Quantum Circuits

What Quantum Circuits does

Quantum Circuits Inc. is a Yale University spinout founded in 2015 in New Haven, Connecticut, that built full-stack superconducting quantum computers based on a proprietary Dual-Rail Cavity Qubit (DRQ) architecture, in which a single qubit is encoded across a pair of microwave-frequency cavity resonators that expose a single dominant photon-loss error channel. This design converts silent quantum errors into detectable "erasure" events with >99% reliability, enabling hardware-native error detection that the company claims reduces the physical-to-logical qubit overhead by roughly 10x relative to conventional transmons, with phase coherence times of ~5 ms (approximately 30x longer than typical superconducting qubits) and 99.99% state-preparation-and-measurement fidelity. The product portfolio centers on the Aqumen Seeker, an 8-qubit DRQ quantum processing unit, supported by the AquSim error-aware simulator, the Aqumen SDK with its native QCDL programming language (the only quantum API natively supporting real-time control flow and error detection handling), and the Aqumen Cloud Service for direct cloud-based QCaaS access. The company also offers a Qiskit Provider and was the first to integrate dual-rail qubits with NVIDIA's CUDA-Q hybrid quantum-classical framework.

The business model combines one-time capital sales of quantum hardware systems with multi-year Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) cloud subscriptions, distributed through a direct enterprise and government field-sales motion that begins with the invitation-only Strategic Quantum Release (SQR) program and progresses to full system or QCaaS contracts. Disclosed deal sizes include a $20M hardware sale to Florida Atlantic University and a $10M two-year QCaaS agreement with a Fortune 100 company. Customer segments span pharmaceutical and life sciences (e.g., Algorithmiq for drug metabolism), academic and research institutions, U.S. government and national security (In-Q-Tel, NORDTECH, Microelectronics Commons SQFab), and enterprise technology/AI-ML. In August 2024 the company raised a $60M+ Series B led by ARCH, F-Prime, Sequoia, and Hither Creek Ventures, and in January 2026 was acquired by D-Wave Quantum for approximately $550M in cash and stock, becoming the gate-model arm of a combined annealing-plus-gate-model quantum platform.

Name

Quantum Circuits

Legal name

Quantum Circuits Inc.

Website

https://quantumcircuits.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Quantum Circuits built full-stack superconducting quantum computers using a proprietary Dual-Rail Cavity Qubit architecture with built-in error detection, serving pharmaceutical, academic, government, and enterprise customers via hardware sales and cloud-based QCaaS, before being acquired by D-Wave Quantum in January 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quantum Computing Hardware

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Electronic Computers (3571)

akta.pro primary industry

Superconducting QPU Systems (HDAGAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

QEC-Aware Control, Calibration & Feedback (active reset, adaptive control) (HDAGAJAG), Quantum Cloud Infrastructure & QPU Hosting (HDAGAIAA), Quantum Circuit Compilation & Optimization (HDAGAKAA), Decoding Algorithms & Real-Time Decoders (MWPM, neural, FPGA/ASIC decoders) (HDAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Superconducting quantum computing
• Dual-rail qubit systems
• Quantum error detection
• Quantum computing as a service
• Gate-model quantum processors

Headquarters

HQ city

New Haven

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Quantum Hardware System Sales: Sale of quantum processing units including the Aqumen Seeker 8-qubit system, sold as full-stack quantum computing systems to enterprise, academic, and government customers. Systems are purchased outright for on-premises deployment. Deal values observed include $20 million for a Florida Atlantic University Advantage2 system sale (prior to D-Wave acquisition). Post-acquisition, D-Wave markets gate-model systems for purchase with initial commercial availability targeted for 2026.
2. Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) / Aqumen Cloud: Cloud-based access to quantum computing hardware and simulators via the Aqumen Cloud Service platform, providing on-demand quantum computing resources. Customers access QPUs and simulators through the SDK and cloud portal. Deal structures observed include a $10 million two-year enterprise QCaaS agreement with a Fortune 100 company, representing enterprise-scale multi-year cloud capacity commitments.
3. Software Development Kit (SDK) and Programming Tools: Revenue from software tools including the Aqumen SDK, QCDL programming environment, and Qiskit Provider. Available as part of the Aqumen Cloud Service subscription and as standalone developer tools. Revenue is bundled within QCaaS cloud access agreements and enterprise software licensing arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Quantum Circuits designs, manufactures, and sells full-stack superconducting quantum computing systems based on its proprietary Dual-Rail Cavity Qubit (DRQ) architecture with built-in error detection. The offering includes the Aqumen Seeker 8-qubit QPU, AquSim simulator, Aqumen Cloud Service (QCaaS), and the Aqumen SDK with native QCDL and Qiskit programming environments, sold to enterprise, government, and academic customers for quantum algorithm development and fault-tolerant quantum computing research.

Product overview

Quantum Circuits (now part of D-Wave) is a full-stack quantum computing provider built on superconducting dual-rail cavity qubit technology with built-in error detection. The product portfolio centers on the Aqumen Seeker quantum processing unit (QPU) — an 8-qubit system featuring the industry's first hardware-native quantum error detection — supported by the Aqumen Cloud Service for cloud-based QPU and simulator access, the Aqumen SDK (offering both the proprietary QCDL programming environment and Qiskit Provider access), and the AquSim simulator for algorithm prototyping. This integrated full-stack system enables users to explore quantum applications with unique error-aware capabilities that no other quantum platform provides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aqumen Seeker: Industry's first Dual-Rail Cavity Qubit quantum computing system with built-in error detection. An 8-qubit full-stack quantum processing unit (QPU) providing universal gate-based quantum computing with error detection, real-time control flow, and error detection handling.
• Aqumen Cloud Service (ACS)
• Aqumen SDK
• AquSim Simulator

Products and services

• Aqumen Seeker QPU The industry's first Dual-Rail Cavity Qubit (DRQ) quantum computing system — an 8-qubit superconducting quantum processing unit with built-in quantum error detection, real-time control flow, and error detection handling. Delivers high throughput and gate speeds up to 100x-1000x faster than trapped ion and neutral atom modalities, with world-class fidelity metrics and a nearest-neighbor topology for enterprise customers, government, and academic researchers.
• AquSim Simulator A quantum simulator available in two classes: a noiseless simulator for rapid algorithm prototyping with real-time control flow support, and a DRQ version modeling real-time error dynamics, QED, EDH, and erasure noise. Backed by NVIDIA GPUs, supports up to 25 qubits for greenfield algorithm exploration prior to QPU execution.
• Aqumen Cloud Service A Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) platform providing centralized cloud access to Aqumen Seeker QPUs and AquSim simulators. Includes the Aqumen Cloud Portal for account management, job submission, queue visibility, and system status monitoring, with seamless compilation, simulation, and execution of quantum programs delivered as a direct cloud gateway.
• Aqumen SDK A collection of Python libraries, documentation, and examples enabling users to execute quantum applications on Quantum Circuits QPUs and simulators. Features the proprietary QCDL programming environment with native support for advanced quantum error detection and real-time control, alongside a Qiskit Provider for quick-start access, connecting to Aqumen Cloud Service for job monitoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10x improvement in resource utilization (fewer physical qubits required for equivalent logical qubit performance) vs. conventional superconducting approaches
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, key, foundational and regional.

• D-Wave QuantumflagshipOthers · 16 January 2026D-Wave Quantum Inc. acquired Quantum Circuits Inc. for approximately $550 million in January 2026 ($300 million in D-Wave common stock and $250 million in cash). The acquisition combined Quantum Circuits' error-corrected superconducting gate-model technology with D-Wave's commercial quantum annealing platform, creating the world's first and only dual-platform quantum computing company. Rob Schoelkopf joined D-Wave as Chief Scientist. The deal closed January 20, 2026, with Quantum Circuits operating as a D-Wave subsidiary.
• NVIDIAcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 October 2025Quantum Circuits integrated its Aqumen Seeker quantum processing unit with NVIDIA's CUDA-Q hybrid quantum-classical programming platform, enabling CUDA-Q users to program Quantum Circuits' dual-rail qubit systems for the first time. The integration, announced at NVIDIA GTC Washington D.C., allows users to leverage universal gates, high performance, and fast execution times on Quantum Circuits' hardware. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang highlighted this integration as part of NVQLink quantum-GPU computing architecture. Quantum Circuits also received access to NVIDIA Grace Hopper Superchips for quantum error correction simulation and HPC integration, with systems installed at Quantum Circuits' New Haven headquarters.
• NORDTECH Consortium (Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub)keyOthers · 22 September 2025Quantum Circuits joined the NORDTECH (Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub) consortium, a regional coalition within the U.S. Microelectronics Commons program, to develop state-of-the-art fabrication technology supporting superconducting quantum computers. NORDTECH is led by NY CREATES with work at the Albany NanoTech Complex. The consortium supports scalable quantum error correction through new materials, innovative quantum circuits, and qubit control schemes. Quantum Circuits participates alongside Cornell University, NYU, Princeton, Syracuse University, SEEQC, D-Wave, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
• Yale Quantum Institute (YQI)foundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 September 2025Quantum Circuits maintains a close institutional relationship with the Yale Quantum Institute, an interdisciplinary research center at Yale University. Robert Schoelkopf serves as Director of the Yale Quantum Institute. The company originated from Yale research, with founders Rob Schoelkopf, Michel Devoret, and Luigi Frunzio all affiliated with Yale's applied physics and physics departments. Yale's Quantum Institute provides ongoing research collaboration, talent pipeline, and academic credibility.
• QuantumCT (Connecticut Quantum Technology Ecosystem)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 September 2025Quantum Circuits is part of Connecticut's quantum technology ecosystem, QuantumCT, which connects quantum companies, research institutions, and government stakeholders in the state. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont pledged $121 million in statewide investment in quantum technology supporting QuantumCT and a quantum incubator in New Haven. Quantum Circuits' participation in this ecosystem provides access to regional talent, government support, and collaborative research opportunities.
• SQFab Project / NY CREATES / Microelectronics CommonskeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2025Quantum Circuits (as D-Wave subsidiary Quantum Circuits, LLC) received second-year funding through the SQFab project ('Improved Materials for Superconducting Qubits with Scalable Fabrication') under the U.S. Microelectronics Commons initiative. The project aims to advance materials and fabrication methods for superconducting qubits to support next-generation U.S. microelectronics capabilities for commercial and national security applications. Led by NY CREATES at Albany NanoTech Complex, the effort supports scalable quantum error correction and domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
• AlgorithmiqcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2025Quantum Circuits partnered with Algorithmiq, a European quantum algorithm company focused on life sciences, to demonstrate faster and more accurate molecular simulation for drug discovery using the Aqumen Seeker system. Algorithmiq's quantum algorithms for drug metabolism are executed on Quantum Circuits' dual-rail qubit hardware with built-in error detection, providing a proof-of-concept for scalable quantum pipelines in pharmaceutical innovation. CEO Sabrina Maniscalco of Algorithmiq stated this partnership accelerates real-world impact in pharmaceutical innovation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IonQ: IonQ is a publicly-traded trapped-ion quantum computing company pursuing fault-tolerant systems via acquisition of Lightsynq and Capella. Competes with Quantum Circuits in the gate-model full-stack QCaaS market with similar enterprise and government customer targets.
• Quantinuum: Quantinuum (Honeywell/Cambridge Quantum merger) operates trapped-ion gate-model quantum computers with industry-leading fidelity benchmarks and a strong enterprise software stack — directly comparable business model of full-stack gate-model quantum computing for commercial users.
• Rigetti Computing: Rigetti is a publicly-traded superconducting gate-model quantum computing company selling QPUs via its Quantum Cloud Services platform. Same hardware modality, same enterprise sales motion, and similar focus on error-corrected superconducting systems as Quantum Circuits.
• Google Quantum AI: Google Quantum AI builds superconducting gate-model quantum processors (Willow, Sycamore) and is pursuing surface-code error correction at scale. Competes directly with Quantum Circuits in the superconducting, fault-tolerant-quantum-computing race.
• IBM Quantum: IBM Quantum operates the most widely deployed superconducting gate-model quantum computing platform, with Heron and Condor processors in the 100+ qubit range and the dominant Qiskit developer ecosystem — the closest direct competitor to Quantum Circuits' superconducting, cloud-accessible QPU approach.

Emerging players

• Atom Computing: Atom Computing develops neutral-atom quantum processors (e.g., 1,000+ qubit Phoenix system) for enterprise and research customers. Competes in the broader fault-tolerant-quantum-computing race with a different hardware modality but similar product positioning to Quantum Circuits' Aqumen Seeker.
• PsiQuantum: PsiQuantum pursues fault-tolerant quantum computing using photonic qubits at scale, with significant capital backing and government partnerships. Competes in the long-horizon race to fault-tolerant quantum advantage but via a fundamentally different modality.
• QuEra Computing: QuEra builds neutral-atom quantum computers targeting similar enterprise and government customers as Quantum Circuits, with a complementary modality (neutral atoms vs. superconducting) but overlapping error-correction and full-stack ambitions.

Broad incumbents

• D-Wave Quantum: D-Wave is the parent company of Quantum Circuits following the January 2026 acquisition, and is the only commercial provider of quantum annealing systems (Advantage). The combined entity is now the only dual-platform quantum computing company offering both annealing and gate-model systems.
• Microsoft Azure Quantum: Microsoft Azure Quantum is a broad quantum cloud platform aggregating third-party hardware providers and offering the Q# development stack. It is an indirect competitor and potential channel for Quantum Circuits' QPUs through integration partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quantum-circuits-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors11 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quantum Circuits