A*Quantum closes ¥900M Series B extension led by Itochu Technology Ventures
What's the deal? A*Quantum, a Tokyo-based quantum computing startup, has closed a ¥900M (roughly $6M) Series B extension round led by Itochu Technology VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → (ITV). The funding — a mix of equity and debt from nine investors including Abies VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Translink CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and logistics firm SuzuyoDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → — brings A*Quantum's total raised to ¥2B ($13.5M).
Founded in 2018, A*Quantum builds AQCloud, a cloud platform that blends quantum computing with classical algorithms to solve large-scale optimisation problems in logistics, manufacturing, transport, energy, and finance.
The fresh capital will go toward three priorities: scaling AQCloud, developing a proprietary high-speed database, and strengthening the team and balance sheet for international expansion.
Why now? CEO Hiroji Funabashi framed the raise around an intensifying global race for compute power. "Future industrial competitiveness will be determined by how fast and how large-scale your calculations can be," he said. A*Quantum has moved past the R&D and proof-of-concept stages and is now entering what it calls its business expansion phase.
Investor interest also reflects growing demand from enterprise clients. ITV partner Tsuyoshi Ogawa pointed to A*Quantum's hybrid quantum-classical approach for logistics and scheduling optimisation as a key competitive edge, while flagging the startup's new high-speed database as a product with "significant potential."
What could go wrong? Quantum computing remains an early-stage technology, and most practical applications still rely heavily on classical hardware. A*Quantum's hybrid model lowers that risk, but it also means the company competes with established optimisation software vendors that don't carry the "quantum" premium in expectations or burn rate.
Global expansion from Japan is notoriously difficult for deep-tech startups. Translink Capital, which has networks across North America and East Asia, joined partly to help bridge that gap — but execution risk remains high.
The signal: The investor mix here is telling: alongside deep-tech specialists like Abies Ventures and cross-border fund Translink Capital, regional players such as Hiroshima Venture CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Gogin CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → joined the round — a sign that Japan's regional financial institutions are actively seeking quantum and AI solutions to modernise local manufacturing and logistics. With A*Quantum still at the early growth stage according to Dealroom, the ¥2B cumulative raise suggests investors are backing the hybrid quantum-classical approach as a near-term commercial play rather than a long-horizon research bet.
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