Delving into quantum applications with BQP founder/CEO Abhishek Chopra.

Published by Armory Square Ventures,
Jan 25, 2025
Fresh off announcing our Seed investment in BQP, an Upstate NY-based startup leveraging quantum-inspired algorithms to accelerate engineering simulations for mission-critical industries, ASV associate Preston DeGarmo sat down with BQP CEO Abhishek Chopra to explore the key drivers behind quantum computing and dig into the real-world applications.
Preston DeGarmo: First off, would love to hear about the original inspiration behind BQP. Was this a light bulb moment, or a gradual iterative process?
Abhishek Chopra: I’d definitely say it was gradual. I’ve been passionate about computational fluid dynamics since high school. I came to the U.S. to pursue it, working in various research labs at Rutgers, Purdue, and even in Denmark, testing aircrafts, wind turbines, and more. Eventually, I started a direct PhD at RPI, focusing on developing large-scale simulation codes.
A pivotal moment came when RPI’s supercomputer—where my codes ran—was decommissioned. The new cluster was 97% GPU-powered, but my CPU-based Fortran codes couldn’t run efficiently on it. This challenge led me to explore how to accelerate simulations on GPUs. I participated in a hackathon with Oak Ridge National Lab and Nvidia, porting my code to GPUs. While successful in theory, the performance improvements were marginal due to algorithmic bottlenecks. This failure sparked a deeper exploration into fundamental algorithmic changes.
Around this time, I brainstormed with my best friend from Rutgers, Rut Lineswala (CTO), who had similar experiences working on supersonic flows at the U.S. Air Force. Together, we explored quantum computing as a solution. Merging quantum computing with my focus on fluid dynamics led to the foundation of BQP, with quantum turbulence being a key area of excitement since 2018.
PD: Where did your co-founders come into the picture, and what strengths do they bring to BQP?
AC: I have two co-founders. Rut, as I mentioned, has been my best friend since Rutgers. We’ve worked on numerous projects together, often brainstorming solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations over dinner. Starting a computational fluid dynamics company with him was a no-brainer.
My second co-founder, Jash Minocha (COO), is my cousin. He’s been instrumental with his startup expertise, having built one of the largest blockchain incubators in Western Europe. His background in operations, finance, and quantitative methods made him a perfect match. The shared trust and complementary skills between us have been foundational to BQP.
PD: For many folks, quantum computing is still a mysterious concept - borderline science fiction. Could you explain the key differences between classical and quantum computing and their implications for end-users?
AC: Absolutely. Classical computing is deterministic— 1 + 1 always equals 2. Quantum computing, however, works probabilistically, where 1 + 1 has the highest probability of equaling 2 but can vary. This difference is rooted in quantum mechanics utilizing qubits and complex numbers instead of traditional bits.
A common misconception is that quantum computing is just about the hardware. A fundamental component is quantum information science, which defines the math behind the physics. At BQP, for instance, we use quantum-inspired algorithms on classical systems, delivering immediate value without waiting for fully developed quantum hardware.
Quantum computing excels in solving NP-hard problems like optimization and cryptography. It’s also powerful in areas like linear algebra, which has applications in computational fluid dynamics, material discovery, and finance. However, quantum computing is not a universal replacement—it complements CPUs and GPUs within a tech stack.
PD: With increasing attention on quantum computing, like China’s use of quantum encryption in satellite communication, how close are we to broader adoption? Do you foresee quantum computing going mainstream, or will its error-prone, environmentally-sensitive nature limit its use cases to more niche applications?
AC: I don’t foresee it ever being used for general tasks like web browsing. Quantum computing is resource-intensive and suited for high-demand problems. That said, industries like AI, material science, and weather forecasting stand to benefit tremendously. Quantum will likely become another tool in the tech stack, much like GPUs, addressing specific computational bottlenecks.
The focus shouldn’t be on when quantum computers arrive, but rather on how to effectively use them. The software and algorithms are still catching up. Breakthroughs like Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms are decades old, and scaling quantum systems remains a challenge. Progress will also depend on multi-modality within quantum computing—combining different quantum systems, like superconducting qubits and photonic qubits, to optimize for speed and accuracy. This approach will likely shape the future of quantum computing.
PD: Given that these breakthroughs have been around for decades, what makes BQP novel in the landscape of quantum-inspired algorithms?
AC: Our differentiation lies in applying quantum-inspired algorithms to real-world problems in aerospace and defense, among other mission-critical industries. While these algorithms have existed academically, few have implemented them on supercomputers for practical use.
We focus on delivering a scalable platform, not just services. Our vision is to be the BlackRock of the simulation world—a backend platform powering critical computations. Unlike traditional simulation companies, we’re pushing boundaries with faster, more accurate simulations tailored to industries where engineering bottlenecks hinder innovation.
PD: Prior to BQP, what has been the typical workaround for engineers facing computational bottlenecks?
AC: Engineers often simplify problems to bypass computational limits, but this leads to suboptimal results. With increasingly complex systems—from supersonic aircraft to electric vehicles—these shortcuts are no longer viable. Outdated simulation tools exacerbate the problem, delaying innovation and increasing costs.
BQP aims to address this by accelerating simulations, enabling more accurate and efficient engineering processes. For instance, our solutions can reduce product development cycles, critical for industries like aerospace and defense, where delays can have significant downstream impacts.
PD: How did you come up with the name Boson Q Psi? It sounds like the rare fraternity I’d actually want to be a part of.
AC: We’re actually rebranding to simplify it—BQP. But the original name, Boson Q Psi, has three elements. “Boson” honors Dr. Satyendra Bose, an Indian physicist who worked with Einstein on Bose-Einstein condensates. It reflects our heritage and commitment to fundamental breakthroughs. “Q” stands for quantum, highlighting our focus, and “Psi” represents simulation and the partial differential equations central to quantum mechanics.
Now, we’re collapsing the name to BQP. In quantum computing, BQP refers to problems that quantum systems can solve faster than classical systems. It’s succinct and captures the essence of what we’re building.
PD: Quantum physics has also entered mainstream literature recently, largely by way of popular science writers like Carlo Rovelli. Speaking of your Indian heritage, many writers have expounded on the parallels between quantum mechanics and Eastern philosophy. Does spirituality factor into your work in the quantum realm?
AC: That’s a topic that I can go on for hours about. I’m a spiritual person and that’s what keeps me going as a founder. Concepts like quantum superposition (being in multiple states simultaneously) or entanglement (something that happens in one place affecting another) very much resonate with ideas you learn about growing up in Indian society, in an Indian household.
It gives me confidence that perhaps our ancestors were much more advanced than we give them credit for, and that we’re rediscovering some of that knowledge now. But this is a topic for a longer coffee chat!
PD: Perfect, we’ll save that for another time. Lastly, who has inspired you most on your journey—an entrepreneur, artist, or influential figure?
AC: Early on, Robin Sharma’s The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari had a big impact on me. It taught me to believe in myself and strive for goals beyond what seems possible. That mindset has shaped much of my journey, including starting BQP.
I’ve also been fortunate to have incredible mentors who inspire me daily. I’m constantly learning from the amazing people I meet, and they drive me to grow as a founder and leader.
Link to original article:https://armorysv.substack.com/p/navigating-the-quantum-frontier-a
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