SkyWater and Qolab Partner on Superconducting Quantum Device Manufacturing

Insider Brief

• SkyWater Technology and Qolab have announced a multi-year commercial collaboration to transition superconducting quantum technology from custom development to repeatable wafer manufacturing.
• Qolab will serve as a lead customer for SkyWater’s SC250 superconducting platform to advance its Quantum System-in-Package architecture.
• The partnership combines SkyWater’s Minnesota fabrication capabilities with Qolab’s packaging, integration and testing operations in Wisconsin, while SkyWater invests in superconducting fabrication upgrades.

PRESS RELEASE — SkyWater Technology and Qolab today announced a multi-year commercial collaboration. The agreement is designed to transition superconducting technology from custom development programs to repeatable wafer manufacturing. The engagement combines platform-based wafer services, defined production terms, and coordinated capacity planning.

The framework provides Qolab with greater visibility as it scales and creates a commercial model that drives broader adoption of SkyWater’s superconducting technologies. SkyWater is investing in dedicated quantum tool upgrades as part of a broader modernization of its fabrication facilities to accelerate this transition.

“Quantum technologies are moving beyond the laboratory and require commercial manufacturing models adapted for their unique needs,” said Thomas Sonderman, President and CEO of SkyWater Technology. “Our collaboration with Qolab demonstrates SkyWater’s unique Technology-as-a-Service business model. It combines specialized process development with production-oriented wafer services in a mature foundry environment. This approach accelerates the path to differentiated quantum technologies, benefiting the entire industry.”

As quantum technologies advance, companies need access to specialized fabrication capabilities within a disciplined commercial foundry environment. Both companies believe this first-of-its-kind collaboration establishes an open-access, and capital-efficient model. This partnership connects quantum technology development with repeatable wafer manufacturing. The collaboration also provides greater consistency and commercial visibility.

Under the agreement, Qolab will serve as a lead customer on SkyWater’s newly launched SC250 superconducting platform to advance its Quantum System-in-Package (QSiP). The QSiP architecture is designed to address key cost, complexity, and form-factor challenges in scaling quantum systems. It achieves this by integrating cryogenic wiring, low-pass filters, and amplifiers into a compact package. The collaboration links SkyWater’s superconducting platform with Qolab’s back-end packaging, integration, and testing capabilities in Wisconsin. Together they establish a coordinated Midwest manufacturing pathway for superconducting quantum devices.

“SkyWater brings an established track record of supporting quantum programs and gives us access today to the specialized capabilities needed to advance our Quantum System-in-Package,” said Dr. John Martinis, Chief Technology Officer of Qolab. “QSiP is designed to materially improve quantum system economics by integrating costly, complex cryogenic control components into a compact package. Combining SkyWater’s rapid, flexible development support with a repeatable commercial wafer services model gives us the manufacturing and cost visibility needed to iterate quickly toward commercial deployment.”

Key Commercial & Financial Highlights

• Unique Midwest Superconducting Manufacturing Partnership: Linking SkyWater’s specialized fabrication capabilities in Minnesota with Qolab’s design and testing expertise in Wisconsin is unique. This collaboration establishes a first-of-its-kind regional ecosystem to accelerate workforce development.
• Unprecedented Commercial Framework: A first-of-its-kind agreement combining custom technology development transitioning to locked-in unit production costs at high volumes.
• Strategic Infrastructure Investment: SkyWater is investing in superconducting fabrication tool upgrades. This reinforces its broader fab-wide modernization initiative, and its long-standing heritage of developing unique process capabilities.
• Accelerated SC250 Platform Utilization: Qolab‘s adoption of SC250 validates SkyWater‘s TaaS model and creates a blueprint for other quantum hardware developers. This repeatable blueprint will accelerate the transition from custom fabs to foundries.