SOURCE: AFI
On April 14, 2025, two Bengaluru-based startups, QpiAI and QNu Labs, unveiled groundbreaking quantum technology platforms, cementing India’s growing presence in the global quantum race. The launches, coinciding with World Quantum Day, were reported by Deccan Herald on April 16, 2025, highlighting a 25-qubit quantum computer by QpiAI and a quantum-safe cryptography solution, QShield, by QNu Labs.
These developments, celebrated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and Karnataka’s IT Minister Priyank Kharge via posts on X, showcase Bengaluru’s role as a hub for deep-tech innovation and align with India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) to advance quantum research and applications.
QpiAI, a leader in quantum computing and AI integration, introduced India’s most powerful quantum computer to date—a 25-qubit system named QpiAI-25. This milestone, achieved under the NQM’s Quantum Computing and Simulation vertical, positions India among a select group of nations with advanced quantum computing capabilities. The QpiAI-25, developed at QpiAI’s Bengaluru R&D center, leverages superconducting qubits to perform complex computations, targeting applications in drug discovery, material science, and optimization problems.
Nagendra Nagaraja, CEO of QpiAI, emphasized the system’s potential: “Our 25-qubit quantum computer marks a significant step toward solving real-world problems that classical computers struggle with.” The platform integrates with QpiAI’s generative AI models, offering a hybrid quantum-classical solution for industries like pharmaceuticals and logistics. While the system is a prototype, QpiAI aims to scale to 100 qubits by 2027, aligning with global benchmarks set by companies like IBM and Google. However, challenges remain, including maintaining qubit stability and reducing error rates, which are critical for practical applications.
QNu Labs, a pioneer in quantum-safe cryptography, launched QShield, a platform designed to protect data against future quantum attacks. As quantum computers threaten to break classical encryption methods like RSA, QShield employs Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to ensure secure communication. The system, tested successfully over 100 km in collaboration with the Raman Research Institute (RRI) and the Indian Navy, addresses the need for secure maritime communications, a priority outlined in the NQM’s Quantum Communications vertical.
Sunil Gupta, CEO of QNu Labs, highlighted QShield’s significance: “With quantum computers on the horizon, our QKD-based solution ensures that sensitive data remains secure.” QShield’s ability to operate without costly repeaters over long distances—a limitation noted in current quantum communication systems—makes it a game-changer for defence, finance, and healthcare sectors. The Indian Navy’s partnership with RRI for maritime applications underscores its strategic value, especially in the Indo-Pacific, where secure communication is vital amid regional tensions.
Bengaluru’s emergence as a quantum tech hub is no coincidence. The city hosts key research institutions like RRI and IISc, which are driving India’s quantum mission. RRI’s work on quantum communications and IISc’s advancements in quantum materials, such as colloidal quantum wells integrated with dielectric metasurfaces, complement the startup ecosystem. The Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 saw 228 startups showcase deep-tech solutions, reflecting the city’s innovation vibrancy.
The NQM, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023 with ?6,003.65 crore, supports these efforts through four verticals: quantum computing, communications, sensing, and materials. QpiAI and QNu Labs, both beneficiaries of NQM funding, exemplify the mission’s goal to foster indigenous quantum technologies. The launches on World Quantum Day, celebrated annually on April 14, highlight India’s ambition to rival global leaders like the U.S. and China in this transformative field.
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