OIST Spin-Out Qubitcore Raises JPY 1.53B for Ion-Trap Quantum Computing

Led by SBI Investment, the round will fund R&D, partnerships, and hiring for Qubitcore’s distributed ion-trap architecture with photonic interconnects.

Qubitcore Inc., an ion-trap quantum computing startup spun out of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), today announced that it has completed a JPY 1.53 billion, approximately US$9.6 million, seed round through a third-party allotment of preferred shares.

The round was led by SBI Investment, with participation from 12 investors. Participating investors include SBI Investment as lead investor, Abies Ventures, Nissay Capital, Lifetime Ventures, Dual Bridge Capital, Daiwa House Ventures, Yanmar Ventures, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Blue Lab, SMBC Venture Capital, Bank of the Ryukyus, and Canal Ventures.

Qubitcore previously completed a pre-seed round in January 2025 led by Lifetime Ventures. With this latest round, the company will accelerate the R&D and commercialization of a quantum optical interconnect interface based on micro-optical cavities and a distributed ion-trap quantum computing architecture, building on research outcomes from OIST.

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Funding Background and Use of Proceeds

Quantum computing requires long-term research and development investment before broad social implementation. As practical quantum computing advances, it is expected to affect sectors including drug discovery, materials, finance, logistics, manufacturing, energy, climate-related simulation, and AI. Qubitcore believes it is important to deepen R&D while building early relationships with future customers, demonstration partners, and the broader ecosystem.

Qubitcore will allocate the funding to three priorities: accelerating R&D for a distributed ion-trap quantum computing architecture using multiple photonic interconnects based on micro-optical cavities; developing partners for joint research, demonstration, and business collaboration; and expanding hiring and organizational capabilities across research, engineering, business, finance, and corporate functions.

Qubitcore’s Business and Technology

Qubitcore aims to develop fault-tolerant universal quantum computers, or FTQC, for computational challenges that are difficult for conventional computers, including drug discovery, materials and energy materials design, climate-related simulation, and high-speed, energy-efficient AI model training.

At the core of Qubitcore’s approach is a photonic interconnect interface that integrates micro-optical cavities, enabling efficient interaction between qubits and photons. The company’s technology is based on research from the Experimental Quantum Information Physics Unit led by Assistant Professor Hiroki Takahashi at OIST. Qubitcore entered into an exclusive license agreement with OIST in July 2025 and was selected as an EY Innovative Startup 2026 by Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC in March 2026.

Technological Strengths

Qubitcore’s core technology, which forms a key part of its patent portfolio, offers three primary advantages.

First, high-efficiency coupling between light and qubits via micro-optical cavities. A proprietary cavity design strengthens the interaction between qubits and photons, enabling fast and stable optical connections between multiple modules.

Second, a distributed quantum computing architecture via multiplexed photonic interconnects. By connecting multiple quantum processing units (QPUs) with light, Qubitcore seeks to overcome the scalability limitations of single-module systems and provide a clear path toward practical FTQC.

Third, end-to-end in-house validation, from components to full systems. Qubitcore develops not only micro-optical cavity devices but also the ion-trap quantum computer systems that integrate them. By building process capabilities based on semiconductor microfabrication technology, the company pursues system-level performance improvements and helps shorten the lead time to deployment for future customers and partners.

Development Roadmap

Qubitcore is advancing development along a phased roadmap at OIST in Okinawa. The company plans to launch a cloud-accessible prototype quantum computer in 2026, present a small-scale Early-FTQC with quantum error correction in 2028, and present a second-generation system connecting multiple QPUs with light in 2029.

In addition to quantum computing, Qubitcore sees potential future applications of its high-precision QPU technology in quantum repeater systems that support long-distance quantum networks. Through collaboration with companies specializing in quantum repeaters and telecommunications operators, Qubitcore aims to contribute to the realization of quantum networks and the quantum internet.

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