Insider Brief
- Firgun Ventures has invested in Los Angeles–based Quantum Elements, backing its AI-driven quantum software platform Constellation and a leadership team that includes prominent figures in quantum computing.
- Constellation integrates AI-based digital twins with hardware-aware simulation to allow users to design and test quantum circuits before deploying them on physical quantum processors, aiming to reduce cost, time, and technical risk.
- Since launching its cloud platform in October 2025, Quantum Elements has formed partnerships with Rigetti, IBM, Quantum Machines, and AWS, alongside research collaborations with the National University of Singapore and UCLA, and counts Dr. Chad Rigetti among its board members.
PRESS RELEASE — Firgun Ventures has announced its strategic investment in Quantum Elements, a Los Angeles–based start-up developing Constellation, which it believes will become the leading tool for developing quantum applications. It backs an exceptional founding team, with Dr Chad Rigetti, Founder of Rigetti Inc, on its board.
Unlike other quantum software solutions, Constellation combines AI-driven digital twins with hardware-aware simulation, enabling researchers and companies to design, test, and refine quantum circuits before running them on expensive quantum processors. The platform’s unique approach reduces cost, time, and risk while making quantum computing more accessible and practical for real-world applications.
Since launching its cloud platform in October 2025, the startup has secured early commercial traction with leading quantum hardware companies and research institutions, including partnerships with Rigetti, IBM, Quantum Machines, and AWS, as well as research collaborations with the National University of Singapore and UCLA, clearly demonstrating its ability to deliver usable software across the ecosystem.
“This is exactly the type of innovation and team we have been looking for, and we’re thrilled to be backing the Quantum Elements,” said Dr Kris Naudts, co-founder of Firgun Ventures. “Their first-of-its-kind software is laying the foundations to make quantum computing more scalable and accessible, helping accelerate use cases across industries such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and energy”.
The stellar Quantum Elements leadership team consists of:
- CEO Izhar Medalsy, PhD – a serial technology entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling advanced hardware companies
- Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer Professor Daniel Lidar – director of the University of Southern California’s Centre for Quantum Information Science & Technology and a pioneer in quantum error correction and open quantum systems
- Co-founder & Board Member Professor Amir Yacoby – a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard University, known for his work in solid-state quantum physics
The company’s board includes Dr Chad Rigetti, founder of Rigetti Computing and a pioneer in quantum computing. Other investors in this round include early stage quantum specialist funds QDNL Participations in The Netherlands and Quantacet in Canada, as well as R-Squared Ventures in LA.
