What Qolab does

Qolab is a quantum hardware company founded in 2022 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with a research and development laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin. The company develops utility-scale superconducting quantum computers by applying advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques to qubit fabrication and system integration. Its core technology platform centers on a proprietary semiconductor-compatible window-junction fabrication process that replaces conventional lift-off methods with subtractive etching on 300mm wafer tools, achieving relaxation times up to 57 microseconds. The company also develops wafer-scale integration architecture and cryogenic integrated circuits adapted from semiconductor packaging (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate) to enable dense, modular quantum processor tiles targeting up to 100,000 qubits per dilution refrigerator. Leadership includes 2025 Nobel Laureate John Martinis as CTO and co-founder, former Google Quantum AI Head of Product Alan Ho as CEO and co-founder, and UW-Madison Professor Robert McDermott as Head of Hardware.

Qolab's primary commercial product is Qolab Start, a superconducting quantum processing unit (QPU) platform launched in December 2025 for hardware research, device characterization, and pulse-level experimentation. The platform is available through on-premise installation at customer laboratories or via cloud-based remote access, with up to six devices loadable in a single cooldown for parallel research. Revenue streams include hardware sales for on-premise deployments (multi-year contracts), cloud access subscriptions (annual billing), and collaborative research engagements with government programs such as DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative and the DOE Quantum Systems Accelerator. Pricing is custom-quoted and not publicly disclosed.

The company serves university research labs, national laboratories, and semiconductor and hardware R&D teams conducting superconducting qubit experiments, quantum benchmarking, and quantum engineering education. Qolab's strategic partnerships with Applied Materials, Western Digital, Synopsys, HPE, Quantum Machines, Riverlane, and KLA provide access to semiconductor fabrication infrastructure and control electronics. The company co-leads the Quantum Scaling Alliance and DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, targeting utility-scale quantum computing by 2033. The company is venture-backed with over $19.5 million in disclosed funding, including a $16 million Series A led by Octave Ventures in December 2024.

Name

Qolab

Legal name

Qolab, Inc.

Website

https://qolab.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Qolab is a quantum hardware company developing superconducting quantum computers through semiconductor-compatible 300mm fabrication processes. Founded in 2022, it serves university research labs, national laboratories, and semiconductor R&D teams with its Qolab Start QPU platform for hardware research and quantum engineering education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quantum Computing Hardware

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Superconducting QPU Systems (HDAGAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

QPU Packaging, Interconnects & Chiplets (Quantum Processor Integration) (HDAGAAAJ), Quantum Hardware Architecture & Systems Engineering Research (HDAGAMAB), Quantum Materials, Qubits & Device Physics Research (HDAGAMAA)

Keywords

• Superconducting quantum computing
• Quantum hardware manufacturing
• Quantum processor fabrication
• Semiconductor-compatible qubits
• Quantum processing units

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Qolab Start - Hardware Sales: Sale of superconducting QPU platforms for hardware research, available on-premise or via cloud access. Targets university labs, national laboratories, and R&D teams.
2. Cloud Quantum Computing Access: Remote access to Qolab quantum hardware via secure cloud connectivity, enabling researchers to conduct experiments without custom infrastructure.
3. Research Partnerships: Collaborative research engagements with government programs (DARPA, DOE) and industry partners for quantum hardware development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Qolab develops and manufactures utility-scale superconducting quantum processors (QPUs) using semiconductor-compatible fabrication processes. Its primary commercial product is Qolab Start, a turn-key superconducting qubit system for hardware research, device characterization, and pulse-level experimentation, available either as on-premise hardware or via secure cloud access. Qolab also conducts collaborative research engagements with government programs (DARPA, DOE) and industry partners for quantum hardware development.

Product overview

Qolab is a quantum hardware company developing utility-scale superconducting quantum computers through advanced semiconductor manufacturing. The company operates with a primary product called Qolab Start — a superconducting QPU platform for hardware research and workforce development, available on-premise or via cloud access. The product portfolio centers on superconducting qubit technology, with core offerings including turn-key experimental platforms, high-quality in-house fabricated processors and resonators, and pulse-level hardware control capabilities. Qolab Start is positioned as the company's first deployable superconducting qubit system, while the broader technology roadmap targets utility-scale quantum computing systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Qolab Start: Superconducting QPU platform for hardware research, device characterization, and pulse-level experimentation. Available on-premise or through cloud access.

Products and services

• Qolab Start Turn-key superconducting quantum processing unit (QPU) platform designed for hardware research, device characterization, pulse-level experimentation, benchmarking, and quantum engineering education. Enables reliable experiments without custom infrastructure, supports pulse-level hardware control with direct access to microwave and flux pulses, and is available both as on-premise hardware and via secure cloud access.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 100,000 qubits per dilution refrigerator (100× current density)
• +2 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Applied MaterialscoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading semiconductor fabrication equipment company collaborating on adapting advanced 300mm tools for industrial-grade, repeatable superconducting qubit manufacturing. Joint work on material development, advanced packaging, and nanofabrication to improve qubit error rates and uniformity.
• Western DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership combining materials science, nanofabrication, and precision manufacturing expertise to improve qubit performance, reliability, and scalability. Western Digital's expertise in translating physics breakthroughs into transformative technologies applied to quantum computing.
• Quantum MachinescoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration of low-latency quantum control electronics and orchestration software enabling precise, real-time operation of superconducting qubit systems. Provider of quantum control solutions driving advancement of hybrid quantum-classical computing.
• SynopsyscoreTechnology or IntegrationJoint work on design, modeling, and simulation workflows supporting complex superconducting circuits and scalable system architectures. Contributes expertise in EDA tools, semiconductor IP, and cryoCMOS design for scalable quantum solutions.
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)coreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on hybrid quantum-classical system architecture and technical roadmapping toward scalable, utility-grade quantum computing. HPE brings extensive experience in high-performance computing for robust and scalable quantum systems integration.
• KLAstrategicTechnology or IntegrationApplication of advanced metrology, inspection, and process-control techniques to improve fabrication consistency and qubit yield in superconducting qubit manufacturing.
• RiverlanestrategicTechnology or IntegrationExploration of hardware-software interface between superconducting qubits and error-correction-driven system requirements for scalable quantum architectures.
• 1QBitstrategicTechnology or IntegrationBenchmarking and architectural analysis of quantum hardware using simulation tools to evaluate noise, manufacturing imperfections, and fault-tolerant needs for utility-scale quantum computers.
• DARPAcoreOthersQolab co-leads hardware development for DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) consortium building a quantum supercomputer. Goal to develop industrially useful quantum computer by 2033. Qolab spearheads design and fabrication of quantum processors.
• University of WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint work on design, modeling, and simulation workflows for superconducting circuits. Professor Robert McDermott (Head of Hardware, Co-founder) leads academic collaboration. Professor Matthew Otten contributes quantum benchmarking expertise.
• Israeli Quantum Computing Center (IQCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst global deployment of Qolab's superconducting qubit device, making advanced quantum hardware accessible worldwide via cloud. Hosts Qolab's quantum processors for international research access. Partner in John Martinis Grant program.
• National Quantum Federated Foundry (NQFF)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore government initiative developing cryogenic low-pass filters essential for scaling quantum computers from dozens to millions of qubits. Leverages Singapore's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities for filter production.
• Quantum Scaling Alliance (QSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal initiative co-led by Qolab to co-design scalable quantum systems by integrating semiconductor manufacturing, control, software, and HPC expertise. Includes Applied Materials, HPE, Synopsys, Quantum Machines, Riverlane, 1QBit, and University of Wisconsin. Goal: quantum supercomputer with over a million qubits by 2033.
• Berkeley LabstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration leveraging national user facilities and quantum fabrication infrastructure to accelerate superconducting hardware research and testing.
• DOE Quantum Systems AcceleratorstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerContribution to DOE program advancing quantum systems research and development alongside national laboratories and research institutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IBM Quantum: IBM Quantum builds superconducting QPU systems (Heron, Condor) and offers them via the cloud to enterprise, research, and government customers — the same target segments and product category as Qolab Start, but at vastly greater scale.
• Google Quantum AI: Google Quantum AI pioneered superconducting qubits (Martinis's former team) and continues to set the benchmark for qubit count and error correction milestones — the most direct technical competitor and historical lineage for Qolab's leadership.
• Rigetti Computing: Rigetti builds and sells superconducting QPUs (Ankaa class) via its Quantum Cloud Services platform, targeting enterprise and national lab customers with a similar hardware + cloud + foundry strategy as Qolab.
• Quantinuum: Quantinuum (Honeywell/Cambridge Quantum) develops full-stack quantum hardware (H-series trapped ion, future superconducting) and is a direct competitor for utility-scale fault-tolerant milestones and government/enterprise customers.

Emerging players

• Alice & Bob: Alice & Bob is an early-stage French company building superconducting cat qubits with a similar focus on hardware-level fault-tolerance — directly comparable in mission (utility-scale superconducting computing) and stage, though with a different qubit modality.
• Quantum Circuits Inc: Quantum Circuits Inc (Yale/Schoelkopf spin-out) builds superconducting QPUs with a focus on dual-rail qubits and full-stack integration, competing for the same research and enterprise superconducting hardware segment as Qolab.
• Atlantic Quantum: Atlantic Quantum (MIT spin-out) is developing superconducting quantum hardware with an emphasis on scalable control electronics and modular architectures — comparable in stage and superconducting focus to Qolab.
• IonQ: IonQ builds trapped-ion quantum systems and sells them via cloud and on-premise — adjacent in business model and customer segments (enterprise, national labs, cloud) and a recent commercial partner of Qolab through the Creative Quantum Challenge.

Broad incumbents

• Intel: Intel's Quantum Computing efforts include cryogenic control chips (Horse Ridge) and superconducting qubit R&D; it is a broad incumbent with deep semiconductor process expertise relevant to Qolab's manufacturing-first approach.
• Microsoft Azure Quantum: Microsoft Azure Quantum provides a broad quantum platform (topological qubits in research + partner hardware access), serving the same enterprise and government segments as Qolab with a wider portfolio and substantially more capital.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiCuzvOPdeFspWJdRGZQSdA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qolabai

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors7 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 Qolab