Well, that was a quick 20 years… NVIDIA is reportedly in advanced talks to invest in photonic quantum computing startup PsiQuantum, a move that would mark the chipmaker’s first direct bet on hardware qubits and signal a shift in its long-term outlook for the field, according to multiple media sources. If finalized, the deal would fold NVIDIA into a $750 million funding round currently led by BlackRock, potentially valuing PsiQuantum near $6 billion — double the Palo Alto firm’s valuation during its $450 million Series D in 2021, reports The Information and Reuters. For NVIDIA, the rumored investment extends an ongoing pivot toward quantum computing that includes its cuQuantum software development kit, the QODA hybrid system framework, and a new quantum research lab opened in Boston earlier this year. PsiQuantum, founded by physicists from the University of Bristol, has drawn attention for its ambitious plan to build a million-qubit fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2028. The firm’s chips are fabricated at GlobalFoundries using standard 300-millimeter semiconductor processes, making PsiQuantum the only company reportedly building photonic qubits in a commercial-scale CMOS fab line. The fabrication process, normally used for mobile and automotive chips, enables high-yield manufacturing of PsiQuantum’s photonic integrated circuits — key to its scalability claims, reports R&D World.

Full report : PsiQuantum, which is building a physical quantum computer, is in the process of raising $750 million; a source says Nvidia is in advanced talks to invest.