Quanfluence raises $10 million to build photonic quantum computers by 2029

Quanfluence, a Bengaluru-based startup specialising in photonic quantum computing, has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Chiratae Ventures. The round also saw participation from Rainmatter by Zerodha and existing investor Pi Ventures. The funds will accelerate the development of a four-qubit quantum computer and a larger prototype targeting 100 qubits by 2029.

What’s happening

Bengaluru-based startup Quanfluence has secured $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Chiratae Ventures, with participation from Rainmatter by Zerodha and existing investor Pi Ventures. According to Entrackr and YourStory, this round builds on a $2 million seed round led by Pi Ventures in December 2024.

The startup plans to use the fresh capital to develop and launch a four-qubit quantum computer in the near term. Quanfluence is also targeting a larger prototype with around 100 qubits by 2029, aiming to create a fault-tolerant, general-purpose quantum computer within the next five to six years.

Quanfluence was founded in 2021 and incubated at the IIT Madras Incubation Cell. The company focuses on photonic quantum computing, a technology that uses light particles (photons) to process quantum information. This approach operates at room temperature and is designed to complement AI in solving optimisation problems.

Technology and progress

Quanfluence’s hardware-based solution includes an optical Ising machine, which uses light waves and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for optimisation processing. The company claims its system can be up to 100 times faster than classical computing for specific workloads. It is currently testing an advanced version capable of processing 10-25 million permutations for complex optimisation problems.

The startup has already designed and fabricated multiple photonic and electronic integrated circuits. It has also productised a photonic Ising machine, a specialised system for optimisation problems, and several of its quantum devices are commercially available.

The company’s roadmap includes launching early processors in 2027 and scaling up to larger, scalable machines by 2029.

Market and government support

Quanfluence is part of a growing ecosystem of quantum computing startups in India, including QpiAI, BQP, and QuBeats, all of which have recently raised significant funding. QpiAI secured $32 million in Series A funding in July 2025, while BQP raised about $5 million in seed funding this year. QuBeats, another competitor, raised $15 million in its first institutional round in April.

The Indian government’s National Quantum Mission, approved in 2023 with a budget of Rs 6,003.65 crore, is supporting the development of quantum technologies, including photonic quantum computing. The mission covers quantum computing, communications, sensing, and materials, reflecting the government’s commitment to advancing the sector.

Founders’ background

Quanfluence was founded by Sujoy Chakravarty, Ravi Mehta, Biman Chattopadhyay, Anil Prabhakar, Aditi Vaidya, and Sandeep Goyal. The founding team previously built Silicon and Beyond, a semiconductor intellectual property company acquired by Synopsys. This experience positions Quanfluence to leverage semiconductor expertise in its quantum hardware development.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Quanfluence’s $10 million funding round signals growing investor confidence in photonic quantum computing as a viable path to scalable, room-temperature quantum systems. For founders and operators, this deal highlights three trends:

First, deeptech funding in India is expanding beyond software and AI into hardware-heavy sectors like quantum computing. The participation of Chiratae Ventures, a firm with a track record in scaling IndTech startups, suggests that quantum hardware is now seen as a commercial opportunity, not just a research project.

Second, the startup’s focus on optimisation problems—rather than general-purpose quantum computing—reflects a pragmatic approach. By targeting industries like logistics, finance, and manufacturing, Quanfluence is positioning itself to deliver near-term value, even as it works toward larger, fault-tolerant systems. This aligns with a broader shift in quantum computing, where startups are prioritising specific use cases over theoretical breakthroughs.

Finally, the involvement of the National Quantum Mission underscores the role of government initiatives in shaping India’s deeptech landscape. For founders, this means that aligning with national priorities—whether in quantum, semiconductors, or AI—can unlock not just funding but also regulatory support and partnerships with public research institutions.

Key takeaways

• Quanfluence secured $10 million in Series A funding, led by Chiratae Ventures, with participation from Rainmatter by Zerodha and Pi Ventures.
• The startup is developing photonic quantum computing technology to solve optimisation problems and complement AI.
• Quanfluence aims to launch a four-qubit quantum computer soon and target a 100-qubit prototype by 2029.
• The company has already productised a photonic Ising machine and designed multiple photonic and electronic integrated circuits.
• Government initiatives like the National Quantum Mission are bolstering India’s quantum computing ecosystem.

FAQ

What is Quanfluence’s technology, and how does it work?

Quanfluence develops photonic quantum computing technology, which uses light particles (photons) to process quantum information. Unlike traditional quantum computers that require extreme cooling, its systems operate at room temperature and are designed to solve optimisation problems more efficiently than classical computers.

What will Quanfluence use the $10 million funding for?

The funding will be used to develop and launch a four-qubit quantum computer in the near term and advance toward a larger prototype with around 100 qubits by 2029. The company also plans to scale its team, refine its technology, and bring its quantum devices to market.

How does Quanfluence’s approach differ from other quantum computing startups?

Quanfluence focuses on photonic quantum computing, which operates at room temperature and is optimised for solving specific types of problems, particularly optimisation. This contrasts with other approaches that rely on superconducting qubits or trapped ions, which often require cryogenic cooling and are aimed at broader applications.

What is the National Quantum Mission, and how does it support Quanfluence?

The National Quantum Mission is a government initiative approved in 2023 with a budget of Rs 6,003.65 crore to advance quantum technologies in India. It supports research, development, and commercialisation of quantum computing, communications, and materials, including photonic quantum technologies like those developed by Quanfluence.

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