Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

By Wolfgang Lechner

The ParityQC team

Photo: Fitsch

Austria has long been known for its scientific achievements, and this is especially true in Innsbruck - a city with a strong tradition in quantum research that has influenced many. For me, it was two Austrian physicists that did so: Anton Zeilinger and Peter Zoller. As a high school student in Tirol in the 1990s, I was captivated by the groundbreaking experiments in quantum physics performed at the University of Innsbruck by Anton Zeilinger, who went on to win a Nobel Prize. Back in 1998, we were visiting the University and meeting him changed my perspective on science. Physics was no longer just about equations; it was about pushing boundaries and challenging accepted ideas. His message - that true breakthroughs often face scepticism but should be pursued regardless - deeply resonated with me. After my studies in Vienna, years later, I had the privilege of working with Peter Zoller as a PostDoc in Innsbruck. He is one of the fathers of quantum computing as we know it today. Working with him showed me how a world-leading research group operates, and it became clear to me that the pioneering work happening there is no coincidence.

UNESCO celebrating 2025 as the “International Year of Quantum Science and Technology” is a fantastic recognition for our field, and a chance to look back at the history that brought us here. From Bell state measurements to quantum computing, the foundational research from Austria has been essential in the development of modern quantum physics, sparking innovations that range from basic theories to practical applications.

At ParityQC, we are proud to be carrying this scientific heritage into a new era of quantum computing. We see ourselves as “standing on the shoulders of giants”: our company was founded as a spin-off from the University of Innsbruck and the Austrian Academy of Sciences, with deep connections to the research community. Our team works daily on the development of the ParityQC Architecture, an innovative architecture for quantum computers that offers a new approach to creating scalable devices. Today, we have several ongoing collaborations with hardware developers in Europe and worldwide, with the goal of jointly creating highly scalable quantum computers. This year we have shown that the ParityQC Architecture is the most efficient way to implement cornerstone quantum algorithms. I am extremely proud of the team for that.

ParityQC Co-CEOs Wolfgang Lechner and Magdalena Hauser

Photo: Günther Egger

We foster a very close relationship with the University of Innsbruck, which means that academic research and technological innovation go hand in hand. We’re able to bring fundamental research to life by implementing it on real quantum computers in the context of our projects. This partnership enhances our work, keeping us at the forefront of quantum research while also supporting the next generation of scientists and engineers. As we celebrate the “International Year of Quantum Science and Technology”, we are honored to be doing our small part in bringing the invaluable scientific heritage of our country into a new era.

The ParityQC Architecture

Photo: ParityQC