Kipu Quantum
Kipu Quantum is a German quantum software company that builds a hardware-agnostic cloud platform giving enterprises access to 20+ quantum backends and proprietary optimization and ML algorithms, serving customers in chemicals, finance, telecom, healthcare, aerospace, and logistics across 40+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersKarlsruhe, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Kipu Quantum does
Kipu Quantum GmbH is a German quantum software company founded in 2021 and headquartered in Berlin with an R&D office in Karlsruhe. It builds a hardware-agnostic, quantum-centric AI computing platform — the Kipu Quantum Hub — that unifies access to more than 20 quantum processing units from providers including IBM, IonQ, QuEra, Rigetti, Azure Quantum, IQM, and Pasqal, and packages proprietary algorithms (BF-DCQO, DQFE, Digital-Analog Quantum Computing, Sequential Quantum Computing) into commercial services: Rimay (quantum feature extraction for ML), Miray and Iskay (quantum optimizers, with Iskay distributed via the IBM Qiskit Functions Catalog), and HUK (quantum feature mapping for tabular classification). The company also operates the Tinkuq AI matchmaker, the PlanQK marketplace acquired from Anaqor AG in July 2024, and the Kipu Academy certification program.
Kipu monetizes through a freemium cloud platform with paid Team and Enterprise subscriptions, a pay-per-use marketplace for managed quantum services across multiple hardware providers, and direct enterprise engagements. Its go-to-market combines self-serve product-led growth (free tier, no credit card required) with regional enterprise field sales (UKI/NA/ROW, LATAM, DACH), channel partnerships (IBM, NTT DATA, AWS Braket), and OEM-style embedding (Iskay as a Qiskit Function). Named customers and collaborators span BASF (chemicals), R/MASMOVIL (telecom), KPMG (financial services), Lufthansa Industry Solutions (aviation), Cleveland Clinic (healthcare), DXC Technology (aerospace/autonomous vehicles), mining firms, and S&P 500 financial institutions — supported by 405 organizations, ~40,000 users, and 34 commercial projects since 2021 across more than 26 countries.
The company has raised approximately 13.5 million EUR across two seed rounds (3M EUR in September 2022 from Quantonation, Entrada Ventures, and First Momentum Ventures; 10.5M EUR in December 2023 led by HV Capital and DeepTech & Climate Fonds). It expanded internationally in 2025 through a Spanish subsidiary in Bilbao (Kipu Quantum Bizkaia, S.L.) and a LATAM alliance with NTT DATA. CEO Daniel Volz departed in December 2025, with co-founder Prof. Dr. Enrique Solano and Dr. Tobias Grab continuing as Managing Directors. Infrastructure is hosted on ISO 27001-certified, GDPR-compliant EU data centers at Google Cloud and AWS.
Kipu Quantum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kipu Quantum
- Legal name
- Kipu Quantum GmbH
- Website
- https://kipu-quantum.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kipu Quantum is a German quantum software company that builds a hardware-agnostic cloud platform giving enterprises access to 20+ quantum backends and proprietary optimization and ML algorithms, serving customers in chemicals, finance, telecom, healthcare, aerospace, and logistics across 40+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kipu Quantum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Quantum Computing Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Provider Quantum Aggregators & Marketplaces (HDAGAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Quantum Cloud Infrastructure & QPU Hosting (HDAGAIAA), Quantum Job Scheduling, Queuing & Resource Management (HDAGAIAE), Quantum Cloud APIs, Billing & Metering (HDAGAIAJ), Quantum Software Engineering & Toolchain Training (HDAGALAF), Managed Quantum Services & Operations (M-QOps) (HDAGALAL), Quantum Finance Algorithms (Pricing, Risk, Portfolio) (HDAGADAD)
Keywords
Where Kipu Quantum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Karlsruhe
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Kipu Quantum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Platform Subscription (Hub): Tiered subscription model for Kipu Quantum Hub with free community tier and paid Team/Enterprise plans. Pay-per-use across all hardware providers with bring-your-own-token or pre-paid options.
- Usage-based API Services: Marketplace with production-grade quantum services as managed APIs. Pay-per-use model for Miray, Rimay, Iskay, and HUK services. Quantum computing vendor revenue exceeded $1 billion in 2025.
- Quantum Hardware Credits: Hardware credits purchasable on demand through Kipu Quantum Hub across 6 QPU vendors including IBM, IonQ, OQC, Rigetti, and more.
- Enterprise Services: Managed services and custom quantum solutions for enterprise clients requiring specialized implementation and support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free/Community tier with core platform access |
| Subscription | Annual | Business and Technical Certification Tracks |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-per-use quantum services via marketplace |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enterprise plans with dedicated support |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kipu Quantum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kipu Quantum develops and sells quantum-centric AI computing software that gives enterprises unified cloud access to 20+ quantum processing units (IBM Quantum, IonQ, QuEra, Rigetti, Pasqal, IQM, Azure Quantum). The company offers proprietary quantum optimization algorithms (BF-DCQO) and quantum machine learning services (Rimay, HUK) packaged through the Kipu Quantum Hub platform, enabling customers in pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, telecommunications, and chemicals to solve complex optimization and ML problems without requiring in-house quantum expertise. Revenue is generated via platform subscriptions, pay-per-use quantum services in an integrated marketplace, hardware credits, and managed enterprise engagements.
Product overview
Kipu Quantum offers a platform-plus-products architecture centered on the Kipu Quantum Hub cloud platform, which provides unified access to 20+ quantum backends (IBM, IonQ, QuEra, Rigetti, Azure Quantum, IQM, Pasqal) and serves over 40,000 users across 50+ countries. The core product portfolio includes Rimay (quantum feature extraction for ML), Miray (advanced quantum optimizer), Iskay (Qiskit Functions Catalog optimizer), and HUK (end-to-end ML feature mapping), all powered by proprietary BF-DCQO and counterdiabatic quantum algorithms. The company acquired the PlanQK platform in 2024 to enhance API-based quantum workflow accessibility. Educational services include Kipu Academy certification tracks, while Tinkuq provides AI-powered problem matchmaking within the hub ecosystem.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kipu Quantum Hub: Cloud platform for quantum-centric AI computing with access to leading QPUs, CPUs and GPUs
- Rimay
- Miray
- Iskay
- HUK
- Tinkuq
- Kipu Academy
Products and services
- Kipu Quantum Hub Enterprise cloud platform providing unified access to 20+ quantum processing units (IBM Quantum, IonQ, QuEra, Rigetti, Pasqal, IQM, Azure Quantum), AI Matchmaker for natural language problem translation, Workflow Designer for visual pipeline composition, and a Runtime Environment for job scheduling across QPUs, simulators, and CPU/GPU resources. Targets enterprises, researchers, and universities globally without requiring in-house quantum expertise.
- Rimay (Quantum Feature Extraction) Quantum Feature Extraction service that boosts ML accuracy for tabular datasets by using quantum feature extraction to unlock hidden correlations and patterns. Includes offline inference capability (DQFE pipeline) enabling quantum-trained models to run entirely on classical hardware at production. Validated on IBM Quantum Heron r2 processor (156 qubits). Early applications include mining, satellite imagery, molecular toxicity, and medical imaging.
- Miray Quantum Optimizer Advanced quantum optimizer leveraging Kipu's proprietary bias-field digitized counterdiabatic quantum optimization (BF-DCQO) algorithm combined with quantum hardware. Handles QUBO and HUBO optimization problems for various industrial applications. Achieves up to 80x faster runtime than CPLEX and up to 12x faster than simulated annealing.
- Iskay Quantum Optimizer Quantum optimizer available on the IBM Qiskit Functions Catalog, enabling developers and researchers to tackle complex optimization problems using the BF-DCQO algorithm across IBM's Heron processor (up to 156 qubits). Designed for use by IBM Quantum Network members, Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, and research labs without requiring deep quantum hardware expertise.
- HUK (Quantum Feature Mapping) Quantum Feature Mapping service providing a quantum-enhanced end-to-end ML solution for tabular classification, combining quantum feature extraction with automated training and prediction workflows for production ML applications.
- PlanQK Platform Quantum computing platform acquired from Anaqor AG in July 2024. Provides API services that transform algorithms into managed APIs, enabling businesses in logistics, pharmaceuticals, and finance to leverage quantum computing without deep technical expertise. Provides access to QuEra's Aquila 256-qubit neutral-atom quantum processors.
- Kipu Academy Educational certification program with Business Track (~10 hours) and Technical Track (~15 hours) covering the Kipu Quantum Hub, Miray, Rimay, and quantum computing concepts. Includes weekly cohort calls for Team and Enterprise users. Awards Level 1 of 3 in the Academy certification pathway.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 80x runtime speedup vs CPLEX, up to 12x faster than simulated annealing for HUBO optimization problems
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Kipu Quantum
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Kipu Quantum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability10 records
Feature9 records
Kipu Quantum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered emerging, major, core, regional and academic.
- Cleveland ClinicemergingSelected for Cleveland Clinic Quantum Catalyzer Program alongside EntangleBio, Polaris Quantum Biotech, and Singularity Quantum to develop quantum algorithms for protein folding research.
- KPMGmajorStrategic collaboration combining KPMG business expertise with IBM quantum systems and Kipu algorithms. Focus on quantum-enhanced machine learning for risk modeling, fraud detection, and supply chain optimization. Achieved 2-3% accuracy gains in select scenarios.
- IBM QuantumcoreLong-standing partnership for quantum algorithm development. Iskay Quantum Optimizer available on IBM Qiskit Functions Catalog. Validated DQFE pipeline on IBM Quantum Heron r2 processor. Joint research on satellite image classification, protein folding, and portfolio optimization.
- QuEra ComputingcoreEnhanced collaboration delivering industrial quantum solutions through PlanQK platform. Provides access to QuEra's Aquila 256-qubit neutral-atom quantum processors. Joint work on telecommunication network optimization and logistics applications.
- DXC TechnologyregionalPartnership with QuanIT and Kipu Quantum for Airbus BMW Quantum Computing Challenge. Developed quantum-enhanced qGAN solutions for autonomous vehicle training image generation.
- Anaqor AG (PlanQK Platform)coreAcquired PlanQK quantum computing platform from Anaqor AG in July 2024. Platform enhances accessibility across pharmaceuticals, chemicals, logistics, and finance industries. Provides marketplace for quantum services and algorithm sharing.
- IonQcoreCollaboration achieving largest protein folding problem solved on quantum hardware (12 amino acids on IonQ Forte). Also conducted portfolio optimization research on 64-qubit Barium development system. Joint research on quantum advantage demonstrations.
- NTT DATAmajorAlliance formalized March 2025 to commercialize quantum computing for Latin American industries including banking, insurance, logistics, and retail. Kipu Quantum Bizkaia subsidiary engages with regional initiatives including BIQAIN.
- NYU Abu DhabiacademicPartnership providing NYU Abu Dhabi researchers access to PLANQK platform for quantum research and experimentation.
- Lufthansa Industry SolutionsregionalCollaboration on QCI QCMobility project to optimize strategic and tactical flight operations planning for over 100 aircraft across 13 locations using quantum algorithms.
- R (Galician Telecom)regionalGalician telecom operator piloting quantum optimization for optical fiber backbone network resilience. Project identifies critical nodes to maximize service availability using up to 180 qubits on D-Wave and 46 qubits on QuEra.
- CinforegionalGalician technology company specializing in telecommunications networks. Joint project with R (telecom operator) using quantum computing for network resilience optimization using D-Wave and QuEra processors.
- PasqalemergingNeutral atom quantum hardware provider integrated on Kipu Quantum Hub. Also partner in IBM ecosystem discussions on quantum advantage demonstrations.
- NVIDIAmajorTechnology partnership for hybrid quantum optimization using CINECA's Leonardo supercomputer. CUDA-Q platform integration for exploring quantum-classical strategies for LABS optimization problem at 43 qubits.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kipu Quantum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- QuEra Computing: Neutral-atom quantum hardware and software company with Aquila 256-qubit systems accessible via AWS Braket. Both a strategic partner (hardware provider for Kipu's platform) and a broader incumbent offering its own end-user access layer.
- Quantinuum: Full-stack quantum computing company combining H-Series trapped-ion hardware with the TKET software stack and InQuanto chemistry platform. Larger, vertically integrated incumbent whose software offerings overlap with Kipu's optimization and chemistry focus.
- Xanadu Quantum Technologies: Canadian full-stack photonic quantum company with the PennyLane software platform for quantum machine learning and optimization. Comparable cloud-software product layer serving ML and optimization use cases similar to Kipu's Rimay and Miray products.
- IBM Quantum: Quantum hardware and software division of IBM offering Heron and Condor processors, Qiskit SDK, and Qiskit Functions Catalog. Both a strategic partner (hosting Iskay) and an incumbent competitor with native optimization functions targeting the same enterprise buyer.
Direct peers
- Strangeworks: Quantum computing software company offering a multi-vendor platform aggregating access to multiple QPUs. Direct peer in the quantum aggregator and marketplace category, with comparable enterprise self-serve plus paid tier model.
- Zapata AI: Quantum + classical AI software company focused on optimization, generative AI, and machine learning using quantum-inspired and quantum methods. Direct peer in quantum-enhanced ML, with overlapping use cases in tabular data and optimization.
- QC Ware: Quantum software company developing algorithms and a cloud platform for enterprise applications in chemistry, finance, and machine learning. Comparable focus on applied quantum software for industrial enterprise customers.
- Multiverse Computing: Spanish quantum software company specializing in quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms for finance, manufacturing, and energy. Closely comparable to Kipu in vertical focus (notably finance) and in delivering applied quantum solutions to European enterprises.
- QunaSys: Japanese quantum chemistry software company developing algorithms for materials and chemistry applications. Direct peer in applied quantum algorithms for industrial verticals, with similar focus on bridging classical and quantum workflows.
- Classiq: Israeli quantum software company offering a platform for designing and executing quantum algorithms across multiple hardware backends. Direct competitor in the hardware-agnostic quantum software space, serving enterprise and research customers with similar abstraction layer above QPUs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kipu Quantum social profiles
Digital presenceKipu Quantum compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Kipu Quantum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kipu Quantum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Kipu Quantum subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Kipu Quantum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kipu Quantum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kipu Quantum
What does Kipu Quantum do?
Kipu Quantum develops and sells quantum-centric AI computing software that gives enterprises unified cloud access to 20+ quantum processing units (IBM Quantum, IonQ, QuEra, Rigetti, Pasqal, IQM, Azure Quantum). The company offers proprietary quantum optimization algorithms (BF-DCQO) and quantum machine learning services (Rimay, HUK) packaged through the Kipu Quantum Hub platform, enabling customers in pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, telecommunications, and chemicals to solve complex optimization and ML problems without requiring in-house quantum expertise. Revenue is generated via platform subscriptions, pay-per-use quantum services in an integrated marketplace, hardware credits, and managed enterprise engagements.
Is Kipu Quantum a public or private company?
Kipu Quantum is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Kipu Quantum founded?
Kipu Quantum was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kipu Quantum based?
Kipu Quantum is headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Kipu Quantum make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Platform Subscription (Hub) is the primary driver. The others are usage-based API Services, quantum Hardware Credits and enterprise Services.
Who are Kipu Quantum's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are QuEra Computing, Quantinuum, Xanadu Quantum Technologies and IBM Quantum. Direct peers are Strangeworks, Zapata AI, QC Ware, Multiverse Computing, QunaSys and Classiq.
Does Kipu Quantum have an API?
Yes. RESTful APIs and SDKs for integrating quantum computing into existing workflows. The platform provides Python SDK for submitting jobs, with example code showing hub.services.bf_dcqo.run() functionality for HUBO/QUBO problems. API access allows automation of quantum workloads and deployment as managed services. Developer documentation is at hub.kipu-quantum.com.
What industry is Kipu Quantum in?
Kipu Quantum's product category is Quantum Computing Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGAIAC, Multi-Provider Quantum Aggregators & Marketplaces, with a secondary code of HDAGAIAA, Quantum Cloud Infrastructure & QPU Hosting. Its NAICS code is 5415 and its SIC code is 7371.