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EngineeringROI AnalysisJanuary 12, 20268 min read

From 100 to 17: How Extreme Sample Efficiency is Redefining Quantum ROI

As quantum hardware time remains a premium resource, the metric for success is shifting from "raw qubits" to "resource efficiency."

SoftQuantus Research Team

Quantum Performance Engineering

80-300

Standard Evaluations

Traditional methods

17

QCOS Evaluations

Record efficiency

80%

Reduction

Operational overhead

5x

Cost Savings

Per optimization cycle

The Efficiency Revolution

Traditional methods for verifying quantum states, such as Bell state preparation, often require 80 to 300 evaluations. SoftQuantus QCOS has demonstrated the ability to achieve high-fidelity results in just 17 evaluations, representing an 80% reduction in operational overhead.

The Cost Challenge

Cloud-based quantum computing operates on a pay-per-use model where every circuit execution costs money. For enterprises exploring quantum solutions, the mathematics is straightforward:

Traditional Approach

200 evaluations × $0.50/eval
= $100 per optimization

QCOS Approach

17 evaluations × $0.50/eval
= $8.50 per optimization

At scale, this difference becomes transformative. An organization running 1,000 optimization cycles per month would see annual costs drop from $1.2M to $102K — enabling previously uneconomical quantum experiments.

Key Findings

1

Cost Reduction

Lowering the number of evaluations directly reduces the "bill shock" associated with cloud-based quantum execution, making quantum computing accessible for more use cases.

2

Green Quantum Initiatives

Reducing compute time aligns with European "Green Deal" mandates for sustainable and energy-efficient digital infrastructure.

3

Increased Throughput

Higher efficiency allows organizations to run more experiments in the same hardware window, accelerating the time-to-market for quantum-ready algorithms.

4

Predictive Optimization

QCOS uses noise-aware mapping to ensure that even with fewer samples, the probability of a successful result is maximized.

European Market Context

The European quantum computing market is projected to grow significantly through 2032, with a particular emphasis on sustainable computing practices. QCOS's sample efficiency directly supports two key European priorities:

Green Deal Alignment

Less compute time means lower energy consumption per quantum operation, supporting Europe's sustainability mandates.

Competitive Advantage

European enterprises can achieve quantum results at a fraction of the cost, accelerating time-to-value.

How QCOS Achieves This

The QCOS Autopilot uses several proprietary techniques to minimize hardware evaluations:

  • Noise-aware parameter initialization — Start closer to optimal solutions
  • Adaptive shot allocation — Use more measurements only when needed
  • Gradient-free optimization — Avoid costly gradient estimation loops
  • Early stopping criteria — Detect convergence before overshooting

Practical Takeaways

For CFOs

View sample efficiency as a direct lever for ROI, not just a technical benchmark. The 80% reduction in evaluations translates directly to 80% cost savings per experiment.

For Developers

Leverage QCOS to run complex circuits on NISQ hardware that would otherwise be too noisy or expensive. Efficiency unlocks new algorithmic possibilities.

References

  • 1.Fortune Business Insights. (2025). Europe Quantum Computing Market Size & Analysis, 2032.
  • 2.StartUs Insights. (2026). Quantum Computing Outlook 2026.
  • 3.European Commission. (2025). Quantum Europe Strategy — Green Deal Alignment.
  • 4.SoftQuantus. (2025). QCOS Autopilot Bell State Benchmark Report.

Ready to maximize your quantum ROI?

See how QCOS Autopilot can reduce your quantum computing costs by up to 80%.