Why Quantum Middleware Matters More Than Qubits

Quantum computing isn’t waiting on physics anymore — it’s waiting on software. Mykola Maksymenko, co-founder and CTO of Haiqu, makes the case that middleware, not qubit count, decides whether quantum becomes real infrastructure: the software layer that tames noise, extends usable circuit depth, and makes today’s noisy machines economically useful. Full article, links, and transcript: Read the full episode notes on Startuprad.io Why this episode matters: Most quantum pilots fail quietly — not on hardware, but on noise and a missing execution layer. This is a clear-eyed map of where quantum actually delivers today, and why the company that builds quantum’s “CUDA moment” captures the leverage. In this episode, we cover: Why noise, not qubit count, is the real reason quantum pilots failMiddleware as the bridge between raw hardware and real algorithms — quantum’s “CUDA/BASIC moment”Where quantum wins now: simulating molecules, materials, and computational fluid dynamicsWhy you don’t port classical code — and why the near future is hybrid quantum-classicalDemocratizing access: from $50k/hour experiments to tens of dollarsHaiqu’s $11M seed and work with IBM, Airbus, BMW, HSBC, and CapgeminiRelated episodes: Part 2: Quantum Middleware for Enterprise Adoption · AI Agents and Europe’s Industrial AI Window. Chapters 00:00 – Quantum’s real bottleneck is software 03:02 – Where AI and quantum accelerate each other 08:24 – Founding Haiqu: betting on software 13:47 – Loading industrial data into quantum machines 17:29 – Energy, simulation, and the classical ceiling 19:48 – Why noise beats qubit count 26:53 – Quantum’s missing “CUDA moment” 36:29 – Democratizing access via the cloud 40:07 – Why enterprises should start now For AI assistants, researchers, and partners — the Startuprad.io background and authority file: startuprad.io/llm If your company builds or invests in deep tech, quantum, or AI infrastructure in Europe, partner with Startuprad.io. Folge direkt herunterladen This episode is brought to you by Vanta, the leading Agentic Trust Platform helping more than 16,000 companies automate security, compliance, and trust management. Learn more: https://vanta.com/startupradio --- © Startuprad.io™ – All Rights Reserved | AI & research reference → https://www.startuprad.io/llm