Beijing Zhongke Arclight Quantum Software Technology Co., Ltd. completed an angel round of financing, according to a news release translated from the original Chinese.
Although the company did not release specific numbers on the funding size, the round is estimated to be in the “tens of millions of yuan.” Ten million yuan is about $1.5 million U.S.
Arclight Quantum will use the funding to “improve the layout of quantum software products, cultivate a team of quantum computing talents and accelerate the integration of quantum algorithms and other cutting-edge technologies.”
According to the release, the research team has been engaged in quantum computing and quantum software research for nearly two decades and has developed the first domestic quantum programming and verification platform isQ. isQ integrates quantum programming, compilation, verification, simulation and other functions. The theorem prover, reportedly the the first quantum program theorem prover in the world, can verify the correctness of quantum programs.
The company is committed to continuously narrowing the distance between quantum computing and commercial customers, and provides customers with more cutting-edge, more convenient and safer products and services with advanced and professional technical strength, high-quality and quick service awareness, and stable and efficient organization. The company has provided customers with cutting-edge machine learning, quantum chemistry and other software products and technical services in many fields such as finance, industry, energy, and biopharmaceuticals.
The company expects changes in quantum software development and is attempting to position itself as a leader in that movement.
“In the coming era of quantum computers, due to the revolutionary changes in the hardware foundation and architecture of quantum computers, the features that software design relies on will undergo fundamental changes,” the company states “Not only the existing software theories and technologies cannot adapt to the quantum computer architecture, but the basic software will also become more diverse. Only the close integration of quantum software and hardware can fully embody the power of quantum computers.”
Company officials also see a need for Chinese scientists to move from the lab, where China is a technical leader, to the market.
They explain: “At present, the development of quantum hardware in China is good, but there is still a big gap between the technical accumulation and market development of domestic quantum software and the United States, the European Union and other countries. Therefore, seizing the commanding heights and the right to speak of software technology in the quantum computing era is of great significance for China to build a world scientific and technological power and realize the leap-forward development of the information industry.”
