SQC’s quantum-enhanced AI chip Watermelon™ recognized for its ability to make classical models faster, more efficient and less resource-intensive
SYDNEY, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), a pioneer in quantum computing and atomic-precision manufacturing, today announced that its quantum-enhanced AI system, Watermelon™, has been named to Fast Company’s 2026 Next Big Things in Tech list. The annual list recognizes breakthrough technologies with the potential to transform industries and shape the future.
A digital render of SQC’s Watermelon system.
Fast Company recognized Watermelon in the Computing, Chips, and Foundational Technology category for its breakthrough approach to quantum-classical computing. Launched in October 2025, Watermelon is the world’s first commercial quantum reservoir computer, leveraging SQC’s atomic manufacturing capabilities. The system generates quantum-enhanced features from classical data to uncover complex relationships in sparse and time-series datasets, and can also be used as an offload resource to train AI models more efficiently.
Watermelon is built for global enterprises where AI training costs, energy consumption and time-to-insight directly affect operational outcomes. In commercial trials Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, Watermelon reduced the training time of a predictive network model from weeks to days. More recently, results with Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, showed Watermelon improved the accuracy of home energy forecasting models by up to 41% against the classical benchmark.
“We’re honored to receive this recognition, which reflects more than two decades of excellence in atomic-precision hardware engineering,” said Michelle Simmons, Founder & CEO of Silicon Quantum Computing. “Today’s performance edge will become a structural shift in how organizations approach AI: moving workloads away from energy-intensive GPUs toward quantum-classical systems that can deliver better results with fewer resources.”
Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech recognizes innovative technologies developed by established companies, startups and research teams that are making meaningful progress toward transforming the lives of consumers, businesses and society. This year’s honorees span industries, with each innovation demonstrating the potential to create significant impact in the years ahead.
“The most exciting technology innovations are the ones that move beyond promise to demonstrate real potential for impact,” said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “The companies and teams recognized on this year’s list are tackling ambitious problems with new ideas, products, and approaches that have the potential to fundamentally shape the years ahead.”
For more information or to view the complete Fast Company 2026 Next Big Things in Tech list, visit here.
About Silicon Quantum Computing
Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) is at the forefront of global efforts to deliver a commercial-scale quantum system. Backed by 25 years of technological leadership, SQC holds a singular advantage: exclusive capability to manufacture silicon chips with atomic precision, enabling quantum computing systems with world-leading algorithmic fidelity. With in-house QPU manufacturing, SQC iterates new chips weekly while delivering quantum-enhanced AI and materials simulation systems to customers today. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
For more information, visit www.sqc.com or follow SQC on LinkedIn.
About Fast Company
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com.