OptQC
OptQC is a Tokyo-based deep-tech startup commercializing 25+ years of optical quantum computing research from the University of Tokyo Furusawa Laboratory. It develops room-temperature, continuous-variable optical quantum computers targeting optimization, AI, and scientific computing applications for enterprise and research customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersToshima, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What OptQC does
OptQC is a Tokyo-based deep-tech startup incorporated in September 2024 as a spin-off from the University of Tokyo's Furusawa Laboratory to commercialize more than 25 years of optical quantum computing research. The company serves enterprise customers and research institutions seeking quantum computing capabilities for large-scale optimization, AI/ML acceleration, and scientific computing problems that exceed the practical reach of classical supercomputers. Its first commercial optical quantum computer unit is scheduled to begin operational testing at AIST's G-QuAT facility in April 2026.
The company's core technology is a continuous-variable optical quantum computer using all-optical feedforward (AOFF) architecture and time-domain multiplexing. Unlike superconducting or trapped-ion systems, OptQC's platform operates at room temperature and ambient pressure without cryogenic infrastructure, and its time-domain multiplexing allows computational scale to grow without physically enlarging the hardware — keeping system size and cost independent of qubit count. The AOFF architecture processes quantum information entirely as light via optical parametric amplifiers, eliminating electrical conversion bottlenecks and targeting a clock frequency of 10 THz (10,000x current supercomputers). In March 2026, OptQC and partners NTT, University of Tokyo, and RIKEN achieved a world-record quality squeezed-light generation using waveguide-type devices, a key building block for entanglement and error correction. The software stack includes GKP qubit error-correction compilers and an SDK to translate conventional qubit-based algorithms into CV optical formats.
OptQC's business model is pre-commercial, with planned revenue streams from hardware sales (a dedicated 'optical quantum computer purchase' inquiry channel exists) and subscription/cloud-access services potentially distributed via RIKEN's cloud optical quantum computer. The HIQALI membership program currently functions as a recurring-revenue proxy, providing corporate members with early access to research findings, training, and priority access to physical machines once deployed. Direct enterprise sales are the primary go-to-market, targeting Japanese customers initially, with international expansion into the US, Europe, and Asia supported by the SusHi Tech Global Growth Acceleration Program. The five-year NTT partnership (signed November 2025) targets a 1-million-qubit optical quantum computer by 2030, positioning OptQC as Japan's national champion in continuous-variable optical quantum computing.
OptQC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OptQC
- Legal name
- OptQC株式会社 (OptQC Corp.)
- Website
- https://optqc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OptQC is a Tokyo-based deep-tech startup commercializing 25+ years of optical quantum computing research from the University of Tokyo Furusawa Laboratory. It develops room-temperature, continuous-variable optical quantum computers targeting optimization, AI, and scientific computing applications for enterprise and research customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OptQC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Quantum Computing Hardware
- NAICS
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (3341), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Electronic Computers (3571), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quantum Application Engineering & Solution Delivery Services (HDAGALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Quantum Cloud Infrastructure & QPU Hosting (HDAGAIAA), Quantum Control, Cryogenics & Measurement Research (HDAGAMAC), Managed Quantum Services & Operations (M-QOps) (HDAGALAL)
Keywords
Where OptQC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toshima
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
OptQC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Optical Quantum Computer Hardware Sales: OptQC is developing and plans to commercialize optical quantum computers. The company has a dedicated 'purchase optical quantum computers' inquiry option on its website, indicating hardware sales as a primary revenue stream. Commercial deployment of the first unit is planned for fiscal 2026.
- Machine Access and Cloud Quantum Computing Services: Plans to provide priority access to physical quantum computers for HIQALI members and potentially cloud-based access through RIKEN's cloud optical quantum computer. The company is building out cloud access infrastructure as part of its commercialization roadmap.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
OptQC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OptQC develops and commercializes optical quantum computers based on continuous-variable time-domain multiplexing and an all-optical feedforward (AOFF) architecture originating from the University of Tokyo Furusawa Laboratory. Its systems operate at room temperature without cryogenic cooling, target 10,000 qubits by 2027 and 1 million qubits by 2030, and are aimed at enterprise customers for optimization, AI acceleration, and scientific computing workloads. The company also operates the HIQALI membership program providing early access, training, and use-case co-development services.
Product overview
OptQC is a deep-tech startup developing optical quantum computers based on over 25 years of research from the University of Tokyo Furusawa Laboratory. The company offers a unified product portfolio centered on its core Optical Quantum Computer, which operates at room temperature unlike competing superconducting or ion-trap quantum computers. The main product is complemented by HIQALI, a membership program providing early access, training, and use-case development services. A five-year partnership with NTT aims to develop a 1-million qubit system by 2030. OptQC's technology uses time-division multiplexing for scalability and targets applications in optimization, AI acceleration, and scientific computing. The first commercial unit is scheduled for deployment in fiscal 2026 (April 2026).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Optical Quantum Computer (光量子コンピュータ) An optical quantum computer that uses photons (light) to perform quantum computations via continuous-variable time-domain multiplexing and an all-optical feedforward (AOFF) architecture. Operates at room temperature without cryogenic cooling, targeting enterprise customers for optimization, AI acceleration, and scientific computing workloads. The first commercial unit is scheduled for installation at AIST's G-QuAT facility.
- HIQALI Membership Program (Hub for Innovation in Quantum And Light-driven Industry) An industry-academia membership program providing companies with early access to OptQC's optical quantum computer technology, professional talent development through lecture courses and training, and use-case exploration services for industries including optimization, AI, and machine learning.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10 THz clock frequency — 10,000x faster than current supercomputers
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use OptQC
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
OptQC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
OptQC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) — Moonshot Goal 6coreOptQC participates in JST's Moonshot R&D Program Goal 6 'Realization of fault-tolerant universal quantum computer by 2050.' Director Akira Furusawa serves as Project Manager. OptQC leads development of all-optical fault-tolerant quantum computers. Two R&D tasks: all-optical quantum computing systems research and GKP qubit error correction software development.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government — SusHi Tech ProgramsecondarySelected for SusHi Tech Global Growth Acceleration Program (Phase 1), providing up to ¥200 million funding, expert mentorship, overseas BD support, multilingual materials development, and global networking to accelerate international market entry targeting US, Europe, and Asia.
- Exail (France)secondaryFrench photonics technology company providing high-performance optical modulators and thermally stabilized fiber coils for OptQC's optical quantum computer development. Featured in Exail's official customer story as a key photonic technology supplier enabling OptQC's industrial-scale quantum computing ambitions.
- Q-STAR (Quantum Strategic industry Alliance for Revolution)secondaryCEO Kan Takase serves as a board member of Q-STAR, Japan's largest quantum industry organization. Q-STAR coordinates quantum technology policy, industry standards, and cross-company collaboration to advance quantum computing commercialization in Japan.
- NTTcoreFive-year joint research program to develop a 1-million qubit optical quantum computer by 2030. NTT contributes optical communication, error correction, and IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) technologies. Phased milestones include technical studies, environment creation, and use case verification. Combines NTT's optical technologies with OptQC's quantum computing platform for scalable, reliable practical optical quantum computers.
- RIKEN (理化学研究所)coreResearch partner in the NTT-OptQC collaboration. OptQC's first commercial unit will be installed at AIST's G-QuAT facility. RIKEN operates a cloud-accessible optical quantum computer and serves as a key academic partner in Japan's national quantum computing research ecosystem.
- Fixstars AmplifysecondaryQuantum computing software company participating in the NTT-OptQC research ecosystem. CTO Hiraoka previously affiliated with Fixstars Amplify and serves as a panelist in HIQALI seminars. Provides software ecosystem integration for quantum algorithm development.
- National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)secondaryGovernment research institute participating in the five-year NTT-OptQC joint research program, contributing to use case development and social implementation of optical quantum computers.
- NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization)coreTwo research themes selected for NEDO's Post-5G Information and Communication System Infrastructure Enhancement R&D Program: (1) development of 10,000 quantum mode input optical quantum computer and (2) advanced optical detection system capable of photon number resolution.
- HIQALI Partner Companies (Multiple)secondaryCorporate members of the HIQALI 'Quantum and Optical Industry Innovation Hub' membership program, which provides exclusive access to research findings, training, and priority use of OptQC's quantum computers. The program had its inaugural seminar in April 2025 with participation from multiple companies across industries.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
OptQC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PsiQuantum: PsiQuantum is pursuing photonic quantum computing at scale using silicon photonics. Direct peer to OptQC with similar architecture (photons as qubits) and overlapping goal of fault-tolerant quantum computing, but with substantially more capital ($700M+ raised) and a focus on silicon photonics rather than continuous-variable optical approaches.
- Xanadu Quantum Technologies: Xanadu is a Canadian photonic quantum computing company using squeezed-light continuous-variable architectures — directly comparable to OptQC's technical approach. Offers cloud-accessible Borealis processor and has raised significant venture funding; competes for the same photonic QC enterprise customers.
Broad incumbents
- IBM Quantum: IBM Quantum is the largest commercial quantum computing platform, offering superconducting qubit systems (Heron, Condor) accessible via cloud. Broad incumbent with established enterprise customers and developer ecosystem (Qiskit); competes with OptQC for the same optimization/AI workloads using a different modality.
- Google Quantum AI: Google's Quantum AI lab develops superconducting qubit processors (Willow chip demonstrating below-threshold error correction). Broad incumbent with deep R&D resources; key competitor in the race to fault-tolerant quantum computing and the broader quantum cloud services market.
- Quantinuum: Quantinuum is a leading trapped-ion quantum computing company (Honeywell/IONQ Cambridge merger), offering the H-Series via cloud. Broad incumbent with full-stack software (InQuanto) competing for enterprise customers in chemistry and optimization.
- IonQ: IonQ is a publicly traded trapped-ion quantum computing company offering cloud-accessible systems (Forte, Aria). Broad incumbent competing for enterprise and government quantum computing customers with established revenue and partnerships.
- Rigetti Computing: Rigetti develops superconducting quantum computers and offers them via its Quantum Cloud Services platform (QCS). Public company with vertical integration from chip fab to cloud software; competes in the same enterprise QC market as OptQC.
Emerging players
- QuEra Computing: QuEra is a neutral-atom quantum computing company spun out from Harvard/MIT. Emerging player pursuing a different modality (neutral atoms) but competing for similar optimization and simulation use cases as OptQC; also a beneficiary of government quantum funding.
- Pasqal: Pasqal is a French neutral-atom quantum computing company with similar stage and European government backing. Emerging player in the alternative-modality QC space; less direct overlap but competing for enterprise pilot programs and government R&D funding.
- Quandela: Quandela is a French photonic quantum computing company developing semiconductor-based single-photon sources. Emerging player in the photonic QC space with similar technology stack overlap (optical components) to OptQC; competing for European photonic QC customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OptQC social profiles
Digital presenceOptQC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OptQC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
OptQC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors23 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OptQC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OptQC
What does OptQC do?
OptQC develops and commercializes optical quantum computers based on continuous-variable time-domain multiplexing and an all-optical feedforward (AOFF) architecture originating from the University of Tokyo Furusawa Laboratory. Its systems operate at room temperature without cryogenic cooling, target 10,000 qubits by 2027 and 1 million qubits by 2030, and are aimed at enterprise customers for optimization, AI acceleration, and scientific computing workloads. The company also operates the HIQALI membership program providing early access, training, and use-case co-development services.
Is OptQC a public or private company?
OptQC is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was OptQC founded?
OptQC was founded in 2024. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OptQC based?
OptQC is headquartered in Toshima, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does OptQC make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Optical Quantum Computer Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are machine Access and Cloud Quantum Computing Services.
Who are OptQC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PsiQuantum and Xanadu Quantum Technologies. Broad incumbents are IBM Quantum, Google Quantum AI, Quantinuum, IonQ and Rigetti Computing. Emerging players are QuEra Computing, Pasqal and Quandela.
Does OptQC have an API?
No public API is recorded for OptQC.
What industry is OptQC in?
OptQC's product category is Quantum Computing Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGALAD, Quantum Application Engineering & Solution Delivery Services, with a secondary code of HDAGAIAA, Quantum Cloud Infrastructure & QPU Hosting. Its NAICS code is 3341 and its SIC code is 3571.