MR. BHAGVAN KOMMADI: EVANGELIZING INDIAN-MADE QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY ACROSS THE GLOBE

Since the last few years, every economy – small, big, or developing – has been making technological advances. And our beloved Mother India isn’t left behind. It has made remarkable breakthroughs in cloud computing, automation and robotics, cognitive computing, IoT, AI, and AR/VR. By integrating these soft tools with digital hardware, our IT sector is building products to predict customer/audience behavior with precision. The next technological landmark in India is quantum computing. In 2020, the Indian government invested INR 8,000 Cr in the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications. Many private entities are making strides because of this funding and infrastructural support.

Quantica Computacao is a rising highflyer in this pantheon. It specializes in quantum computer software tools, algorithms, and components. The Chennai-based startup is building quantum cryptography solutions for quantum-proof data protection, as well as quantum ML & AI, to unfold the underlying potential of quantum technology. The company is also working on algorithms to address real-time computing and data analytics issues.

In the following piece, we are putting the spotlight on Mr. Bhagvan Kommadi, the technologist and curator of the firm. With his brilliant startup, he is unearthing long-term prospects in the nascent quantum computing field.

A TECHNOLOGIST WITH MANY HATS

Mr. Kommadi is an IT virtuoso with over 20 years of national and international experience. He has served US-based tech magnate Virtusa for a decade and various Fortune 100 companies. Over the years, he has ideated novel concepts in exponential technologies such as AI, robotics, nanotechnologies, and quantum computing to improve the consumer experience. Even during periods of instability and transition, he has handled infrastructure projects with exceptional teamwork. He has worked for both consulting and product companies and founded startups. Also, He is a member of a Quantum Computing Think Tank and the Rapporteur for the Smart Cities Working Group (SCWG).

After a ten-year sojourn in the USA, he returned to India to be closer to his family and culture, as well as contribute to his motherland. Since then, he has been offering free mentorship sessions in schools and universities across the country. In addition, he mentors NASSCOM 10k Startups through Ask Mentor. Mr. Kommadi also took part in the ‘Teach For Change’ campaign and the ‘Safe Cities’ initiative In Hyderabad, which focused on women’s security using mobile apps. He is a man who approaches all situations with optimism, to contribute to a more robust and self-sufficient India. In recognition of his work, he was conferred with ‘Indian Achiever’s Award in 2021’. He has evangelized quantum computing, writing books, presenting podcasts, speaking at conferences, and writing blogs. He is a member of Forbes Tech Council and a Tedx Speaker. He recently wrote “Quantum Computing Solutions: Real World Algorithms,” a book on quantum computing.

SHAPING HIS ENTRANCING STARTUP

Mr. Kommadi is a startup mentor at IIT Chennai. In one of his sessions, he was mentoring a batch on the Quantum Virtual Machine — a simulator idea. Two IIT Ph.D. students had a keen interest in the simulator. They further proposed ideas of quantum simulators and algorithms that can bridge the gap between quantum machines and commercial demands. Realizing the prospects, Mr. Kommadi built a business around it, laying the groundwork of Quantica Computacao. The team started developing Python, JavaScript, and C++-based simulators that can be executed on IBM, Google, and Rigetti Cloud environments. “Our efforts focused on developing generalized applications which compile on top of multiple quantum micro-architectures,” explains Mr. Kommadi.

Initially, the firm sought to create a quantum computing simulator for banking and financial services. Soon, they were approached by JPMC and GMO, and they realized how quantum algorithms could be a game-changer for financial institutions. Building upon this idea, Quantica aims to develop algorithms and software for advanced quantum cryptography. And partner with at least 10 financial institutions by the end of 2022. In addition, they are approached by WABCO for their solutions for strategic optimization. Rwanda’s government has shown its interest in creating a COE in quantum computing in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University. They have launched an open-source project on Monte Carlo simulations for financial intricacies. They’re working on quantum cryptographic algorithms with the PM’s Office. They are also collaborating with NSI to use Quantum AI and NLP to extract business knowledge.

The firm is developing India’s own Quantum Cloud Services and Quantum Network. But the challenge is the availability of infrastructure and expertise. Also, there are well-funded startups like Righetti, 1Qbit, etc. With a vision of helping the nation take a big step toward the quantum revolution, Quantica seeks to collaborate with them. Mr. Kommadi believes it’s a great opportunity for these players to use the expertise of the Indian scientific community through these collaborations. He states that, “We are not staging a competition but a collaboration to create a fruitful future together.” 

MALLEABLE TO THE MARKET INTRICACIES

As a market trendsetter, Quantica is well-founded with how the world is reacting to quantum computing. Long story short, it’s everyone’s prized procession. Everyone is pursuing quantum development, be it financial institutions such as Barclays and Goldman Sachs or aerospace heavyweights like Airbus and Lockheed Martin. The US Navy is planning algorithms for data storage and energy-efficient data retrieval using underwater autonomous robots. And NASA is investigating uses in communications, distributed navigation, and system diagnostics. If that isn’t enough, Life science companies are looking for ways to use quantum computing in personalized medicine, drug discovery, and other areas.

However, Quantica isn’t left behind; it’s well-aware of the market and its associated challenges. It is expanding its quantum cryptography solutions for financial institutions and quantum computing for the materials and drug research industries. It operates on a B2B basis, with solutions designed to safeguard clients from data breaches while maximizing their computing capabilities. 

Quantica is dedicated to a purpose, which helps it work its way around with what’s in hand. In this growing age of information and data, there will be a time when the country faces cryptographic challenges, especially when quantum technology is available. To ensure India doesn’t need hefty imports, the firm is developing in-house technologies that can benefit customers and society. While it’s concentrating on urgent issues such as encryption and quantum chemistry, it’s also working on a simulator that uses existing computing gear to emulate the developed quantum software and inspire future developments.

THE INHERENT R&D EFFORTS

Quantica, which focuses on the niche and futuristic market, emphasizes R&D in everything it does. It is exploring virtual simulators, emulators, post-quantum cryptography algorithms, machine learning, and Monte Carlo quantum systems. The technological stack exposes web application and web service APIs for the construction of unique solutions in financial technology and other verticals. But, of all the developments, Alchemy, its quantum computing simulator, is its crowning jewel. In simple words, it’s a virtual platform working with a computer to simulate various quantum algorithms. The simulator is programmed in multiple languages such as JavaScript, Python, C, and C++. This aids in designing, developing, and debugging quantum-specific algorithms. With a graphical user interface, it simplifies the process of quantum logic synthesis. Conferring its development, Mr. Kommadi says, “Very few companies in India are in this space. I feel that Quantica will be the first in quantum technology with customers using these computing algorithms.”

THE BRAINS BEHIND THE INNOVATION   

No great vision can see the light without a great team, and Quantica has an exponential one! It works with strong academicians and domain experts. Along with Mr. Kommadi, the firm was founded by Sudin Baraokar and Harsh Patel. The trio embarked on this journey with one goal in mind: to bring a quantum revolution to India and create an open-source simulator for eager coders to use. Fortunately, the purpose inspired many young minds and gave Quantica a team of PAN-IITs passionate about creating a difference. The team also includes academicians, Prof. PanduRanga Rao from IIT Hyderabad, and Arun Kumar Pati from Harish Chandra Research Institute. Altogether, they are working to change the computing paradigm and enable India to have its quantum computer and cloud in this decade.

MANY NOTCHES IN ITS BELT

In the last 15 months, Quantica has not only surmounted a novel pandemic and other challenges, but has earned many laurels. A few of the notable mentions include:

• Best Quantum AI Development Company – South Asia: 2019 Artificial Intelligence Awards, Wealth & Finance
• Quantica Computacao is part of the AWS Activate program now
• Quantica Computacao in COE DSAI Virtual Acceleration Program
• NASSCOM has partnered with Quantica Computacao to accelerate AI
• ecosystem
• Markets and Markets have positioned Quantica Computacao in the ‘Emerging Companies’ section of micro-quadrant

It hasn’t been easy by a long shot, especially assembling a team of R&D experts amid the new normal, which is why it’s working with interns. Recently, the firm was accepted by NIRMAAN, pre-incubation cell, IITMadras for preSEED funding. Mr. Kommadi was invited to contribute his vision of preparing the roadmap for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Quantica plans to further its boundaries in the future by including AI, ML, deep learning, NLP, blockchain, and post-quantum cryptography into its technology. This will allow its customers to execute algorithms at 6 to 8 times the speed of a traditional computer.

A MEMENTO FOR THE READERS 

“Avoid having fear of failure. Where there is a will, there is a way.  Having a passionate technological idea without a business plan should not demotivate you. Try working with customers evangelizing technology, business starts adopting the tech to realize business value.” – Mr. Bhagvan Kommadi

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