Q-CTRL, a developer of AI-powered quantum infrastructure software, has raised $290 million (A$415 million) in Series C funding led by Salesforce Ventures, with significant participation from Bullhound Capital and Affinity Partners. The oversubscribed financing establishes Q-CTRL as a new quantum technology unicorn and provides capital to accelerate the commercialization of its quantum computing and sensing technologies across data centers, aviation, autonomous systems, and other industries.
The Series C round was expanded twice to accommodate investor demand and represents what the company describes as the largest fundraising round for a software-focused business in the quantum sector.
The investment will support Q-CTRL’s global expansion, continued development of its AI-powered quantum infrastructure platform, and commercialization of technologies designed to make quantum systems more reliable in real-world environments.
New investors include Affinity Partners, AMD Ventures, EDGE Group, MPower Partners, Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, and SPARX Asset Management.
Returning investors include Alpha Edison, Alumni Ventures, Bullhound Capital, DCVC, In-Q-Tel, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Main Sequence, Ridgeline, Salesforce Ventures, Salus Ventures, and Square Peg.
The investor group brings together venture capital firms, strategic corporate investors, and institutions with experience across AI, aerospace, defense, semiconductors, and industrial technologies.
Combining Artificial Intelligence And Quantum Computing
Q-CTRL develops infrastructure software designed to improve the performance and reliability of quantum technologies.
Its platform uses AI-powered control techniques to address technical challenges that have historically limited the practical application of quantum computing and quantum sensing.
Quantum systems are highly sensitive to environmental interference, noise, and other sources of error.
These challenges can reduce the accuracy and reliability of quantum operations, making it difficult to achieve useful results outside carefully controlled laboratory environments.
Q-CTRL’s software is designed to mitigate these limitations through techniques that improve how quantum hardware operates.
The company takes a hardware-agnostic approach, allowing its technologies to work across different quantum computing and sensing platforms.
According to Q-CTRL, its software can increase the effective computational capabilities of quantum machines by thousands of times in certain applications.
The company’s strategy focuses on making existing and emerging quantum hardware more useful rather than developing competing quantum processors.
This approach positions Q-CTRL as a provider of infrastructure software that could support multiple participants across the quantum technology industry.
Salesforce Ventures Leads Major Quantum Investment
Salesforce Ventures led the financing based on Q-CTRL’s progress in turning quantum technology into practical commercial applications.
Robert Keith, Partner at Salesforce Ventures, highlighted the importance of software in enabling quantum computers to produce reliable, useful results.
He pointed to Q-CTRL’s work involving materials simulation on IBM quantum hardware as an example of commercially relevant progress.
The application is accessible through the IBM Quantum Platform, allowing developers to use the technology through an established quantum computing environment.
Keith also highlighted Q-CTRL’s development of a quantum navigation system that has achieved safety-of-flight qualification.
These achievements demonstrate the company’s focus on developing technologies that operate beyond research laboratories.
The investment reflects Salesforce Ventures’ belief that software infrastructure will play an important role in determining how quantum computing becomes integrated into enterprise data centers.
Q-CTRL intends to build on these capabilities as it expands partnerships with technology providers and commercial customers.
Ironstone Opal Enables GPS-Independent Navigation
One of Q-CTRL’s most important commercial products is Ironstone Opal, a quantum navigation system designed to function in environments where GPS signals are unavailable or disrupted.
The system uses quantum sensing technology to support navigation without depending on conventional satellite positioning signals.
Q-CTRL describes Ironstone Opal as unjammable, unspoofable, and undetectable, positioning the technology for applications requiring resilient navigation capabilities.
GPS disruptions can create significant operational challenges for aviation, autonomous vehicles, and other systems that depend on accurate location information.
Q-CTRL’s technology is intended to provide an alternative navigation capability in these environments.
The company says its proprietary software-ruggedization technology enables sensitive quantum sensors to perform in field conditions at levels 100 times better than the best alternative.
This performance improvement is designed to help quantum sensors operate despite environmental interference and movement.
Q-CTRL is deploying the technology in commercial aircraft and autonomous vehicles.
The company’s navigation capabilities are particularly relevant to aerospace and autonomous transportation applications where reliable positioning is essential.
Expanding Commercial Applications Across Industries
Q-CTRL plans to use the new funding to expand its technology into additional commercial markets.
The company sees opportunities in industries including finance, energy, aerospace, autonomous systems, and computing infrastructure.
In quantum computing, Q-CTRL is focused on helping enterprises access reliable computational capabilities through software infrastructure.
Its technology is designed to support the integration of quantum systems into data centers and other computing environments.
In quantum sensing, the company’s applications include navigation and related technologies requiring high-precision measurement capabilities.
Q-CTRL believes its software-first approach allows it to address multiple market opportunities using a common underlying technology platform.
The company also intends to support existing autonomy and aerospace programs while expanding into new customer relationships.
Its investor network could contribute to these efforts through commercial partnerships, technology integration, and joint sales opportunities.
Strategic Investors Support Global Expansion
The Series C financing attracted investors with interests spanning multiple technology and industrial sectors.
AMD Ventures’ participation adds a strategic investor associated with semiconductor and computing technologies.
Lockheed Martin Ventures and In-Q-Tel bring experience in defense and national security-related technologies.
EDGE Group’s participation further strengthens the investor group’s connections to advanced industrial and defense markets.
MPower Partners highlighted opportunities for Q-CTRL to expand in Japan, where industrial demand and government support are contributing to the development of the quantum technology ecosystem.
The firm sees potential applications across industrial resilience, navigation, and quantum-powered computing infrastructure.
Affinity Partners also expressed confidence in Q-CTRL’s ability to translate technical advances into commercial products.
Bullhound Capital, an existing investor, increased its support for the company.
Per Roman, Bullhound Capital Founding Partner and Q-CTRL board member, emphasized the company’s existing customer relationships and revenue generation.
Square Peg also renewed and expanded its investment, continuing a relationship that began in 2019.
The participation of both new and existing investors reflects confidence in Q-CTRL’s commercial development strategy.
Scaling AI-Powered Quantum Infrastructure
Q-CTRL intends to use the $290 million financing to accelerate global growth while strengthening its position at the intersection of AI and quantum technologies.
The company plans to expand its software infrastructure capabilities and increase deployment of its quantum computing and sensing products.
Its strategy emphasizes practical commercial applications that can deliver measurable value to customers.
The funding will also support continued work on major aviation and autonomous systems programs.
Q-CTRL believes that reliable infrastructure software will be essential to making quantum technology commercially viable across a wide range of industries.
As quantum hardware development progresses, organizations will require technologies capable of improving performance, reducing errors, and supporting deployment in real-world environments.
Q-CTRL aims to address these requirements through its AI-powered software platform.
With $290 million in new financing, a unicorn valuation, and commercial deployments spanning quantum computing and GPS-independent navigation, Q-CTRL is positioning itself to support the next phase of quantum technology adoption.
KEY QUOTES
“The investor syndicate we’ve assembled showcases the strength of our technology, revenue growth, and strategic alignment with some of the most important sectors today, from AI to aviation. At Q-CTRL, one of our core values is to Be Real, and that means a continued drive to deliver true customer value from quantum technology through our unique focus on infrastructure software. We’re excited to be able to deliver technical and commercial leadership as one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the global quantum sector.”
Michael J. Biercuk, CEO And Founder Of Q-CTRL
“The hard problem in quantum is not building the machine, it is getting useful output from it. Q-CTRL solves that with AI-powered control software, and the proof is already public: a materials simulation on IBM hardware that any developer can now call directly from the IBM Quantum Platform, and the first quantum navigation system qualified for safety of flight. That software layer will decide whether quantum shows up in enterprise data centers this decade, and it is why Salesforce Ventures led this round.”
Robert Keith, Partner At Salesforce Ventures
“Our investment in Q-CTRL reflects the company’s unique position at the forefront of quantum technology, combining technical leadership with strong commercial momentum. Mike and his team have demonstrated an exceptional ability to translate cutting-edge innovation into real-world applications, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth and success.”
Luis Videgaray, Partner At Affinity Partners
“Q-CTRL is one of the few quantum companies with real customers and real revenue. Michael has executed on everything he told us he would and then some. We’re pleased to keep backing him.”
Per Roman, Founding Partner At Bullhound Capital And Q-CTRL Board Member
“We see Q-CTRL as more than a commercial leader; they are a strategic asset across the entire quantum industry. Q-CTRL’s contributions to aviation and autonomy through its leadership in GPS-free quantum navigation are already reshaping the future of commercial air travel and boosting passenger safety. We’re proud to renew and expand our commitment to Q-CTRL as we’ve seen their growth trajectory first-hand since 2019, and look forward to them becoming one of the defining global businesses of the quantum era.”
Tony Holt, Co-Founder And Partner Of Square Peg
“Quantum technology only creates true value when it moves beyond the lab and performs reliably in the field—and Q-CTRL’s software-first approach proves that transition is already underway. From enabling navigation where GPS fails to delivering the quantum-powered data center, Q-CTRL is solving mission-critical challenges across global industry and resilience. MPower Partners is thrilled to back Q-CTRL, and we look forward to expanding their footprint in Japan, where deep industrial demand and sovereign commitment make it a natural hub for quantum commercialization.”
Kathy Matsui, General Partner, And Kazuhiro Hosaka, Vice President At MPower Partners
