Quantum computing finally has real commercial traction. IBM's utility-scale quantum computers are running calculations classical systems can't handle. Google's error correction breakthrough in 2024 changed the timeline. Companies are buying quantum compute time, not just testing demos.
You'll need investors who understand qubit physics and can wait 5-7 years for revenue. Most don't. These 18 firms have closed quantum computing deals from 2025 to 2026.
Breakthrough Energy Ventures: Bill Gates-backed fund that invested in Commonwealth Fusion and understands deep physics
Amadeus Capital: European quantum investor that backed Oxford Quantum Circuits and IQM
Quantonation: Only VC exclusively focused on quantum tech, backed Pasqal and C12
Lux Capital: Early Rigetti investor, continues backing quantum sensing and computing hardware
DCVC: Data-focused investors backing quantum computing for optimization and simulation
Piva Capital: Quantum-focused fund that backed Atom Computing and photonic quantum systems
Innovation Endeavors: Eric Schmidt's fund backing quantum software and algorithms
Future Labs Capital: Australian quantum investor backing silicon quantum computing
Insight Partners: Late-stage investor writing growth checks for quantum software platforms
Playground Global: Deep tech investor backing quantum sensing and atomic clocks
Eclipse Ventures: Manufacturing-focused VC investing in quantum fabrication tech
Matterwave Ventures: Quantum-focused fund investing across hardware and software stack
Red Cell Partners: National security-focused investor backing quantum cryptography
SOSV: Early-stage quantum investor through HAX accelerator program
Village Global: Early quantum software investor with academic connections
Prelude Ventures: Climate tech investor backing quantum for materials discovery
Khosla Ventures: Sporadic quantum bets but large checks when committed
Lockheed Martin Ventures: Corporate VC backing quantum sensing for aerospace applications
Experience: Find investors who've backed companies through dilution refrigerator failures and qubit coherence challenges. Most software VCs don't understand why quantum error correction changes unit economics. For clearer guidance on outreach, see this investor tactics blog.
Network: Check if they can intro you to quantum algorithm researchers at AWS, IBM, or Google. That matters more than generic tech connections.
Alignment: Seed-stage quantum investors often don't understand late-stage burn rates when you're scaling fabrication facilities. Building quantum processors costs $50M+ before first revenue. If you're sharing sensitive details, ensure you protect files properly.
Track record: Look at whether their portfolio companies shipped actual quantum processors or just published papers. Lots of quantum startups raised money but never achieved quantum advantage. Use Ellty to share your deck with trackable links. You'll see who actually opens your qubit coherence data and error correction roadmap.
Value-add: Ask what happened when their portfolio companies faced cryogenic supply chain issues or talent shortages. Generic "we have deep tech experience" answers are useless. Most quantum investors can't help with superconducting qubit fabrication or trapped ion chamber design. When distributing your deck, consider options like DocSend for tracking and control.
Research quantum deals: Check Pitchbook for 2025-2026 quantum investments. Seed funds won't lead your $80M Series B for processor manufacturing, no matter how good your qubit specs are.
Build credible technical pitch: Show actual quantum volume metrics or algorithm performance benchmarks. Most investors are tired of "quantum advantage claims" without peer-reviewed validation or customer pilots.
Share with analytics: Upload to Ellty and send trackable links. Monitor which pages investors spend time on. If they skip your error correction architecture, they probably don't understand quantum computing fundamentals.
Leverage academic networks: Message quantum computing professors who advise VCs and ask about investor sophistication. Most will be honest about which firms actually understand the physics.
Attend quantum conferences: Q2B, IEEE Quantum Week, and APS March Meeting are where quantum deals actually happen. Skip the generic startup events. When distributing conference materials, ensure your PDFs are forwarding-safe.
Connect strategically: Reach out to partners on LinkedIn after getting introduced by a quantum portfolio founder. Cold messages to quantum investors rarely work without technical credibility.
Prepare technical documentation: Set up an Ellty data room with your qubit characterization data and calibration protocols before they ask. It speeds up technical diligence.
Lead with differentiation: Start with your qubit coherence times, gate fidelities, or algorithm performance. Don't waste time on quantum computing market size projections everyone's seen.
The quantum computing landscape shifted in 2024-2025. Google demonstrated logical qubits with lower error rates than physical qubits, proving fault-tolerant quantum computing is achievable. IBM's quantum utility experiments showed real advantages for materials simulation and optimization problems.
Major enterprises started buying quantum compute time through AWS Braket and Azure Quantum. DARPA increased quantum funding under the National Quantum Initiative. China's quantum investments forced Western governments to accelerate funding. VCs who sat on the sidelines are now writing larger checks.
Bill Gates-backed climate fund that invests in quantum computing for materials discovery and optimization.
European deep tech investor with strong quantum computing portfolio across hardware and software.
Only VC fund exclusively focused on quantum technologies with deep physics expertise.
Science-focused VC that backed Rigetti early and continues investing in quantum hardware and sensing.
Data-focused investors backing quantum computing for optimization, simulation, and machine learning applications.
Quantum-focused fund investing across the full quantum computing stack from hardware to applications.
Eric Schmidt's firm backing quantum software platforms and algorithm development companies.
Australian investor backing silicon quantum computing and quantum sensing technologies.
Late-stage software investor writing growth checks for quantum software and quantum-inspired optimization.
Deep tech investor backing quantum sensing, atomic clocks, and quantum networking hardware.
Manufacturing-focused VC investing in quantum processor fabrication and production scaling technology.
Quantum-focused fund investing across hardware, software, and application layers of quantum stack.
National security-focused investor backing quantum cryptography and quantum sensing for defense.
Early-stage investor backing quantum startups through HAX hardware accelerator program.
Early-stage fund with strong academic connections backing quantum software and algorithm development.
Climate tech investor backing quantum computing for molecular simulation and materials discovery.
Sporadic quantum investor but writes large checks when they commit to quantum companies.
Corporate VC backing quantum sensing and quantum computing for aerospace and defense applications.
These 18 quantum computing investors closed deals from 2025 to 2026. Before you start reaching out, set up proper tracking.
Upload your deck to Ellty and create a unique link for each investor. You'll see exactly which slides they view and how long they spend on your qubit characterization data and error correction architecture. Most quantum founders are surprised to learn investors skip theoretical explanations but spend 15+ minutes on your commercial roadmap and first customer pilots.
When investors ask for technical documentation during diligence, share an Ellty data room instead of messy email threads. Your qubit specs, calibration protocols, algorithm benchmarks, and technical papers in one secure place with view analytics.
How do I know if an investor understands quantum computing?
Ask them to explain why your qubit modality matters or what quantum volume means. If they can't answer, they'll need extensive technical education during diligence.
Should I cold email quantum computing investors?
Only if you have published research or patents. Get intros through quantum computing professors, IBM/Google researchers, or quantum portfolio founders. Technical credibility matters more than most sectors.
What's the difference between quantum hardware and quantum software investors?
Hardware investors understand 7-10 year timelines and $100M+ capital requirements for processor development. Software investors want revenue within 2-3 years from quantum algorithms or simulations.
How many quantum investors should I contact?
5-10 max. The quantum investing community is tiny. Everyone knows everyone. Bad technical claims spread fast.
When should I set up a technical data room?
Before your first meeting. Quantum investors want to see qubit characterization data, gate fidelities, coherence times, and benchmarking results immediately. Use Ellty to organize everything.
Do I need peer-reviewed publications before raising?
Not always, but it helps significantly. Most quantum investors want Nature, Science, or Physical Review Letters publications to validate your technical claims.