Bangalore-based photonic quantum technology startup Quanfluence has raised $2 million in a seed funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from Golden Sparrow, Reena Dayal, and others. Reena Dayal, the Founder and CEO of the Quantum Ecosystems and Technology Council of India (QETCI), also participated in this funding round. The funds will be utilized to scale Quanfluence’s optimization technologies and accelerate the development of a general-purpose quantum computer.
As the demand for data-driven decision-making grows, industries face increasingly complex optimization challenges. These problems require processing vast datasets and evaluating billions of possibilities, which classical computers struggle to handle due to their inherent computational limitations. Similarly, quantum computers, though promising, face challenges related to hardware instability, noise, and scalability.
Quanfluence’s breakthrough solution leverages photonic-based quantum technology to address these challenges. Their optical Ising machine uses light waves manipulated through advanced photonic circuits and high-speed field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). This combination allows the system to process hundreds of interconnected variables simultaneously, offering scalability and energy efficiency.
Their current system can handle 128 interconnected variables (~10,000 permutations) and has been successfully piloted with select customers. A more advanced version capable of processing 10-25 million permutations is scheduled for release next quarter, aimed at addressing real-world optimization problems such as financial risk management, logistics, workforce scheduling, and delivery route optimization.
Quanfluence is also working towards its ambitious goal of developing a general-purpose quantum computer using the continuous variable paradigm of photonics. This quantum computer, expected to be ready within the next five to six years, would showcase India’s capabilities in delivering world-class innovation in quantum technology.
Speaking about the funding milestone, Sujoy Chakravarty, Co-Founder and CEO of Quanfluence, said:
“This funding is a significant milestone for us, reinforcing our vision to pioneer quantum computing from India. It enables us to enhance our photonic-based technologies, scale the optimizer, and accelerate the development of our general-purpose quantum computer. We deeply appreciate the trust and support of our investors, who share our belief in the transformative potential of quantum computing.”
Founded in 2021 by Sujoy Chakravarty, Ravi Mehta, Biman Chattopadhyay, Prof. Anil Prabhakar, Aditi Vaidya, and Prof. Sandeep Goyal, and incubated in the IITM Incubation Centre, Quanfluence is committed to advancing India’s role as a global leader in quantum innovation. With all R&D and hardware development housed at its Bangalore center, Quanfluence’s multidisciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and deep-tech professionals is uniquely positioned to showcase India’s capabilities in quantum technology.