RSM, the 6th largest global consulting and audit network, conducted the financial and tax due diligence for Pasqal, global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, during its acquisition of Aeponyx, Inc., a Canadian pioneering company in photonic integrated circuits.

To successfully carry out this cross-border deal, Pasqal was supported by a Franco-Canadian team led by Eric Fougedoire, James Knight, and Michael Joseph, RSM partners.

The Corporate Finance team of RSM strengthens its role as a strategic advisor to innovative players in quantum technologies by supporting them in their buy-and-build operations. 

Official press release from Pasqal

Pasqal, a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, today announced the acquisition of AEPONYX, a Canadian pioneer in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) – specialized chips in precise light control and manipulation. This strategic move strengthens Pasqal’s hardware platform and accelerates the company’s roadmap to fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC), a critical milestone toward unlocking quantum’s full potential.

Quantum computers work by harnessing the rules of quantum physics. Pasqal’s platform uses neutral atoms, suspended in space using lasers, as quantum bits, or qubits. These atoms store and process quantum information with extraordinary accuracy and coherence.

Controlling the light that manipulates these atoms requires extreme precision, more than traditional systems can provide. AEPONYX’s PICsoffer a compact, stable, and efficient way to generate and control the complex light fields required to trap, arrange, and entangle these atoms. Embedding this technology directly into Pasqal’s processors brings a new level of accuracy, robustness and scalability to the complex optics needed to run a quantum computer.

 “AEPONYX has built some of the most precise and scalable light-control chips available now,” said Loïc Henriet, CEO of Pasqal. “By combining their technology with our neutral-atom architecture, we’re tightening our control over a critical part of the hardware stack. This gives us a competitive edge in scalability, advanced individual control of qubits, and hardware stability – three main goals every quantum company must achieve to deliver value at scale.”

LThe integration of PICs will allow Pasqal to replace delicate optical setups with chip-scale photonic circuits that will dramatically increase the stability of atom control and the precision of individual qubit manipulation. It will also simplify scaling from hundreds to thousands of qubits.

“Quantum computing is crossing a threshold – from proof-of-concept to real, usable processors,” said Philippe Babin, CEO of AEPONYX. “Joining Pasqal means our photonics will help power that leap. Together, we’re not just making better quantum machines – we’re building the foundation of a new computing era.”

A Shared Vision: Precision, Power, and Global Leadership

The combination of neutral atom qubits and photonic chips delivers a unique technological edge: unmatched control fidelity, error resilience, and hardware stability. These are the critical ingredients in the next-generation digital fault-tolerant quantum computing – processors that detect and correct their own errors in real time.

With this acquisition, Pasqal is executing on its broader vision: to build the world’s most practical and scalable quantum computers systems, moving quickly to enterprise-ready platforms.

“The future of computing will belong to the leading companies who can make quantum systems practical, reliable, and scalable,” Henriet added. “With AEPONYX on board, we’re a giant step closer to that future.”

The RSM team

• France: Eric Fougedoire
• Canada : James Knight, Michael Joseph