You Won't Believe What Silo AI's Founder is Doing After a Shocking $655 Million Exit!

In a significant move for the evolving landscape of computing, European AI and quantum entrepreneurs have come together to establish a new startup known as Qutwo. This initiative, led by Peter Sarlin, founder of the AI company Silo AI, follows a lucrative exit of $655 million from the sale of his previous venture. Qutwo aims to help businesses transition from classical to quantum computing, a shift that many experts believe could reshape industries by unlocking unprecedented computational power.

According to reports from Handelsblatt, Qutwo is currently in the process of developing AI-driven software designed to simulate how existing enterprise workloads can migrate towards quantum systems. This is particularly timely as the timeline for achieving what is known as “quantum advantage”—the point at which quantum computers can outperform their classical counterparts—remains uncertain.

Joining Sarlin in this venture is Kuan Yen Tan, a co-founder of the German-Finnish quantum computing company IQM. Sarlin has framed Qutwo as a forward-looking company, leveraging AI to prepare businesses for a future where quantum computing becomes practical. The company was incubated within PostScriptum, a Helsinki-based AI venture builder that Sarlin founded to bolster European technological sovereignty.

The launch of Qutwo comes at a time when major corporations and governments are increasingly discussing the potential benefits of quantum computing. With many companies in sectors such as chemicals, energy, and materials science preparing for a possible abrupt arrival of quantum capabilities, Qutwo aims to fill the gap in understanding how and when this transition may occur. As noted in Handelsblatt, many enterprises are still grappling with which of their calculations might benefit from quantum methods and how such a transition would impact existing IT processes.

Quantum computers are anticipated to excel in tasks that involve complex molecule modeling, material simulation, and optimization problems that currently challenge traditional computing resources. Without preparation, businesses risk falling behind as quantum technology potentially becomes mainstream.

Bridging the Computing Gap

Sarlin draws parallels between the current excitement surrounding quantum computing and the evolution of artificial intelligence over the past decade. In AI, transformative advancements were not solely due to new algorithms, but also driven by improved computing power. The shift from traditional central processing units (CPUs) to graphics processing units (GPUs) significantly enhanced the parallel calculations required for modern AI applications. Companies invested billions into GPU-based data centers, which now enable rapid tasks such as generating text, images, and software code—activities that once required extensive human effort.

As Sarlin explains, the same principle will apply to quantum computing. Even in the absence of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum machines, businesses will need ways to experiment, plan, and redesign workflows. Qutwo’s approach includes using AI-driven software to model quantum behavior, providing organizations with insights into how future systems might integrate into their operations.

Sarlin, who founded Silo AI in 2017, has witnessed the AI landscape evolve significantly, particularly with the rise of generative AI tools. His previous company was acquired by the U.S. chipmaker AMD in 2024 for $665 million. However, he does not anticipate a sudden shift to quantum computing; instead, he foresees a gradual transition where classical and quantum systems coexist for years. During this hybrid phase, a combination of traditional computers, AI, and early quantum devices will likely dominate.

Qutwo strategically positions itself for this transitional period. Rather than waiting for powerful quantum hardware to become widely available, the company is betting that enterprises will invest now to better understand quantum computing's implications for their operations in the future. By simulating potential quantum workloads and mapping out transitional strategies, Qutwo hopes to mitigate uncertainty and reduce the risks of being caught off guard by this technological shift.

Furthermore, the founders of Qutwo emphasize the importance of technological sovereignty. They view their venture as part of a broader initiative to ensure that Europe’s industrial base is not left responding to quantum advancements made elsewhere. As the quantum race heats up, companies like Qutwo could play a crucial role in shaping the future landscape of both artificial intelligence and quantum computing.