Originals · Startup · AI & Tech
Quanfluence raises $10 Mn to build a photonic quantum computer in Bengaluru
Chiratae Ventures led the round. The startup already sells an optical Ising machine and is targeting early quantum processors by 2027.
Quanfluence, a Bengaluru-based deeptech startup, has raised $10 Mn in a round led by Chiratae Ventures, with Rainmatter by Zerodha investing and seed backer Pi Ventures returning. Chiratae describes the round as a Series A. Quanfluence raised $2 Mn in a seed round led by Pi Ventures in December 2024.
The company is building a universal quantum computer that uses light. Its plan brings photonic chips it designs itself, control electronics and software into one system, with early processors targeted for 2027 and larger, scalable machines by 2029. Chiratae notes that the chips are made at a commercial silicon nitride foundry rather than a custom fab.
It already has a product on sale. Quanfluence's optical Ising machine uses light waves to work through optimisation problems with many interconnected variables. CEO Sujoy Chakravarty told Inc42 that the company has sold around three machines and runs paid pilots with 10 to 15 corporations, alongside remote access on a usage-based model.
Three of the founders, Chakravarty, Biman Chattopadhyay and Ravi Mehta, previously built the semiconductor IP company Silabtech, which Synopsys acquired in 2018, according to Chiratae. The founding team also includes Prof. Anil Prabhakar of IIT Madras and Prof. Sandeep Goyal of IISER Mohali. Inc42 reports a team of 25, which the company expects to grow to about 40 over the next year.
