Insider Brief
- Japan-based neutral-atom quantum computing startup Yaqumo raised seed extension funding from Alumni Ventures to support research and development and expand into North American markets.
- The investment marks Alumni Ventures’ first deal in Japan and was made through its AV Seed Fund and Japan + US Bridge Fund, which aims to strengthen ties between the two countries’ startup ecosystems.
- Yaqumo said the funding will help accelerate commercialization efforts, deepen relationships with global investors and partners, and expand its international business and talent networks.
PRESS RELEASE — Yaqumo Inc. (“Yaqumo”), a startup developing neutral-atom quantum computers in Japan, today announced that it has raised funding in a seed extension round from Alumni Ventures, LLC (“Alumni Ventures”), a venture capital firm headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, United States.
This marks Alumni Ventures’ first investment in Japan. The investment was made through both the AV Seed Fund in North America and the Japan + US Bridge Fund, which was established to connect the startup ecosystems of Japan and the United States.
With this financing, Yaqumo will strengthen the foundation for its expansion into the North American market by leveraging Alumni Ventures’ network of corporations, government agencies, and other stakeholders across the region. Yaqumo will also continue building relationships with leading U.S.-based investors as it prepares for its next phase of global growth.
About Alumni Ventures
Alumni Ventures is one of the world’s leading U.S.-based venture capital firms. Since its founding in 2014, the firm has raised more than US$1.4 billion and invested in over 1,600 venture-backed companies. In CB Insights’ 2024 rankings, Alumni Ventures was named among the Top 20 “Top US VC Firms,” underscoring its reputation as one of North America’s leading venture capital firms.
Alumni Ventures is expanding its presence in the Japanese market, including the establishment of a Japan office in Tokyo, and is strengthening initiatives designed to connect the startup ecosystems of Japan and the United States. Against this backdrop, Yaqumo has been selected as Alumni Ventures’ first investment in Japan.
Website: Alumni Ventures
About the Financing
As global competition accelerates to bring quantum technologies into practical use, Yaqumo believes Alumni Ventures’ selection of the company as its first investment in Japan reflects strong recognition of the technological potential of Yaqumo’s neutral-atom quantum computing approach and the opportunity to build a quantum industry originating in Japan.
Through this financing, Yaqumo will further accelerate its research and development while expanding its business foundation for bringing Japan-born quantum computing technology to global markets. The company will also deepen engagement with global investors, corporations, government agencies, and other partners, particularly in North America.
Comment from Kazuhiro Nakashoji, Representative Director and CEO of Yaqumo
“We are deeply honored that Alumni Ventures, one of North America’s leading venture capital firms, has selected Yaqumo as its first investment in Japan. We view this investment as a strong vote of confidence in our ambition to move beyond research and development in Japan and pursue commercialization in global markets, including North America.
Building on Japan’s outstanding foundation in quantum science, Yaqumo aims to realize truly useful quantum computers and help expand the quantum industry globally. With this funding, we will further accelerate our research and development, talent acquisition, and partnerships in Japan and overseas, and contribute to the advancement of quantum technology worldwide as a Japan-born quantum computing company.”
Comment from Michael Phillips, Chief Legal Officer and Executive Managing Director for Asia Pacific of Alumni Ventures
“Yaqumo is an exceptionally compelling startup that combines Japan’s deep research foundation in quantum mechanics with a strong business vision for realizing practical quantum computers. Neutral-atom quantum computing is one of the key approaches for unlocking scalability in quantum computing, and we believe the Yaqumo team has the capabilities to translate this potential into real-world implementation.
This marks Alumni Ventures’ first investment in Japan through both the AV Seed Fund in North America and the Japan + US Bridge Fund. Yaqumo is a compelling example of the kind of deep technical innovation from start-ups developing from Japanese universities that our investments and network are designed to support. We look forward to fully supporting Yaqumo as it grows as a Japan-born quantum computing company connected to the global ecosystem, including North America.”
Investment Summary
Round: Seed extension round
Investor: Alumni Ventures, LLC
Investment instrument: J-KISS stock acquisition rights (Series 2)
