Quantum Computing Startups and Ventures

Open Quantum Design Unveils World’s First Open-Source Trapped-Ion Quantum Computer Democratizing Quantum Computing The Waterloo-based non-profit organization Open Quantum Design (OQD) has unveiled the world’s first open-source, full-stack trapped-ion quantum computer. This ambitious project aims to democratize access to quantum computing, providing researchers, developers, and institutions worldwide with free access to both hardware and software. OQD’s efforts have attracted significant industry partners, including: • Xanadu (a leader in photonic quantum computing), • University of Waterloo (a global hub for quantum research), • Unitary Fund (a quantum computing research foundation), and • Haiqu (a quantum software company). By making its quantum technology fully open-source, OQD enables greater collaboration, innovation, and education in the quantum ecosystem. Why Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing? Unlike superconducting qubits, trapped-ion quantum computers use charged atoms manipulated by electromagnetic fields. This approach offers several advantages: • High fidelity: Fewer errors compared to superconducting qubits. • Scalability: Trapped-ion systems can maintain coherence for longer durations. • Programmability: These quantum processors support a broad range of quantum algorithms. What Open Quantum Design Offers • Open-Source Quantum Hardware: Full access to technical designs of trapped-ion processors. • Quantum Software Stack: Freely available programming tools and frameworks. • Educational Resources: Tutorials and documentation to help researchers and developers engage with quantum computing. Final Thoughts: A Quantum Leap for Open-Source Computing By launching the first fully open-source trapped-ion quantum computer, OQD is taking a bold step toward democratizing quantum computing. This initiative could accelerate scientific breakthroughs, lower entry barriers, and foster global collaboration in the quantum space.

The $1B hangover is real. After Q1's capital binge - where just three deals (Alice & Bob €100M, Quantum Machines $170M, QuEra Computing Inc. $230M) accounted for half a billion - the market sobered up fast in Q2. New rounds average just $34.5M. But here's the twist: smaller checks are funding more diverse and immediately profitable ideas.   The most fascinating pattern? The variety of topics in quantum this quarter: ◽ Quantum dots for cosmetics (@Quantum Light) ◽Quantum sensors for medical diagnostics (QSENSATO SRL) ◽Quantum random numbers for Bitcoin protection (Project Eleven) ◽Quantum testing equipment that works on classical principles (Orange Quantum Systems QS) and others...   The "Nvidia Strategy" emerges. Orange Quantum Systems isn't building quantum computers - they're selling picks and shovels to everyone who is. Their testing equipment infrastructure positioning attracted an oversubscribed round because investors finally understand: in a platform war, be the enabler, not a contestant. And this is not the first company pursuing an approach of enabling the whole field of quantum tech.   The market splits into believers and pragmatists. Investors now distinguish between two quantum markets: ☑️ The pragmatic plays: companies with revenues and products (mostly PQC, sensors, quantum enablers, advanced manufacturing) - these follow traditional metrics 🚀 The moonshots: Still funded but with different expectations - the long-term bet on transformative potential (mostly quantum computing hardware and software; not midstack) This bifurcation is healthy. It shows quantum maturing from monolithic hype to nuanced subsectors, each with appropriate risk-return profiles.   The race for "Quantum Valley" remains wide open. Q1's winners clustered in traditional hubs. Today's deals reveal a fragmented battlefield: 🇳🇱 Netherlands positioning as the testing/infrastructure hub (QuantWare) 🇫🇷 France betting on manufacturing sovereignty (Quobly) 🇮🇳 India going all-in on quantum security (QNu Labs) 🇮🇹 Italy birthing quantum sensing startups Every region wants the "Quantum Valley" crown, but the distributed innovation suggests no single winner will emerge - instead, specialized clusters for different quantum verticals.   The Bitcoin catalyst. Project Eleven's $6M raise reveals crypto's quantum paranoia: $600B in vulnerable Bitcoin just created an instant market for quantum defense. Other notable rounds include: Infleqtion, Classiq, Sparrow Quantum.   The real story: After Q1's euphoria, #quantum discovered it doesn't need to wait until 2035 to make #money. The market now funds visionary #moonshots AND pragmatic #revenue generators - and knows the difference. This isn't retreat; it's #evolution. #QuantumIsComing Global Quantum Intelligence, LLC 🔹Quantumweek for Investors #19 - The Pragmatic Pivot (1/3) - Private capital focus 🔹 Link to the full newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gsw5Wq_a

Quantum funding just took a leap! But funding never tells the whole story… Quantum tech funding is already at record levels, reaching $2.2B within the first two quarters of 2025. A 69% increase from the full year 2024. Major quantum breakthroughs from Microsoft, Google, and IBM are translating into investor confidence. As big tech leaders make big progress, the demand for private companies continues to ramp. But it’s not just the funding amounts. When you look at our Mosaic scores – rigorous data science that predicts success –  it’s clear that a new class of private quantum companies is building real momentum. Notable companies, including their Mosaic score (higher is better) and fundings: 1) Q-CTRL (Mosaic 903) has raised $132.2M for quantum control software 2) SandboxAQ (Mosaic 861) has raised $950.2M for AI and quantum computing for enterprise 3) PsiQuantum (Mosaic 852) has raised $2.1B for photonic quantum computers 4) QuEra Computing Inc. Computing (Mosaic 848) has raised $247M for neutral-atom quantum processors 5) Alice & Bob (Mosaic 845) has raised $155.3M for universal quantum computers with error correction 6) Classiq (Mosaic 845) has raised $189M for quantum software development platform 7) Multiverse Computing (Mosaic 814) has raised $339.9M for quantum AI optimization across sectors The quantum sector's strong fundamentals – growing government support, increasing enterprise interest, strong partnership activity, improving management team quality, and significant technical progress – are creating a favorable environment that boosts Mosaic scores for these well-positioned companies. It’s not just VCs driving this investment surge. Corporates and governments are in there, too. → Government backing is serious: $1.8B in public funding globally, with Australia committing $620M to PsiQuantum and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) pledging $200M for industrial quantum feasibility. → Corporate strategic positioning: Nearly 40% of Fortune 500 companies are now investing in quantum startups to secure first-mover advantages. We're likely years away from fault-tolerant quantum computers (industry consensus: 2030 at earliest), but the foundation is being laid. As quantum moves from "interesting science project" to "strategic imperative," early investors and partners will have significant advantages when practical quantum arrives. *Data from CB Insights' State of Venture Q2’25 report. Explore the latest data on what happened last quarter across the startup ecosystem at the link in the comments.

Quantum computing is no longer speculative—it’s becoming an investment priority. In 2023, European quantum startups outpaced North America, raising $781 million (three times the $240 million raised in the US). Globally, quantum startups raised $2.2 billion, a massive jump from $522 million in 2019. This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Governments are fueling the momentum. The UK has committed $4.3 billion to quantum technologies, while Germany has pledged $3.7 billion. At the same time, VC interest is holding steady, even as funding dries up in other tech sectors.   Quantum technology will have a wide-reaching impact, from cybersecurity and financial modeling to drug discovery and materials science. Pharma will likely see the earliest impact (drug development and molecular simulations using quantum).   In 2022, Finnish startup Algorithmiq raised $4 million for quantum-powered drug discovery, while Paris-based Qubit Pharmaceuticals secured $17 million for molecular simulations. Another European company, Terra Quantum AG, based in Switzerland, raised $75 million to scale its quantum-as-a-service model, which has direct applications in pharma and beyond.   Big Tech is also all-in. Google, IBM, Intel Corporation, and NVIDIA are pouring resources into quantum hardware and software. Meanwhile, publicly traded quantum companies have seen their stocks surge, signaling growing institutional confidence.   At APEX Ventures, we invest in revolutionary quantum startups. We are partnered with kiutra, enabling the second quantum revolution with easy-to-use and sustainable cryogenics, and planqc, building quantum computers that store information in individual atoms.   For founders and investors, the question isn’t whether quantum will matter—it’s when. The trajectory is clear: capital is flowing, enterprise adoption is accelerating, and governments are fully committed. If AI dominated the last decade, quantum may own the next.   #Venturecapital #AI #Deeptech #Startups  Follow us at APEX Ventures and subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content on groundbreaking Deep Tech startups:   🔗 https://t2m.io/EV2qHQuo