OptQC, a University of Tokyo startup developing a photonic quantum computer, announced that it had raised more than ¥20 billion within 2 years of founding. It has brought its MoQuren system into operation and aims to develop a compact design for data centers and begin offering cloud access by year-end.
OptQC, founded only 2 years ago, has raised more than ¥20 billion in total after entering into a capital and business alliance led by NTT and carrying out a ¥7 billion third-party allocation of shares. NTT, which led the transaction, handled negotiations on the investment terms, while Kyocera, Sumitomo Corporation's CVC and Mizuho Capital were among the subscribers.
The company grew out of the laboratory of Professor Akira Furusawa at the University of Tokyo and has accumulated many years of basic research into photonic quantum computers, which use photons to carry information. Unlike conventional systems requiring ultra-low-temperature enclosures, MoQuren's key strength is that it operates at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure.
In July this year, the company brought the MoQuren photonic quantum computer into operation and announced plans to offer it to companies and research institutions through the cloud by year-end. The second machine is scheduled to deliver 100 times the computing power, while work on the third machine has now begun with a view to bringing it into operation by the end of 2028.
The company has expanded its research and engineering workforce to approximately 60 people in total and aims to reach approximately 150 in 2 years. It is also working on a compact design for data centers, identifying substantial reductions in power consumption through data-center deployment as a future source of competitive advantage.