How Bengaluru Startups QpiAI & QNu Labs Are Powering India’s Quantum Technology Future

QpiAI & QNu, two pioneering Bengaluru startups, are powering India’s deep tech ambitions and leading the country’s quantum revolution.. As the National Quantum Mission (NQM) gains momentum, these pioneering firms are pushing boundaries in quantum computing and quantum-safe cybersecurity, setting a global benchmark for innovation and impact.

The Rise of India’s Quantum Ecosystem

The National Quantum Mission is a critical government-led initiative advancing India’s technological prowess in quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials. Since its launch in 2023, it has backed eight startups, including QpiAI and QNu Labs, providing funding, infrastructure, and strategy to scale their solutions globally. TechCrunchAnalytics India Magazine

This bold initiative aligns with India’s push for technological sovereignty and global leadership in the burgeoning quantum economy.

QpiAI – Building India’s Quantum Superpower

The QpiAI-Indus Quantum Computer

In April 2025, QpiAI unveiled the Indus, a 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer the first full-stack system in India. Combining advanced quantum processors with AI-powered software, cryogenic hardware, and hybrid quantum-classical optimization, the system is designed for enterprise applications across pharma, logistics, and materials science. 

Quantum Ambitions & Expansion

Fueling its rapid growth, QpiAI raised $32 million in a Series A round co-led by Avataar Ventures and the National Quantum Mission. The capital supports utility-scale quantum systems and international expansion.

QpiAI has also partnered with L&T-Cloudfiniti to enable an AI-quantum ecosystem via Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS), targeting scalable, industry-ready quantum solutions. The Economic TimesLarsen & Toubro

Karnataka’s Quantum Crown

Amid claims of India’s first quantum computer being built in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka’s Science Minister highlighted that the Indus system has been operational since April 2025, serving critical sectors like healthcare and defense. This underscores Bengaluru’s edge in India’s quantum landscape.

QNu Labs – Securing the Quantum Frontier

Cybersecurity with Quantum Resilience

QNu Labs specialises in quantum-safe cybersecurity, including quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum random number generators (QRNG), and the QShield platform. Backed by substantial funding from the NQM and investors like Tenacity Ventures, QNu’s innovations bolster India’s digital resilience. Analytics India MagazineWikipedia

Developing Quantum Talent

QNu Labs launched QNu Academy, a training program for students, educators, and professionals in quantum technologies and post-quantum cryptography. With hands-on labs, industry partnerships, and placement support, it aims to fill the talent gap in this cutting-edge field. 

Defense-Grade Quantum Solutions

In collaboration with ISRO and IN-SPACe, QNu Labs is exploring satellite-based QKD, providing ultra-secure communication across long distances—strengthening national security infrastructure.

Why These Startups Matter for India

• Strengthening India’s quantum sovereignty: QpiAI and QNu Labs show that deep tech can be developed indigenously and globally competitive.
  
• Cross-sectoral impact: From drug discovery and logistics optimization to unbreakable drone communication, their technologies are designed for real-world impact.
  
• Building quantum infrastructure: Partnerships with educational institutes, defense bodies, and enterprise clients underpin ecosystem growth.
  
• Talent creation & ecosystem development: QNu Academy and research hubs in Bengaluru are training future quantum engineers.
  

Challenges Ahead

Despite enormous strides, Indian quantum startups face hurdles:

• Scaling qubits to fault-tolerance thresholds.
  
• Complex hardware manufacturing and supply-chain integration.
  
• Global competition from the U.S. and China in quantum hardware.
  
• Needs for enhanced policy clarity, regulation, and national computing infrastructure.
  

Looking Ahead: India’s Quantum Future

By 2030, India is set to become a global hub for quantum innovation. The government’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) will continue to drive research and support startups across quantum computing, sensing, and materials. Startups like QpiAI and QNu Labs are expected to play a leading role in this transformation, ensuring India remains competitive with the world’s top quantum ecosystems.

QpiAI has ambitious plans to scale its systems from 64 qubits to 100 logical qubits, opening doors to breakthroughs in advanced simulations, secure communications, and AI-driven applications. Alongside this, NQM will expand funding and infrastructure to accelerate the growth of quantum startups in Bengaluru and across India, creating opportunities in secure networks, next-gen cryptography, and quantum hardware.

With this roadmap, India’s quantum future looks strong—powered by deep-tech visionaries and pioneering startups that are building solutions not just for India, but for the global market.