California dreaming: Sydney quantum infrastructure software startup sets up shop in San Francisco

Australian quantum software startup Q-CTRL is ramping up its US presence, hanging up a shingle in San Francisco.

The move comes as the city reciprocates the love with the local Chamber of Commerce naming the Sydney software business its 2025 Australian Company of the Year in the Bay area.

Q-CTRL plays a key role in quantum technology development with its infrastructure software, which focuses on quantum computing, sensing, and AI-driven optimisation. It’s used by Softbank and Mitsubishi Chemical, startups, research labs, and academic institutions, as well as Australia’s Dept of Defence, which engaged the startup to build quantum sensors for navigation.

The company also has bases in Sydney, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Oxford.

Founded in 2017 by University of Sydney Professor of Quantum Physics and expat American Michael J. Biercuk, Q-CTRL raised $88 million late last year topping up an ongoing Series B to $166 million, and counts San Fran-based Salesforce Ventures among its backers.

The Bay Area office will support teams across product, engineering, research and sales, as the business also looks to draw on the local talent pool of quantum engineers, AI researchers, and enterprise software experts.Leading the team there are VP of product Alex Shih and head of quantum computing research Yuval Baum.

“Silicon Valley has long been the centereof gravity for emerging technologies, and quantum is no exception,” Shih said.

“As we continue to scale and pioneer new capabilities, this office will allow us to deepen our engagement with industry partners, attract top-tier talent, cross-pollinate ideas with the local technology ecosystem, and strengthen our leadership in making quantum technology a core part of future compute and sensing platforms.”

Chief strategy officer Aravind Ratnam said the San Francisco office and Q-CTRL’s US expansion aligns with their commercial success.

“Silicon Valley brings together customers, investors, partners, and exceptional talent, allowing us to meet our global business goals more efficientl,” she said.