Oratomic raises $300M to build a viable quantum computer that needs only 20K qubits

New Delhi, India Jul 10, 2026 ALN: A number of companies, betting on various architectural approaches, are trying to build the first commercially viable quantum computer capable of significantly outperforming current systems.

Oratomic, which entered the race earlier this year with the goal of developing the first utility-scale quantum computer by the end of the decade, said this week that it has raised $300 million. The massive Series A round was co-led by ARCH Venture Partners, Spark Capital, and Khosla Ventures, with participation from Bezos Expeditions, Index Ventures, General Catalyst, Lowercarbon Capital, Bain Capital, and others.

Founded by Caltech physicists, Oratomic uses lasers, which act as optical tweezers, to hold individual atoms in place as the basis for its quantum computer. This innovative approach leverages the unique properties of quantum mechanics, where the behavior of atoms can be manipulated in ways that classical computers cannot achieve.

The startup was launched after its researchers discovered that their approach can correct errors using significantly fewer qubits — the basic unit in quantum computing — than previously thought possible. Since quantum computers are sensitive to noise, effective error correction is the key to turning them into truly useful tools. This breakthrough in error correction is particularly significant because it addresses one of the most pressing challenges in quantum computing: maintaining coherence and stability in qubit states long enough to perform complex calculations.

“You would have not previously been able to convince any of us to start a quantum computing company, because we just thought it was way too far away,” Oratomic’s co-founder and CEO Dolev Bluvstein said. “Only when we made this recent breakthrough did we simultaneously all change our minds.” This reflects a broader sentiment in the quantum computing community, where many researchers have been skeptical about the feasibility of building a practical quantum computer within a reasonable timeframe.

While most other quantum companies are making prototypes available to research scientists and corporations, Oratomic has no plans to develop or sell these systems, known as noisy intermediate-scale quantum, or NISQ. The NISQ era represents a transitional phase in quantum computing, where devices can perform some quantum computations but are still limited by noise and error rates. Oratomic's strategy diverges from this path, aiming for a more mature and fault-tolerant quantum system from the outset.

Bluvstein noted that Oratomic shouldn’t be compared to PsiQuantum, a startup valued at $7 billion last September, which is also bypassing the NISQ stage and aims to deliver a viable, million-qubit quantum computer by the end of next year. The comparison highlights the competitive landscape in the quantum computing sector, where various companies are racing to achieve similar goals through different methodologies and technologies.

Oratomic’s approach is fundamentally simpler and less expensive, Bluvstein argued. “The difference is that we need roughly 10,000 to 20,000 qubits to build a useful computer, and we have already experimentally demonstrated all of the core components required of that computer at a slightly smaller scale,” he said. This claim, if validated, could position Oratomic favorably against its competitors, as the number of qubits required for a practical quantum computer has been a topic of intense debate among researchers.

A full-scale quantum computer could facilitate breakthroughs in any field requiring complex calculations, from biotech, chemistry, and logistics to artificial intelligence and cryptography. The potential applications of quantum computing are vast and varied, ranging from simulating molecular interactions for drug discovery to optimizing supply chain logistics and enhancing machine learning algorithms. As industries increasingly recognize the transformative potential of quantum technology, the demand for practical quantum computing solutions is likely to grow.

Companies working toward building these machines and developing software for their use have seen a wave of enthusiasm from investors recently. Several startups in the space, including Infleqtion and Quantinuum, have gone public this year. Meanwhile, existing public companies like Rigetti and IonQ have seen their share prices surge over the past 18 months. This influx of capital and interest reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where investors are eager to support innovative technologies that promise to redefine computing capabilities.

Despite the optimism surrounding quantum computing, challenges remain. Many experts caution that while the potential is immense, the path to practical, fault-tolerant quantum computers is fraught with technical hurdles. These include issues related to qubit coherence times, error rates, and the scalability of quantum systems. As a result, while investment is pouring into the sector, the timeline for achieving commercially viable quantum computing solutions remains uncertain.

Still, investor Vinod Khosla is so confident Oratomic will build the first fault-tolerant quantum computer that he wrote on X it was his firm’s “largest initial investment yet.” This statement underscores the confidence that some investors have in Oratomic’s technology and its potential to disrupt existing paradigms in computing. As the company moves forward with its ambitious plans, the quantum computing community will be watching closely to see if it can deliver on its promises and achieve the milestones it has set for itself.

In conclusion, the recent funding round for Oratomic not only highlights the growing interest in quantum computing but also signals a shift in how companies are approaching the development of this technology. By focusing on building a utility-scale quantum computer capable of error correction with fewer qubits, Oratomic is positioning itself as a significant player in a rapidly evolving field. As the race to build the first commercially viable quantum computer continues, the outcomes of such investments could have far-reaching implications for industries worldwide.