PROGRAM #QUANTUMTECHNOLOGY #Entreprises
Joint interview with Aurélie Hélouis, CEO and co-founder of InfinityQ and Rémi Dion, co-founder of Explorai
- How did Prompt support you throughout the funding process?
"We were accompanied by Jinny Plourde, Program Director with Prompt. Jinny explained everything and guided us through the whole process of the project submission. We reviewed our applications together, and she advised us on the parts that needed reworking to maximize our chances of having our project approved.
Because we filed a project as a collaborative innovation, that is to say, a joint project with another company and a research center, it was challenging to coordinate between all the players in the project. Jinny was there to keep us on track with deliverables as we completed key steps and with the handover of necessary paperwork. The Prompt team was always available during the implementation process, and their added value was significant for InfinityQ. Prompt played a crucial role in the approval of our project!" explained the co-founder of InfinityQ.
- What was the impetus for the collaboration between the two companies, Explorai and InfinityQ?
" In 2021, Explorai participated in the Quantum Bootcamps organized by ACET National Bank, Centech Montreal, Entrepreneuriat Laval and Quantino, which brought together the quantum field’s different actors. Prompt was a partner in this event. The Explorai team was presented as the experts in the application of artificial intelligence in the industry. This showcase of the quantum ecosystem confirmed there were many opportunities for networking between artificial intelligence and quantum. Indeed, quantum computing can benefit artificial intelligence, and the latter can facilitate the research that quantum offers. Aurélie and I had met during my studies at MILA and we made business connections after the Bootcamp," explains Rémi Dion, co-founder of Explorai.
- What is the added value of using artificial intelligence in a joint project with quantum technology?
"Our goal is to bring academia’s work on artificial intelligence in line with business needs. InfinityQ offers an innovative solution that provides tenfold computational gains in a rigorously controlled environment. The challenge is to make it more flexible through feature engineering and machine learning. We worked with InfinityQ to develop a solution that integrates directly with Explorai's customer needs. All while delivering fast, responsive and efficient use cases. Our collaboration allows us to create a strong synergy between two cutting-edge technologies to find their true utility in the business world, combining operational research and machine learning," explains Rémi Dion.
- At this moment, what benefits do you see from funding?
« As of now, we have two new technical hires at InfinityQ. The hires would not have been possible without this funding. It also allowed us to reach a new clientele with optimization problems in their operations similar to what had been developed. Finally, it allowed for a great collaboration with a company in artificial intelligence. We combined our efforts in these two cutting-edge fields so we could explore new avenues of business and technology development," says Aurélie Hélouis.
"The project is still in progress, so the benefits are coming gradually. But the first and most valued benefit I would mention, from Explorai's perspective, is the visibility that Prompt offers to the scientific and business communities. Also, Prompt's funding has allowed us to iterate and adjust our initial strategy by prioritizing feedback from our partners rather than commercialization. We are now better able to meet the requirements and expectations of the industry we’re targeting," concludes Rémi Dion.
