Based in Veldhoven, Netherlands, ASML is the world’s leading manufacturer of photolithography systems, which are the essential machines used by semiconductor companies like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung to manufacture microchips. At its core, the company specializes in using light to etch incredibly intricate circuit patterns onto silicon wafers, a process that is fundamental to creating the billions of transistors found in modern electronics. Their most significant innovation is Extreme Ultraviolet, or EUV, lithography, a technology they currently monopolize. By using a light source with a much shorter wavelength than previous methods, ASML’s machines can print features at the nanometer scale, enabling the production of the highly powerful, energy-efficient chips required for everything from advanced smartphones to the massive data centers running artificial intelligence. A single EUV machine is a marvel of engineering, composed of over 100,000 individual parts, costing hundreds of millions of dollars, and requiring immense precision—often described as having the flattest mirrors ever created by humanity. Because these machines are the bottleneck for cutting-edge chip production, ASML sits at the absolute center of the global semiconductor supply chain and plays a critical role in determining the pace of technological advancement in computing, AI, and telecommunications. Essentially, while ASML does not design or produce the microchips themselves, they provide the highly specialized equipment without which the modern digital economy could not function, making them one of the most strategically important technology companies in the world today.

Founded in 2020 and based in the heart of Paris, C12’s mission is to be at the center of one of the biggest technological breakthroughs of the century and change the course of history by building a universal quantum computer.
At C12, we believe that achieving a true breakthrough in quantum computing requires rethinking the fundamentals. That’s why our founders—deeply rooted in academic and engineering excellence—have chosen carbon nanotubes as the building blocks of our quantum processors. This ultra-pure material dramatically reduces error rates, boosts performance, and minimizes hardware overhead—key ingredients for scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing. By crafting a unique approach that scales, we aim to revolutionize quantum computing just as silicon transformed classical computing.

Since our founding, we’ve raised close to €40 million in funding, published 11 scientific papers, and secured 8 patents. Today, our fast-growing team of 60, including 20 PhDs, has over 20 nationalities represented. We have our own cutting-edge lab spaces in Paris’ historic Panthéon district, where scientists, engineers, and innovators work side-by-side to tackle some of the most exciting technical challenges of our time.

If you’re passionate about shaping the future of quantum technology and want to make a real impact, C12 offers a unique environment to grow, learn, and innovate.

OrangeQS positions itself as a system integrator in the quantum‑technology landscape, focusing on the development of complete solutions for testing quantum‑chip performance. Designing and assembling the specialized test equipment, control stacks and measurement protocols required to extract meaningful information from quantum devices is traditionally a major bottleneck. It demands deep expertise across hardware, software, cryogenics and quantum‑control engineering.

By integrating these elements into coherent, turnkey systems, OrangeQS removes this barrier for its customers. Its products combine proprietary testing protocols with carefully matched measurement and control hardware, resulting in high‑throughput, industrial‑scale test platforms. These systems provide fast, reliable characterization of quantum chips and are built to support the rapid iteration cycles needed as quantum processors scale in complexity.

Furthermore, OrangeQS develops flexible, fit‑for‑purpose systems for quantum R&D labs. These modular solutions are designed to adapt to evolving laboratory needs, making it easier for researchers to reconfigure or build setups, explore new device concepts or scale experiments over time. This flexibility ensures that quantum‑chip development laboratories can remain productive and future‑proof, even as technologies and research directions shift.

As a spin‑off from QuTech, the company builds on experience gained in developing early quantum computing infrastructure, applying a systems‑engineering mindset to the challenges of quantum‑chip testing. By acting as a system integrator, OrangeQS helps customers iterate faster and more intelligently, enabling both industrial and academic users to accelerate their quantum‑chip development pathways.