What Montana Instruments does

Montana Instruments Corporation, founded in 2010 in Bozeman, Montana and now a subsidiary of Sweden's Atlas Copco Group (acquired November 2022), designs and manufactures closed-cycle cryogenic systems (cryostats) that provide cryogen-free ultra-low temperature environments for quantum research and commercial quantum computing applications. Its platform-and-modules product architecture comprises three configurable cryostat bases (CryoAdvance at 3.2K, Cryostation s200 at 3.6K, Cryostation 200 PT at 4.2K with >250mW cooling capacity, and RapidCycle 100 EC for 4K electrical testing), supported by a family of add-on modules (Cryo-Optic, Magneto-Optic, OneK-Optic reaching 1.2K, the Agile Temperature Sample Mount, and the Rook 3-axis nanopositioner). All systems are controlled by the proprietary Galaxy software platform, which provides touchscreen operation, a REST API for automation, onboard cooldown databases, and remote monitoring. The company holds 15 US patents covering cryogenic architectures and low-vibration microscopy systems.

The company sells primarily through a direct enterprise field sales motion staffed by application engineers who configure systems to customer specifications, with global distribution handled exclusively through Quantum Design's network of regional entities across the US, Europe, China, Japan, Korea, India, ASEAN, Latin America, and ANZ. Revenue streams include one-time hardware system sales, custom engineering services for specialized research applications, and ongoing service/support/maintenance contracts. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The customer base spans 300+ laboratories worldwide, including top US universities (MIT, Stanford, Rice, Iowa State, Montana State), US national laboratories (NIST, Argonne), international research institutions (Niels Bohr Institute, Imperial College London, USTC), and commercial quantum computing developers.

The customer segmentation approach is vertical, with primary emphasis on quantum computing industry (superconducting, trapped ion, photonic, and spin qubit approaches), academic and government research, and secondary emphasis on quantum networking and quantum education. The company employs approximately 38-50 staff and operates from an 8,000+ sq. ft. headquarters in Bozeman. Since the Atlas Copco acquisition, Montana Instruments has secured ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certifications (February 2025) and continues to expand its product line into higher-performance and lower-temperature regimes serving the commercial quantum computing market.

Name

Montana Instruments

Legal name

Montana Instruments Corporation

Website

https://montanainstruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montana Instruments manufactures closed-cycle cryogenic systems (cryostats) and modular add-ons that deliver cryogen-free ultra-low temperature environments for quantum computing, quantum networking, and academic research laboratories worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cryogenic Hardware Systems: Sale of closed-cycle cryostats (CryoAdvance, Cryostation s200, Cryostation 200 PT, RapidCycle 100 EC), optical modules (Cryo-Optic, Magneto-Optic, OneK-Optic), and The Rook nanopositioner. Systems are configurable and sold with various options and accessories. Revenue is one-time per system with potential for upgrades and add-ons.
2. Service and Support: Installation services, training, advanced diagnostics, system maintenance, and technical support. Replacement parts and components for existing systems. Service offerings include onsite installations, operator training, and maintenance programs.
3. Custom Engineering: Custom design and engineering services for challenging applications requiring modifications to standard product offerings, including custom vacuum housings, sample mounts, and specialized configurations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Montana Instruments manufactures closed-cycle optical cryostats (cryogenic systems) that provide cryogen-free ultra-low temperature environments for quantum computing, quantum networking, quantum research, and quantum education applications. The company sells a configurable platform-plus-modules portfolio — core cryostat systems (CryoAdvance, Cryostation s200, Cryostation 200 PT, RapidCycle 100 EC) complemented by optical modules (Cryo-Optic, Magneto-Optic, OneK-Optic), nanopositioners (The Rook), sample mounts (ATSM), the Galaxy control software platform, and custom engineering services.

Product overview

Montana Instruments manufactures a platform-plus-modules portfolio of cryogenic systems for quantum technology research. The core platform family includes three configurable closed-cycle optical cryostats: CryoAdvance (flagship workhorse in 50mm and 100mm variants, 3.2K base), Cryostation s200 (200mm sample space, 3.6K base), and Cryostation 200 PT (high-capacity 200mm platform with >250mW cooling at 4.2K). The RapidCycle 100 EC provides rapid-throughput 4K electrical testing. Add-on modules extend the platforms: Cryo-Optic integrates high-NA optics, Magneto-Optic adds magnetic field capability, OneK-Optic enables 1.2K operation, and The Rook provides 3-axis nanopositioning. The Agile Temperature Sample Mount enables rapid independent temperature control. All systems run on the Galaxy software platform with REST API automation. Custom engineering services build on base platforms for specialized requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CryoAdvance: Flagship configurable closed-cycle optical cryostat product line offering temperatures from 3.2K to 350K.
• Cryostation
• RapidCycle
• Cryo-Optic
• Magneto-Optic
• OneK-Optic
• The Rook
• Galaxy Software

Products and services

• CryoAdvance Flagship configurable workhorse closed-cycle optical cryostat operating from 3.2K to 350K with variable temperature control, cryogen-free operation, touchscreen interface, and modular design with optical, DC, and RF access. For quantum research and commercial quantum technology applications.
• Cryostation s200 Versatile closed-cycle cryostat with 200mm sample space for flexible configuration, operating from below 3.6K to 350K with low thermal fluctuations and nanometer-level vibrations for stable measurements. For quantum photonics research and similar experiments.
• Cryostation 200 PT High-performance cryostat with greater than 250mW cooling at 4.2 Kelvin and large 200mm breadboard sample space, designed for demanding applications in quantum technologies with ultra-stable operation.
• RapidCycle 100 EC Intuitive 4 Kelvin electrical test environment cryostat featuring cooldown to 4.2K in under 1 hour and greater than 300mW cooling capacity for increased throughput in component testing. Designed for high-throughput component testing environments.
• Cryo-Optic Optical module integrating a microscope objective into the Cryostation sample space for ultra-stable, high numerical aperture imaging at cryogenic temperatures with automatic temperature-controlled focus. For quantum photonics and microscopy applications.
• Magneto-Optic Module integrating magnetic fields directly into the cryogenic sample chamber with variable field strength configuration, automatic zeroing, and full sample and optical access preservation. For magneto-optic applications in quantum research.
• OneK-Optic Plug-and-play add-on module enabling 1.2 Kelvin base temperature operation with CryoAdvance 100 systems, providing greater than 8 hours of cooling with automated recycle and sample access for optical, DC, and RF connections. For low-temperature quantum experiments.
• The Rook Nanopositioner Fully integrated 3-axis cryogenic nanopositioner with optimized motion control, excellent multi-axis runout, bi-directional repeatability, and automatic voltage adjustment based on platform temperature. For nanoscale and quantum photonics applications.
• Agile Temperature Sample Mount (ATSM) Sample mount enabling rapid and precise sample temperature control independent from platform temperature, ranging from base to 350K with thermal contraction below 30 micrometers over the entire temperature range. For diverse quantum experiments.
• Galaxy Software In-house control software included with every cryostat, providing centralized hardware control, touchscreen interface, REST API for automation in Python/MATLAB/LabVIEW/C#, and web-based dashboards for remote monitoring. For all Montana Instruments hardware users.
• Custom Engineering Custom engineering services for developing cutting-edge research applications requiring modifications to sample space, custom vacuum housings, and specialized sample mounts, built on base Cryostation platforms. For researchers with unique experimental requirements.
• Service and Support Installation services, operator training, advanced diagnostics, system maintenance, technical support, and replacement parts and components for existing Montana Instruments systems. For all installed customer base.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,000 cryostats produced and deployed in 300+ laboratories worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• MonArk Quantum FoundrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2021Montana Instruments is partnering with Montana State University and University of Arkansas as part of the MonArk Quantum Foundry, a $20 million NSF-funded initiative to accelerate development of quantum materials and devices for 2D materials research.
• National Q-12 Education PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontana Instruments is a founding member of the National Q-12 Education Partnership, launched by White House OSTP and NSF to expand access to K-12 quantum learning tools and inspire next-generation quantum workforce.
• Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontana Instruments is a founding member of QED-C, a consortium managed by SRI International to enable and grow a robust commercial quantum-based industry and supply chain in the United States.
• Montana State University - Cone-Thiel Spectroscopy GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontana Instruments collaborates with Montana State University physics professors Dr. Rufus Cone and Dr. Charlies Thiel on rare-earth doped materials research through QISE-NET program, providing equipment and feedback for cryogenic system design.
• Quantum Information Science and Engineering Network (QISE-NET)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner in QISE-NET, a program funded by NSF and managed through Chicago Quantum Exchange that pairs graduate students with partners in industrial and national labs for quantum workforce training.
• Q2WorkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQ2Work is part of the National Q-12 Education Partnership providing coordination and leadership to bring quantum information science into classrooms and learning environments.
• Quantum Design UK & Ireland Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for United Kingdom and Ireland. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products in these markets.
• Quantum Design EuropecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Benelux, and Scandinavia regions. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products across continental Europe.
• Quantum Design s.r.l.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Italy and Israel. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products in these markets.
• Quantum Design India Pvt. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for India. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products in Indian market.
• Quantum Design ChinacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for China with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products in Chinese market.
• Quantum Design KoreacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Korea. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products in Korean market.
• Quantum Design JapancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Japan with Head Office in Tokyo and Osaka Branch. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products in Japanese market.
• Quantum Design SingaporecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for ASEAN countries. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products across Southeast Asian markets.
• Quantum Design Latin AmericacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Central and South America. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products in Latin American markets.
• Domo-Technica Pty Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Australia and New Zealand. Provides local sales and service support for Montana Instruments products in ANZ markets.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mtinstruments
• Facebookfacebook.com/MontanaInstruments
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montanainstruments

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Montana Instruments