Classiq is a company that provides a software platform for quantum computers, simplifying the development of quantum algorithms. It does this by transforming high-level functional models into optimized quantum circuits, enabling developers to create and deploy sophisticated quantum applications without deep quantum expertise. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Classiq co-founder and CEO Nir Minerbi to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Nir Minerbi’s Background
What is Nir Minerbi’s background? Minerbi said:
“I come from a background that combines deep science with national-scale innovation. I earned a Master’s in Physics and graduated from Israel’s elite Talpiot program—an initiative designed to foster technological leadership at the intersection of science, engineering and national service. Throughout my career, I’ve led advanced R&D programs and multidisciplinary teams tackling highly complex technological challenges. That foundation ultimately led me to co-found Classiq, where we are redefining the future of quantum computing software.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Minerbi shared:
“The idea for Classiq emerged from a realization shared by myself and my co-founders, Dr. Yehuda Naveh and Amir Naveh, that the quantum software stack was missing a critical layer. While hardware was progressing rapidly, software remained stuck in a low-level gate paradigm, reminiscent of the punch-card era in classical computing. We saw the opportunity and the necessity for abstraction and automation. Just as Electronic Design Automation (EDA) transformed the semiconductor industry, we believed quantum needed its equivalent. That vision became the foundation for Classiq.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Minerbi reflected:
“There have been many highlights, but what stands out are the moments when customers—ranging from top-tier banks to aerospace giants—tell us, ‘We couldn’t have built this quantum solution without Classiq.’ Seeing our technology unlock applications that were previously infeasible is incredibly rewarding. It affirms that we’re not just building tools; we’re enabling progress.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Minerbi explained:
“Classiq offers a full-stack quantum software platform designed to empower users at every level, from algorithm designers to enterprise developers. Our core technology includes:
— QMOD: A high-level quantum modeling language that abstracts away gate-level complexity.
— Synthesis Engine: Automatically compiles functional-level descriptions into optimized, hardware-aware quantum circuits.
— Classiq IDE & SDK: Tools for designing, debugging, analyzing and executing quantum programs across multiple hardware backends.
— Quantum Application Store (Q-Store): A growing repository of industry-specific applications, reusable functions and algorithm templates.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Minerbi and the team face in building the company? Minerbi acknowledged:
“Quantum computing as a whole faces two main challenges: hardware limitations and the skills gap. At Classiq, we’ve tackled these by building a platform that reduces the number of qubits required and supports hybrid classical-quantum workflows. We’ve also abstracted programming complexity, making it accessible to a broader range of scientists and engineers. Our compiler and memory recycling technology directly address circuit depth and qubit scarcity.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Minerbi noted:
“We started with the goal of automating quantum circuit design. Since then, we’ve grown into a comprehensive platform that handles not just design, but full program synthesis, optimization, hardware mapping, and execution. We’ve added features like advanced debugging, quantum/classical integration and scalable memory management. Classiq now supports the development of both NISQ and fault-tolerant quantum applications.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Minerbi cited:
“A few stand out:
— Collaborating and partnering with Microsoft, NVIDIA and AWS.
— Being chosen by Fortune 500 companies, including HSBC, BMW, Citi and Rolls-Royce for their quantum initiatives.
— Launching QMOD and our full-stack IDE.
— Building the largest open-source quantum algorithm library powered by a futureproof model-based programming approach.
— Our recent $110 million C-round with SoftBank as a strategic investor.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Minerbi about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“One of our clients in financial services used Classiq to develop a quantum circuit for portfolio optimization that was previously deemed impractical. Another, in aerospace, reduced their quantum circuit width by over 60% using our synthesis engine. Deloitte and Mitsubishi Chemical used Classiq to compress their quantum program by as much as 97%, enabling them to produce programs able to run on nearer-term quantum hardware.”
Funding
When asking Minerbi about the company’s funding details, he revealed:
“Classiq has raised $173 million to date from investors like Entree Capital, Hamilton Lane, Night Dragon, Team8, SoftBank, HPE, HSBC, Samsung Next and Intesa Sanpaolo’s NEVA. While we don’t disclose revenue figures publicly, we’ve grown to serve over 20 enterprise customers, and our recurring revenue from software licensing is scaling in line with growing adoption of quantum computing.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Minerbi assessed:
“We’re targeting the quantum software TAM, projected to surpass $20 billion in the 2030s. But we see this not just as a market opportunity, it’s about becoming the foundational layer for any enterprise looking to build or scale quantum capabilities.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Minerbi affirmed:
“Three things:
— Functional-level programming: Others still rely on manual or gate-level input; we abstract the entire design process.
— Hardware-agnostic synthesis: Our circuits are automatically optimized for any major quantum device.
— Scalability: Classiq is built for the future, including support for error-corrected quantum computing and complex, multi-module programs.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Minerbi emphasized:
“We’re focused on becoming the de facto quantum OS and development platform. Near-term, that means:
— Expanding our Q-Store with industry-specific solutions.
— Scaling developer adoption through integrations with major cloud and HPC providers.
— Supporting the next generation of error-corrected quantum systems with advanced compiler infrastructure.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you’d like to discuss? Minerbi concluded:
“Just this: we believe quantum computing is reaching a tipping point. But adoption will hinge not just on the power of the hardware, it will depend on the usability, automation and accessibility of the software. That’s the role Classiq is here to play. We’re proud to be shaping how enterprises and developers build quantum programs that solve real-world challenges. And we’re just getting started.”
