University of Science and Technology of China
USTC is a top Chinese national research university under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, based in Hefei, that produces STEM talent and operates world-leading quantum computing (Zuchongzhi, Jiuzhang) and quantum communication infrastructure spanning 12,000+ km serving 6.8 million users.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersHefei, China
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Science and Technology of China does
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) is a public national research university founded in 1958 in Hefei, Anhui Province, operating under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It enrolls 40,000+ undergraduate and graduate students with 4,700+ academic faculty, offering 11 dual first-class disciplines, 34 doctoral programs, and an integrated National Excellence Engineer College with 962 engineering mentors. USTC is a global leader in quantum technology, operating the Zuchongzhi series of superconducting quantum processors (notably 105- and 107-qubit systems achieving world-record fidelity and below-threshold error correction) and the Jiuzhang series of photonic quantum computers (3,050 photons, 10^54 quantum advantage ratio). It also operates the world's largest operational quantum communication network spanning 12,000+ km with 145 backbone nodes across 80 cities in 17 provinces, plus the Jinan-1 quantum microsatellite enabling a 12,900 km Beijing-South Africa intercontinental link.
USTC's business model is anchored on three revenue streams: (1) government educational funding as a national key university under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, (2) research grants and contracts from national research programs, provincial government, and industry collaborators, and (3) technology transfer, patent licensing, and spin-off commercialization, notably through the China Telecom Quantum partnership serving 6.8 million commercial quantum communication users. Tuition is regulated and publicly disclosed by the Chinese Ministry of Education, and many graduate students receive government-funded stipends. The university's go-to-market operates through academic enrollment (Gaokao, graduate admissions, international student programs), industry collaboration via the National Excellence Engineer College, and applied research partnerships with state-owned enterprises such as Huawei, National Energy Group, and Hefei National Laboratory.
Beyond quantum, USTC has expanded into adjacent frontier research areas, including the BSense 5G-A drone detection system (96% precision at 1,000m), the HiAR video generation framework co-developed with Tencent Hunyuan, and an AI-Robotic Scientist Lab with Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Its value proposition is fundamentally strategic: USTC serves as China's primary academic engine for quantum computing, quantum communication, and deep-tech talent cultivation, with its competitive advantage rooted in sovereign backing, world-leading research output validated by NREL, Nature, and Science, and a unique scale of national quantum infrastructure.
University of Science and Technology of China firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Science and Technology of China
- Legal name
- University of Science and Technology of China
- Website
- https://ustc.edu.cn
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- USTC is a top Chinese national research university under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, based in Hefei, that produces STEM talent and operates world-leading quantum computing (Zuchongzhi, Jiuzhang) and quantum communication infrastructure spanning 12,000+ km serving 6.8 million users.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Science and Technology of China industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education and Research University
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Satellite Telecommunications (5174)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Communications Services, Nec (4899)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quantum Tech Commercialization, IP, Tech Transfer & Venture Research (HDAGAMAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships (EDAHAEAG), Quantum Education, Workforce Development & Academic Centers (HDAGAMAM), Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis (EDAHAAAD)
Keywords
Where University of Science and Technology of China is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hefei
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices6 records
Markets served
University of Science and Technology of China business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Government Educational Funding: As a national key university under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, USTC receives substantial government funding for education and research operations.
- Research Grants and Contracts: Funding from national research programs, provincial government, and collaborative research projects with industry partners through the National Excellence Engineer College.
- Technology Transfer and Commercialization: Revenue generated through technology transfer, patents licensing, and spin-off companies from university research成果.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard undergraduate tuition rates |
| Subscription | Annual | Graduate programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
University of Science and Technology of China product offering
Product offeringCore offering
USTC is a public research university under the Chinese Academy of Sciences that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in science, engineering, and technology. It conducts fundamental and applied research across quantum computing, quantum communication, materials science, and other strategic fields, and operates the world's largest national quantum communication network spanning 12,000+ km. The university also cultivates engineering talent and commercializes research outcomes through its National Excellence Engineer College and technology transfer programs.
Product overview
The University of Science and Technology of China operates as a leading research university with major quantum computing and communication technology programs. The institution's product portfolio centers on quantum computing hardware (Zuchongzhi series superconducting processors and Jiuzhang series photonic quantum computers), quantum communication infrastructure (China's national quantum network spanning 12,000+ km), and specialized research systems. The quantum computing offerings include superconducting qubit systems (Zuchongzhi 3.0 with 105 qubits, Zuchongzhi 3.2 with 107 qubits) and photonic systems (Jiuzhang 4.0 manipulating 3,050 photons). The quantum communication infrastructure includes the national fiber network, Xinghan-2 relay systems, and the Jinan-1 quantum microsatellite. Additionally, USTC has developed applied systems like BSense for 5G-A drone detection. These products represent cutting-edge research outputs rather than commercial offerings, positioned for national strategic applications in computing, secure communications, and sensing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zuchongzhi 3.0 Superconducting Quantum Computer
- Zuchongzhi 3.2 Superconducting Processor
- Jiuzhang 4.0 Photonic Quantum Computer
- China National Quantum Communication Network
- Jinan-1 Quantum Microsatellite
- Undergraduate Education Programs
- Graduate Education Programs
- National Excellence Engineer College Programs
- Technology Transfer and Commercialization Services
Quantifiable outcome
- World record: 1,002 km fiber-based QKD and 12,900 km satellite-based QKD
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Science and Technology of China
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
University of Science and Technology of China technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability11 records
Feature6 records
University of Science and Technology of China partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Tsinghua University and University of StrathclydemajorJoint research on twin-field quantum key distribution achieving 1.57 Mbps secure key rate over 201.1 km fiber, a ten-fold improvement over previous systems.
- Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool UniversitymajorCollaboration on AI-Robotic Scientist Lab establishing a closed-loop 'self-driving lab' combining autonomous AI scientist system with high-throughput robotic experimental platform.
- China Telecom QuantumcoreJoint construction of Quantum Information Engineer Technology Center, focusing on quantum communication, quantum cryptography, and quantum network technologies. Commercializes quantum communication services serving 6.8 million users.
- Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool UniversitymajorJoint symposium on AI robotic chemistry research covering computational chemistry, autonomous laboratories, and fluorescence enhancement in materials.
- Huawei TechnologiesmajorCollaboration through Future Network Engineer Technology Center and Data Communication Engineer Technology Center. Joint curriculum development including 'New Generation Network Information Technology' and 'Network Security Advanced Technology' courses.
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tongji University, Tencent HunyuanmajorCollaboration on HiAR video generation framework development. The team developed hierarchical denoising framework addressing temporal drift in autoregressive video generation.
- Tencent HunyuanmajorCollaboration on video generation research with HiAR framework achieving 0.257 Drift Score on VBench benchmark and 1.8x inference acceleration.
- National Energy Group Anhui Hefei CompanymajorJoint construction of production-education integration training center. The center integrates national energy group resources with USTC's engineering education advantages to build a comprehensive talent cultivation platform in smart power generation, green materials, and energy technology.
- Hefei National LaboratorycoreJoint construction of Quantum Technology Engineer Center focusing on quantum precision measurement, quantum devices, quantum computing, and quantum-like intelligence research and talent cultivation.
- Chinese Academic Institutions (Various)majorCollaborative research on AI-based air pollution monitoring using satellite data, developing methods combining physical spectral retrieval with Spherical Fourier Neural Operator.
- Chinese Academy of Sciences - Institute of MechanicsmajorResearch collaboration on low-altitude hypersonic flight technology for sea-skimming hypersonic missiles under CAS Stable Support Programme for Basic Research Youth Teams.
- Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen UniversitymajorJoint development of hybrid-integrated photonic quantum chip combining deterministic solid-state atomic single-photon sources with lithium niobate thin films.
- International Research InstitutionsmajorGlobal patent landscape study on photonic QKD technology identifying approximately 30 institutional assignees across 15 countries, with UK, China, and US dominating high-impact research.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
University of Science and Technology of China competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Science and Technology of China social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Science and Technology of China financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Science and Technology of China leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
University of Science and Technology of China subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
University of Science and Technology of China funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Science and Technology of China M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of Science and Technology of China
What does University of Science and Technology of China do?
USTC is a public research university under the Chinese Academy of Sciences that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in science, engineering, and technology. It conducts fundamental and applied research across quantum computing, quantum communication, materials science, and other strategic fields, and operates the world's largest national quantum communication network spanning 12,000+ km. The university also cultivates engineering talent and commercializes research outcomes through its National Excellence Engineer College and technology transfer programs.
Is University of Science and Technology of China a public or private company?
University of Science and Technology of China is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Science and Technology of China founded?
University of Science and Technology of China was founded in 1958. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is University of Science and Technology of China based?
University of Science and Technology of China is headquartered in Hefei, China, in the Asia region.
How does University of Science and Technology of China make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Educational Funding is the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Contracts and technology Transfer and Commercialization.
Does University of Science and Technology of China have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Science and Technology of China.
What industry is University of Science and Technology of China in?
University of Science and Technology of China's product category is Higher Education and Research University. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGAMAN, Quantum Tech Commercialization, IP, Tech Transfer & Venture Research, with a secondary code of EDAHAEAG, Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships. Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 3576.