Q-CTRL raised $290 million in a Series C led by Salesforce Ventures to expand quantum-computing software and navigation systems that work without GPS, the company announced November 12.
Its software tackles errors that can undermine quantum calculations and sensor readings. Fire Opal helps researchers run calculations on quantum processors, while Ironstone Opal combines quantum sensors and software to locate vehicles without satellite signals.
Q-CTRL said investor demand led it to enlarge the round twice. Other backers included Bullhound Capital, Affinity Partners and AMD Ventures.
The new round is more than twice the $113 million Series B total Q-CTRL announced in October 2024. That total included a $59 million extension led by GP Bullhound, with Salesforce Ventures also participating.
On November 5, Q-CTRL made its Dynamics Simulator available through IBM’s Quantum Platform for materials and chemistry research. Users describe the physics they want to study, and the software constructs the quantum circuits and suppresses hardware errors. IBM lists the service as a beta feature for Premium, Flex and On-Prem plan users.
Ironstone Opal uses magnetic map matching to navigate without GPS. In July, Q-CTRL reported that the system had achieved safety-of-flight qualification under the RTCA DO-160 standard, following field trials on airplanes, helicopters and drones.