Quantum Lock

What Quantum Lock does

Quantum Lock, operating through legal entity Quantal Security Inc, is a Knoxville, Tennessee-based deep-technology startup founded in 2018 by Erica Grant while she was completing her PhD in quantum computing. The company combines Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG) with blockchain-based immutable ledger systems to deliver cyber-resilient physical access control. Its Quantum Lock product targets facilities whose security posture is now entangled with cybersecurity risk, specifically utility substations, factories, and other critical-infrastructure environments, retrofitting existing door locks and access-control systems with quantum-derived encryption keys and tamper-evident event logs. The company holds two granted US patents covering the QRNG lock (US 10,797,872) and tamper-resistant smart factory communications (US 10,990,356), and operates with a small full-time team of founder/CEO, CTO, and principal software engineer supported by advisors.

The company's technology stack rests on two pillars: (1) quantum mechanics-derived randomness that classical pseudo-random number generators cannot reproduce, used to seed encryption keys for both physical lock devices and cloud communications, and (2) an immutable blockchain ledger that records entry events with cryptographic integrity, paired with anomaly-detection notifications and customizable intelligent reporting for facility staff. The system is designed as a retrofit layer that integrates with existing access-control infrastructure rather than replacing it.

Quantum Lock operates a hybrid revenue and go-to-market model. On the hardware side it sells Quantum Lock door-lock and access-control products via an enterprise field-sales motion with quote-based pricing, supported by pilot programs with potential partners such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory and EPB of Chattanooga. On the software side the October 2023 launch of Quantumize, a SaaS API at quantumize.io, monetizes the underlying QRNG capability through pay-as-you-go usage, serving encryption, online gaming fairness, and research simulation use cases on a self-serve, product-led basis. A third revenue vector is licensing royalties on the company's two patents. Cumulative disclosed funding totals approximately $636k, dominated by a ~$500k non-dilutive DOE/ORNL Innovation Crossroads grant with smaller contributions from pitch-competition prizes and a $100k investment tied to the Rice Business Plan Competition, and the company is primarily recognized through the Forbes Next 1000 list (2021) and multiple accelerator/competition placements rather than venture-scale financing.

Name

Quantum Lock

Legal name

Quantal Security Inc

Website

https://quantalsecurity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Quantal Security Inc (operating as Quantum Lock) develops quantum-randomness-based physical access control systems and blockchain-logged security infrastructure for critical facilities, and offers Quantumize, a SaaS API delivering quantum-derived random numbers for encryption, gaming fairness, and research applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quantum-Based Cybersecurity and Physical Access Control

NAICS

Electronic Connector Manufacturing (334417)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHDAGAGAG

Quantum-Safe Identity, Authentication & Digital Signatures

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Quantum Computing/Quantum Cryptography & Post-Quantum Security

SECONDARYHDAGAGAI

Quantum-Safe Data-at-Rest Protection (Storage/Database/File Encryption)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Quantum Computing/Quantum Cryptography & Post-Quantum Security

SECONDARYHDAGAMAI

Quantum Cryptography & Post-Quantum/Quantum-Safe Security Research

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Quantum Computing/Quantum Research & Development (Academic and Industry Research)

Keywords

• Quantum random number generation
• Physical access control
• Blockchain security ledger
• Encryption key generation
• Cyber-resilient security

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Quantumize SaaS API: Quantum random number generation service offered as a SaaS API. Provides true unpredictability for encryption protocols, online gaming fairness, and research simulations. Revenue generated from API usage/ubscription.
2. Physical Security Hardware Products: Quantum Lock system for door locks and access control with quantum-based encryption. Also expanding to securing communication between machinery, computers, or robots at facilities and factories.
3. Licensing Royalties: The company holds two patents (Quantum Random Number Generator Lock, Tamper-Resistant Smart Factory) and offers licensing opportunities for their technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Quantum Lock sells quantum-based physical access control hardware for door locks, gates, and facility/machinery security, combined with a blockchain-backed immutable ledger of entry data and intelligent anomaly detection. Alongside this hardware, the company offers Quantumize, a SaaS API that delivers truly unpredictable quantum random numbers via quantum mechanics for use as encryption keys, gaming fairness proofs, and research simulations. Both offerings target businesses seeking cyber-resilient security primitives that classical pseudo-random systems cannot match.

Product overview

Quantal Security offers two primary products: Quantum Lock, a physical security system for access control that leverages Quantum Random Number Generation and blockchain for tamper-proof data logging; and Quantumize, a standalone SaaS API service that makes the company's QRNG technology available to any business for encryption, gaming, and research applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Quantumize: A cutting-edge service harnessing quantum mechanics to provide truly unpredictable random numbers. Used for encryption protocols, online gaming fairness, and research simulations. Offered as an easy-to-use SaaS API.

Products and services

• Quantum Lock Physical Access Control System Cyber-resilient physical access control hardware for door locks, gates, and facility/machinery security, using quantum random number generation for encryption keys and a blockchain-based immutable ledger to prevent tampering of entry data. Includes enhanced anomaly detection and intelligent reporting for facility staff. Designed to retrofit into existing access-control systems. Targeted at critical-infrastructure, utility, and manufacturing facility operators.
• Quantumize SaaS API Self-serve SaaS API providing quantum random number generation on demand. Generates truly unpredictable random numbers used as secure keys in encryption for secure communication and cloud data storage, fairness proofs for online gaming and lotteries, and random seeding for research simulations. Targeted at software developers, cybersecurity teams, online gaming platforms, and research institutions.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2020Quantum Lock is working closely with the cybersecurity institute at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with principal investigator Peter Fuhr. Development of hardware and software prototypes at ORNL in the cybersecurity group. Goals include alpha testing with ORNL lock system, cybersecurity testing/cyber resilience, and future product development in manufacturing facilities through the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Post-Quantum: UK vendor of quantum-safe secure communications, identity, and encryption products targeted at enterprises preparing for the post-quantum transition. Adjacent overlap with Quantumize's quantum-derived key generation use case.
• EvolutionQ: Quantum-safe cybersecurity consultancy and product company founded by co-authors of the Mosca quantum-threat framework. Comparable quantum-safe security focus, though heavier on advisory/software than hardware.
• Crypto4A Technologies: Canadian company building quantum-safe hardware security modules (HSMs) and platforms. Comparable quantum-safe hardware/security angle, especially relevant given Quantum Lock's hardware access-control product.

Direct peers

• Qubitekk: US-based quantum cryptography company building quantum networks and entanglement-based security for critical infrastructure and utility customers. Overlaps with Quantum Lock's critical-infrastructure access-control focus and DOE-adjacent positioning.
• ID Quantique: Swiss pioneer of quantum cryptography and commercial QRNG hardware/appliances, plus quantum key distribution products. Directly comparable to Quantum Lock's QRNG-based encryption key offering and the same critical-infrastructure buyer persona.
• QuintessenceLabs: Australia/US-based vendor of quantum random number generators and quantum-safe key management, offering a True Entropy Appliance and qRand API service. Head-to-head competitor with Quantumize as a QRNG-as-a-service and with quantum key management.
• MagiQ Technologies: Pioneer US-based quantum cryptography vendor offering quantum key distribution and QRNG solutions for enterprise and government security. Comparable product family (QRNG, quantum-safe key generation) and similarly targets high-security buyers.

Broad incumbents

• Quantinuum: Merged trapped-ion quantum computing leader (Honeywell Quantum Solutions + Cambridge Quantum) offering Quantum Origin, a QRNG/key-generation platform. Direct overlap with Quantumize and Quantum Lock's QRNG thesis at much larger scale.
• IBM Quantum: IBM's quantum division offers cloud access to quantum systems and is exploring quantum-safe cryptography products. Broad incumbent in quantum computing with adjacent capability in quantum-derived randomness and post-quantum security.

Regional players

• QuantumCTek: China's leading commercial quantum cryptography company, offering QKD and QRNG products to government and critical-infrastructure customers. Comparable technology stack and customer type, but primarily competing in Greater China.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quantal-security

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Quantum Lock