The race to harness the power of quantum computing is accelerating, with groundbreaking innovations emerging at an unprecedented pace.
To identify the key players shaping this transformative landscape, we leveraged Linknovate‘s technology scouting and competitive intelligence tool, InnoScout. Our in-depth research has pinpointed the 10 next leaders in quantum computing – companies pushing the boundaries of hardware, software, and applications in the quantum sector.
From portable quantum sensors to integrated quantum systems-on-a-chip and quantum-enhanced drug discovery, these are the innovators to watch as they pave the way for a quantum future. Dive in to explore the pioneering work of Aquark Technologies, Ephos, Equal1, and seven other trailblazing companies poised to revolutionize industries worldwide.
Aquark Technologies
Aquark Technologies specializes in the development of portable and miniaturized hardware for quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications. The company focuses on simplifying quantum technology to make it more accessible and practical for real-world applications. A key part of their innovation is the Supermolasses cooling platform, which aims to improve the scalability and efficiency of quantum systems.
In September 2024, Aquark Technologies secured €5M in seed funding, led by the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF). This investment marks a significant achievement, as Aquark becomes the first organization in NATO’s DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) cohort to receive direct funding. This funding is expected to further accelerate Aquark’s efforts to enhance portable quantum technology and its integration into various industries.
Ephos
Ephos, a start-up based in Milan, designs and produces glass-based integrated photonic circuits for both classical computing and quantum devices. Unlike conventional chip manufacturers that rely on silicon, Ephos uses glass substrates, which help minimize electrical interference, support higher frequencies, and reduce signal loss between nearby circuits.
In 2024, Ephos secured $8.5M in seed funding, including support from the European Innovation Council and NATO’s DIANA, accelerating the launch of its new research and manufacturing facility located in the Milano Innovation District (MIND), one of Europe’s most ambitious technology hubs.
Equal1
Irish quantum computing company Equal1 has developed a quantum system-on-a-chip processor, integrating an entire quantum system onto a single chip. The University College Dublin spin-out, founded by Dr. Dirk Leipold, Mike Asker, and Prof. Robert Staszewski, recently signed a memorandum of understanding with chip giant Nvidia to collaborate on quantum technology use cases and proofs of concept. Even more recently, the company unveiled Bell-1, which it claims to be the first-ever Irish quantum computer and the world’s first silicon-based quantum server designed for data centers and high-performance computing.
IQM
Finnish IQM Quantum Computers develops scalable hardware for universal quantum computers. They focus on superconducting technology and offering cloud services like IQM Resonance for quantum research. The company is set to deliver its IQM Radiance 54-qubit full-stack quantum computer to Cineca, Italy’s leading supercomputing center, in Q4 2025. This system will be integrated into Leonardo, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers in Bologna. Cineca plans to use the quantum computer for quantum cryptography, quantum communication, and AI quantum algorithms.
This marks Cineca’s first on-premises quantum computer and enhances Italy’s role in the global quantum landscape. IQM’s 54-qubit QPU will provide a cutting-edge platform for exploring novel quantum use cases beyond the reach of classical hardware.
Kvantify
This Danish company is applying advanced quantum computing to life sciences, with a focus on enhancing drug discovery processes. By integrating both classical and quantum algorithms, the company aids biotech organizations in accelerating their efforts. Their platform improves the quality of compounds tested in labs by utilizing faster and more accurate physics-based methods. Last year, Kvantify raised €10M in seed funding led by Dreamcraft to further develop its technology.
Multiverse Computing
Multiverse Computing is a quantum computing software company headquartered in Donosti (Basque country, Spain) with additional offices in Paris, Munich, London, Toronto, and Sherbrooke. The company applies artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, and quantum-inspired algorithms to tackle complex problems across various sectors. Their flagship platform, Singularity, enables users with no prior quantum computing experience to leverage quantum algorithms using familiar tools like Microsoft Excel.
Recently, they raised €25M in an equity funding round led by Columbus Venture Partners that values the startup at €100M.
Additionally this year, the Spanish government announced an investment of €67M through the Sociedad Española para la Transformación Tecnológica. This funding aims to position Spain as a leader in AI and quantum computing within Europe.
Pasqal
PASQAL is a French quantum computing company that leverages Nobel Prize-winning technology to develop a full-stack quantum computer for complex phenomena simulation.
Their quantum computers, built with ordered neutral atoms in 2D and 3D arrays, offer superior scalability and embrace the dual analog/digital nature of quantum computing.
In 2024, PASQAL delivered a 100-qubit analog quantum computer to the Jülich Supercomputing Centre in Germany, and collaborated with IBM to create a unified programming model for seamless integration of quantum and classical hardware.
PQShield
PQShield, specializing in post-quantum cryptography (PQC), is leading the charge to protect businesses against the looming threat of quantum-enabled cyberattacks. Founded in 2018 by Oxford academic Ali El Kaafarani, the company has quickly positioned itself at the forefront of the PQC field.
In 2024, PQShield raised $37M in Series B funding to accelerate the global adoption of PQC solutions.
Building on its momentum, PQShield recently made headlines by joining the Cyber Research Consortium (CRC), a group receiving funding from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). This collaboration aims to enhance Japan’s defenses against cyberattacks and improve its cybersecurity infrastructure. As part of the project, PQShield will design and deliver new PQC primitives and protocols to be implemented across Japan’s technology supply chain.
Quandela
Quandela is a French company focused on photonic quantum computing, utilizing semiconductor quantum emitters to generate photonic qubits. In February 2025, the company introduced a hybrid method that reduces resource requirements for fault-tolerant quantum computing by 100,000 times compared to traditional photonic approaches. This innovation lowers the number of components needed for logical qubits and addresses optical transmission challenges. Quandela’s approach supports scalability, reduces manufacturing costs, and lowers energy consumption, with their quantum computers expected to operate below 1MW, significantly less than conventional high-performance computing centers.
Quantinuum
Quantinuum is a quantum computing company formed in 2023 by the merger of Cambridge Quantum and Honeywell Quantum Solutions. It is one of the world’s leading integrated quantum computing companies, combining hardware and software expertise to drive advancements in the field. Last year, the company’s H-Series trapped-ion quantum computers achieved a record quantum volume of 1,048,576, the highest to date.
Recently, their ‘Quantum Origin’ became the first software quantum random number generator to achieve NIST validation and was selected by DARPA to advance to the first stage of quantum benchmarking initiative.
The Quantum Horizon Beckons: Staying Ahead with InnoScout
The ten companies highlighted in this report represent just a snapshot of the dynamic and rapidly evolving quantum computing ecosystem. As our research, powered by Linknovate‘s InnoScout technology scouting and competitive intelligence platform, indicates, innovation is coming from diverse approaches and geographies. Keeping a pulse on these emerging leaders is crucial for businesses seeking to understand and capitalize on the quantum revolution. Stay informed, stay curious, and continue to explore the transformative potential of quantum computing as it unfolds. For deeper insights and to track the next in quantum, leverage tools like InnoScout to maintain a competitive edge.
For more information, book a demo with one of our innovation experts or join a free trial of the tool. Enjoy your technology scouting!
