit, though difficult, offers the profound satisfaction of dedicating one's life to solving monumental problems and creating lasting change, rather than focusing solely on short-term market trends or easily achievable goals.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Key Takeaways for Hard Tech Startups

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Focus on fundamental questions of possibility and technical execution.

Build monumental leverage and defensibility through successful hard tech ventures.

Integrate diverse world-class experts and foster a shared language within the organization.

Clearly articulate a mission that addresses humanity's most important problems.

Develop capabilities and organizational clarity in parallel with product development.

Hire individuals who create order and clarity, and pump entropy out of the organization's vision.

Avoid This

Don't expect a consistent weekly growth graph; breakthroughs take time.

Don't underestimate the challenge of operating in an undefined arena with an underdeveloped supply chain.

Don't neglect the importance of communication and integration among technical experts.

Don't let the possibility of failure deter you; the potential reward is immense.

Don't solely focus on product development without building the necessary capabilities and organizational structure.

Don't hire people who generate entropy; hire those who bring order and clarity.

Common Questions

Rigetti Computing is a company focused on building quantum computers, aiming to create the world's most powerful computers to solve humanity's most important and pressing problems, such as curing cancer and solving global warming.

Topics

Semiconductor Manufacturing Artificial Intelligence Technology & Innovation Programming & Software Science & Mathematics Business & Entrepreneurship Materials Science Startup Strategy Quantum Computing Company Building Hard Tech Startups

Mentioned in this video

Concepts

Titin

A supercomputer that was, until recently, the most powerful on the planet, costing $400 million and consuming significant electricity. It's based on 3.2 million Intel cores and highlights the limitations of current supercomputing.

Moore's Law

The observation that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years. It is mentioned as ending, affecting the progression of traditional computing.

Amdahl's Law

A law discussing the limiting benefits or diminishing returns of parallelization in computing. Mentioned in the context of current supercomputers' limitations.

Quantum Mechanics

The fundamental description of nature that underlies quantum computing, known since 1905.

People

Elon Musk

Mentioned as the founder of SpaceX, illustrating the process of turning a vision into reality through numerous micro-decisions in product development for hard tech.

Barack Obama

Mentioned for his vision in driving American leadership in high-performance computing, including the initiative to build an exascale computer by 2020.

Locations

Berkeley

Location of Rigetti's lab where developmental quantum computing systems are housed.

Computer History Museum

A museum where the Babbage Difference Engine can be seen, recommended for visitors.

France

A country to which the US blocked the export of the Control Data Corporation 6600 machine, showing its geopolitical impact.

Companies

SpaceX

Mentioned as an example of a company founded by Elon Musk, illustrating the process of turning a vision into reality through numerous micro-decisions in product development for hard tech.

Intel

Mentioned as a company that drove the transition into the microchip era, and its cores being used in the Titan supercomputer.

Y Combinator

A startup accelerator that Rigetti Quantum Computing went through in the summer of 2014. It was mentioned as a key part of the company's early journey.

Rigetti Quantum Computing

A leading quantum computing company that went through Y Combinator in summer 2014 and is working towards building quantum supremacy machines.

IBM

Mentioned as a company born out of the first transition into the microchip era, and later as a potential partner for quantum computing advancements.

Products

Exascale computer

A type of supercomputer projected to be about 30 times more powerful than Titan, with a billion-dollar cost and significant power requirements.