Quanfluence raises $10M for photonic quantum computing push

Bengaluru-based quantum computing startup Quanfluence has raised $10 million in a funding round led by Chiratae Ventures. The company plans to use the capital to build a full-stack photonic quantum computer, targeting early processors by 2027 and scalable machines by 2029.

The round was first reported by Inc42, which also disclosed the startup’s roadmap. Quanfluence’s approach relies on photonic qubits, a less proven but potentially more scalable alternative to superconducting or trapped-ion systems. The technology remains experimental, with no commercial photonic quantum computer yet demonstrated.

Chiratae’s investment may signal growing interest in deeptech hardware, a category that has struggled to attract capital in India. The $10 million round is smaller than some global quantum computing funding rounds but aligns with early-stage bets seen in other markets.

Quanfluence’s timeline suggests ambition, though the startup has not disclosed details on qubit count, error rates, or pilot customers. The 2027 target for early processors would place it among the more aggressive roadmaps in the field.

The funding follows a wave of deeptech investments in India, including CurvetAI’s ₹6 crore pre-seed in October and Uplift Ventures’ €100 million European fund announced last month. Unlike those, Quanfluence is betting on hardware, not software—a riskier proposition given the capital-intensive nature of quantum computing development.

Sources: yourstory.com