The landscape of quantum hardware development is witnessing a significant consolidation of resources as Mitsubishi Electric and OptQC formalize an expanded strategic partnership. This collaboration follows OptQC’s successful Series A2 funding round, which raised JPY 7 billion (approximately $47 million USD). The injection of capital brings OptQC's total funding to a milestone of over JPY 20 billion, providing the necessary runway for large-scale hardware engineering.
Central to this initiative is the ambitious development of a 10,000-qubit optical processor. By leveraging OptQC's specialized expertise in optical quantum computing, the partnership seeks to push the boundaries of scalability and coherence. The funding will also facilitate the establishment of a new research and development facility in Tokyo, serving as a hub for engineering breakthroughs in quantum hardware.
Mitsubishi Electric’s involvement is underscored by its participation in the Series A2 round via the ME Innovation Fund. Beyond financial backing, the industrial giant is actively involved in the technical roadmap, currently leading two national quantum hardware control projects. This dual role as both an investor and a technical lead highlights Mitsubishi’s commitment to integrating quantum capabilities into the broader industrial ecosystem.
This synergy between a major industrial manufacturer and a specialized quantum startup represents a critical step toward commercializing quantum processors. By combining Mitsubishi’s industrial scale and control systems with OptQC’s optical architecture, the partnership aims to overcome significant hardware bottlenecks, moving the needle closer to practical, high-qubit quantum computation.