India eyes world quantum pc push — and QpiAI is its chosen automobile

QpiAI, an Indian startup that claims to combine AI and quantum computing for enterprise use instances, has raised $32 million in a brand new funding spherical co-led by the Indian authorities as the corporate goals to broaden its presence and develop utility-scale quantum computer systems for markets world wide.

The Indian authorities’s $750 million Nationwide Quantum Mission has co-led QpiAI’s all-equity Collection A spherical, alongside Avataar Ventures, at a post-money valuation of $162 million.

The funding displays India’s broader push to ascertain itself as a quantum computing energy. Launched in 2023, the Nationwide Quantum Mission is an Indian authorities initiative that views quantum computing as each an financial alternative and a nationwide safety crucial. This system goals to assist develop intermediate-scale quantum computer systems with 50–1,000 bodily qubits inside 8 years throughout platforms together with superconducting and photonics. It additionally targets the event of satellite-based quantum communications, inter-city quantum distribution, multi-node quantum networks, magnetometers, and the design and synthesis of quantum supplies, together with superconductors, semiconductor buildings, and topological supplies for quantum machine fabrication.

QpiAI is one among eight startups chosen by the Nationwide Quantum Mission, every receiving an preliminary grant of as much as $3.5 million. Amongst these firms, the Bengaluru-headquartered startup, which has subsidiaries within the U.S. and Finland, says it has constructed India’s first full-stack quantum pc, known as QpiAI-Indus, which it launched in April with 25 superconducting qubits.

Based in 2019, QpiAI says it integrates quantum computing and AI to supply optimization capabilities in areas comparable to manufacturing, industrial, transportation, finance, pharma, and supplies. The startup says it has developed specialised software program, together with its proprietary {hardware}, to assist real-world quantum purposes in fields comparable to supplies science and drug discovery.

“Quantum can actually ensure that AI is powerful,” mentioned QpiAI founder and CEO Nagendra Nagaraja in an interview.

The startup views simulation, drug synthesis, and materials discovery as a few of the key use instances the place the mix of AI and quantum may present a aggressive edge.

“As a result of the design area of a quantum chip may be very, very huge, and to really get optimum qubits, which is necessary after we combine 1000’s of qubits to get logical qubits for error correction, AI performs a much bigger function there,” Nagaraja informed TechCrunch.

QpiAI plans to launch its 64-qubit quantum pc in November, with availability to prospects anticipated by the second or third quarter of subsequent 12 months, Nagaraja mentioned.

The corporate can be working to begin manufacturing its quantum {hardware} regionally in 2026. Presently, it assembles 80% of its machines in-house.

QpiAI employs a 100-person crew, comprising 25 PhDs from worldwide establishments or from Indian institutes. About 50 of its workers are based mostly in India. The corporate says it has round 20 prospects in India and the U.S., together with the Indian authorities, which makes use of its infrastructure to check algorithms.

In keeping with the corporate, QpiAI has been worthwhile at EBITDA degree for the previous three years, with roughly 60% gross margins and 20% to 30% internet margins, Nagaraja informed TechCrunch.

With the recent funding, QpiAI plans to enter new markets together with Singapore and the Center East. It additionally goals to allocate funds for its native manufacturing plans and scale its operations to develop a 100-logical qubit system by 2030.

In June of final 12 months, QpiAI raised $6.5 million in a pre-Collection A spherical led by Yournest and SVCL at a post-money valuation of round $30 million.

Nagaraja informed TechCrunch that QpiAI has a three- to four-year runway, even with out accounting for its profitability. He additionally mentioned the startup is contemplating an preliminary public providing in both 2026 or 2027.

The Nationwide Quantum Mission’s assist extends past QpiAI. The Indian authorities’s program can be backing startups comparable to QNuLabs (engaged on quantum-safe networks), Dimira Applied sciences (cryogenic cables), Prenishq (diode-laser programs), and QuPrayog (optical atomic clocks). It has additionally supported Quanastra (cryogenic programs and superconducting detectors), Pristine Diamonds (diamond-based sensing supplies), and Quan2D Applied sciences (single-photon detectors for quantum communication).

“We plan to proceed to assist home-grown product firms like QpiAI to assist them broaden into massive enterprises and place India as world leaders in quantum applied sciences,” mentioned Ajai Chowdhry, chairman of India’s Nationwide Quantum Mission, in a ready assertion.