Key takeaways
- Top pick: PsiQuantum, best for: Governments and enterprises planning large-scale quantum computing.
- Also near the top: QuEra Computing, best for: Research centres buying neutral-atom systems; and Atom Computing, best for: Partners building logical-qubit systems.
- How it was ranked: 10 startups compared. Each verdict is below.
Best Quantum Computing Startups: Top 10 Ranked. PsiQuantum ranks first, with a Lister Score of 96.8.
PsiQuantum is the best-funded quantum computing startup globally, building utility-scale photonic machines near Brisbane and in Chicago. QuEra and
Atom Computing lead in neutral-atom hardware,
Oxford Quantum Circuits is the strongest UK hardware maker, and
Quantum Machines and
Classiq are the main picks for control systems and quantum software.
Best Quantum Computing Startups in 2026, compared| RANK | ENTRY | BEST FOR | SCORE | FROM |
|---|
| 1 |  PsiQuantumPsiQuantum raised $1 billion at a $7 billion valuation in September 2025. | Governments and enterprises planning large-scale quantum computing | 96.8 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 2 |  QuEra ComputingQuEra completed a $230 million financing in February 2025. | Research centres buying neutral-atom systems | 95.5 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 3 |  Atom ComputingAtom Computing said in June 2026 it would raise more than $300 million to deploy fault-tolerant neutral-atom computers. | Partners building logical-qubit systems | 94.3 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 4 |  Oxford Quantum CircuitsOQC raised £260 million, about $350 million, in a Series C announced on 3 June 2026. | Enterprises and governments accessing quantum hardware | 93.0 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 5 |  Alice & BobAlice & Bob raised a €100 million Series B in January 2025. | Research centres backing error-resistant qubit designs | 91.7 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 6 |  Quantum MachinesQuantum Machines raised a $170 million Series C on 25 February 2025. | Labs and hardware makers that need qubit control systems | 90.4 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 7 |  ClassiqClassiq raised a $110 million Series C in May 2025. | Enterprises building quantum software skills | 89.1 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 8 |  RiverlaneRiverlane raised $75 million in a Series C in August 2024. | Quantum computer makers adding error correction | 87.8 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 9 |  PhotonicPhotonic raised $100 million in a round led by BCI and Microsoft. | Partners exploring networked quantum computing | 86.4 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 10 |  Q-CTRLQ-CTRL increased its Series B to $113 million, led by GP Bullhound. | Teams getting better results from current quantum hardware | 85.1 | Custom |
|---|
|
|
How to choose
Start from what you need it for. Where each entry fits best:
- PsiQuantum (#1): Governments and enterprises planning large-scale quantum computing
- QuEra Computing (#2): Research centres buying neutral-atom systems
- Atom Computing (#3): Partners building logical-qubit systems
- Oxford Quantum Circuits (#4): Enterprises and governments accessing quantum hardware
- Alice & Bob (#5): Research centres backing error-resistant qubit designs
- Quantum Machines (#6): Labs and hardware makers that need qubit control systems
- Classiq (#7): Enterprises building quantum software skills
- Riverlane (#8): Quantum computer makers adding error correction
- Photonic (#9): Partners exploring networked quantum computing
- Q-CTRL (#10): Teams getting better results from current quantum hardware
Each entry's full verdict is below.
The ranking, in detail
01
Photonic fault-tolerant quantum computers
PsiQuantum, founded in 2015 and based in Palo Alto, California, builds fault-tolerant quantum computers using photonic qubits made with standard semiconductor processes. It raised a $1 billion Series E at a $7 billion valuation in September 2025 and is building sites near Brisbane, Australia and in Chicago.
PROS- Chips made in commercial fabs
- Major government backing in Australia and the US
CONS- No commercial machine yet
- Depends on an unproven scale-up
- Best for
- Governments and enterprises planning large-scale quantum computing
- Where it falls short
- No commercial machine yet.
- Pick something else if
- you need a working quantum computer today.
96.8
02
Neutral-atom quantum computers
QuEra Computing, founded in 2018 and based in Boston, builds neutral-atom quantum computers for on-premises installation and cloud access, including through Amazon Braket. It completed a $230 million financing in February 2025.
PROS- Strong error-correction research
- Cloud and on-premise options
CONS- Smaller company than the technology giants
- Price not published
- Best for
- Research centres buying neutral-atom systems
- Where it falls short
- Buyers cannot see the price before purchasing.
- Pick something else if
- you need transparent pricing upfront.
95.5
03
Large neutral-atom qubit arrays
Atom Computing, founded in 2018 and based in Berkeley, California, builds neutral-atom quantum computers and works with Microsoft on error-corrected systems. Denmark's EIFO and the Novo Nordisk Foundation bought one of its machines in July 2025, and in June 2026 the company said it would raise more than $300 million.
PROS- Large qubit arrays
- Partnership with Microsoft
CONS- First large deliveries still ahead
- Price not published
- Best for
- Partners building logical-qubit systems
- Where it falls short
- Buyers cannot see the cost because the price is not published.
- Pick something else if
- you need to know the exact price before committing.
94.3
04
Superconducting quantum computers
Oxford Quantum Circuits, founded in 2017 in the UK, builds superconducting quantum computers and installs them in commercial data centres. It raised £260 million in a Series C led by Bullhound Capital in June 2026.
PROS- Systems deployed on three continents
- Large recent funding round
CONS- Practical quantum advantage still ahead for most uses
- Price not published
- Best for
- Enterprises and governments accessing quantum hardware
- Where it falls short
- It does not publish pricing, so you cannot determine costs upfront.
- Pick something else if
- you need transparent pricing before committing.
93.0
05
Cat-qubit quantum computers
Alice & Bob, founded in 2020 in Paris, builds quantum computers based on cat qubits, which are designed to suppress errors in hardware. It raised a €100 million Series B in January 2025 and unveiled its first quantum system, Helium, in June 2026, when France announced it had bought a cat-qubit computer.
PROS- Error-resistant qubit design
- French government as a customer
CONS- Early-stage hardware
- Price not published
- Best for
- Research centres backing error-resistant qubit designs
- Where it falls short
- It is early-stage hardware with prices not published.
- Pick something else if
- you need a mature product with clear pricing.
91.7
06
Control systems for quantum computers
Quantum Machines, founded in 2018 in Tel Aviv, makes the control hardware and software that quantum computer builders and labs use to run their qubits. It raised a $170 million Series C in February 2025.
PROS- Works across many qubit types
- Sells to labs and hardware makers today
CONS- Growth tied to hardware makers' progress
- Price not published
- Best for
- Labs and hardware makers that need qubit control systems
- Where it falls short
- Buyers cannot see the price before purchasing.
- Pick something else if
- you need to know costs upfront.
90.4
07
Software for designing quantum algorithms
Classiq, founded in 2020 in Tel Aviv, makes a software platform for designing, optimising and running quantum algorithms on hardware from different makers. It raised a $110 million Series C in May 2025, which it called the largest quantum software round to date.
PROS- Works across hardware vendors
- Useful before large quantum computers arrive
CONS- Value depends on hardware maturity
- Enterprise pricing
- Best for
- Enterprises building quantum software skills
- Where it falls short
- Value depends on hardware maturity.
- Pick something else if
- you need lower costs.
89.1
08
Quantum error correction
Riverlane, founded in 2016 in Cambridge, UK, builds Deltaflow, a quantum error-correction stack of hardware and software for quantum computer makers. It raised $75 million in a Series C in August 2024.
PROS- Works with many quantum hardware types
- Addresses the main barrier to useful quantum computing
CONS- Depends on the progress of hardware makers
- Latest funding older than peers
- Best for
- Quantum computer makers adding error correction
- Where it falls short
- Its progress depends on the pace of hardware makers.
- Pick something else if
- you need independent hardware development.
87.8
09
Distributed quantum computing with spin-photon qubits
Photonic, founded in 2016 and based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, builds distributed quantum computers that link silicon spin qubits with photons so machines can be networked. It raised $100 million in a round led by BCI and Microsoft.
PROS- Designed to network qubits across chips
- Microsoft as investor and partner
CONS- Early-stage hardware
- Price not published
- Best for
- Partners exploring networked quantum computing
- Where it falls short
- Early-stage hardware and unpublished pricing may hinder immediate adoption.
- Pick something else if
- you need proven stability or clear costs now.
86.4
10
Error-suppression software and quantum navigation
Q-CTRL, founded in 2017 and based in Sydney, makes software that reduces errors on today's quantum computers, including Fire Opal, and develops quantum sensing for navigation. Its Series B reached $113 million, led by GP Bullhound.
PROS- Software works on today's machines
- Second business in quantum navigation
CONS- Smaller funding than hardware leaders
- Enterprise pricing
- Best for
- Teams getting better results from current quantum hardware
- Where it falls short
- Smaller funding than hardware leaders.
- Pick something else if
- you need lower costs for a small team.
85.1
Put your company on this ranking
Ask us for a quote for one, two or three years. Nothing recurring.
Positions #4 to #10 are available on request. Contact us.
Not on this ranking?Tell us about your company and we will reply by email.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Quantum Computing Startups?
PsiQuantum ranks first on Lister. PsiQuantum, founded in 2015 and based in Palo Alto, California, builds fault-tolerant quantum computers using photonic qubits made with standard semiconductor processes. It raised a $1 billion Series E at a $7 billion valuation in September 2025 and is building sites near Brisbane, Australia and in Chicago.
What are the top 10 Quantum Computing Startups?
1. PsiQuantum; 2. QuEra Computing; 3. Atom Computing; 4. Oxford Quantum Circuits; 5. Alice & Bob; 6. Quantum Machines; 7. Classiq; 8. Riverlane; 9. Photonic; 10. Q-CTRL.
Some links on Lister are affiliate links. Rankings are not affected.
Related rankings
