Israeli quantum computing startup Qedma has successfully raised $26 million in its latest funding round, with IBM notably among its investors. The startup is recognized for its specialized software solutions designed specifically for quantum error mitigation, addressing one of the most challenging obstacles faced by the burgeoning quantum computing industry.
Quantum computing systems, renowned for their immense theoretical capabilities, remain highly susceptible to errors, an issue that threatens to significantly limit their practical applications across key sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and materials research. While many industry players prioritize hardware innovations to mitigate these errors, Qedma differentiates itself by emphasizing software solutions—chief among them its QESEM platform, which stands for Quantum Error Suppression and Error Mitigation. This software identifies and addresses noise patterns proactively during quantum algorithm execution while further refining results through subsequent post-processing.
The participation of IBM as both an investor and collaborator highlights Qedma’s potential. IBM, already deeply engaged in developing robust, fault-tolerant quantum computers by the end of the decade, has increasingly turned to partnerships with specialized software-oriented companies like Qedma to accelerate industry-wide adoption of quantum technology. According to IBM’s Vice President of Quantum, Jay Gambetta, collaborations across the quantum computing sector are essential in order to clearly define “quantum advantage”—the point at which quantum computers consistently outperform classical computers on practical tasks.
Qedma is forecasting that it may approach this key milestone sooner than many experts anticipate. CEO Asif Sinay suggested confidently that genuine quantum advantage “could be demonstrated clearly within this year.” The potential significance of such a breakthrough lies in Qedma’s innovative approach, which doesn’t require waiting for quantum systems to reach millions of stable qubits. Instead, its method significantly extends the functional capabilities of current quantum hardware, allowing quantum circuits up to 1,000 times larger than what existing technology would typically support.
Co-founded by Sinay, who formerly worked as a physicist at AR technology leader Magic Leap, and two prominent academics—Professor Dorit Aharonov, a renowned quantum computing authority, and Professor Netanel Lindner of Israel’s Technion—the startup has amassed a team currently numbering around 40, with plans to grow to 50 to 60 in the near future. This expansion, supported by the new funding round, will include hires across research, engineering, marketing, and sales—underscoring a broader commercialization push.
The funding round, spearheaded by Israeli VC Glilot Capital Partners’ early-growth arm Glilot+, also saw participation from South Korea’s Korean Investment Partners, previous investor TPY Capital, and other strategic backers. This influx of resources will not only expand Qedma’s internal capabilities but pave the way for broader international collaborations. Already demonstrating compatibility with various hardware platforms, Qedma recently showcased successful demonstrations using IonQ’s trapped-ion quantum computer as well as an evaluation partnership with a yet-undisclosed industry giant and a joint research presentation alongside the Japanese scientific institution RIKEN, exploring integration between quantum computing and supercomputer infrastructure.
IBM’s Qiskit Functions Catalog has featured Qedma since late last year, significantly increasing the startup’s visibility and accessibility to the wider quantum development community. Sinay emphasized, however, that the company’s strategy remains hardware-agnostic, designed to integrate easily with a broad range of emerging quantum technologies.
In an industry paradoxically driven both by optimism and uncertainty—with companies competing fiercely over hardware scaling trajectories and error reduction methods—Qedma’s approach offers a pragmatic, near-term solution. The recent investment firmly positions the company at the forefront of quantum computing’s practical advancement, positioning it as one of the key entities shaping the immediate future of this transformative technology.
