About
ORCA Computing is a UK-based photonic quantum computing company building room-temperature quantum memory systems and quantum computers. It uses time-bin encoded photons stored in quantum memory loops, an approach that enables quantum-optical computing at room temperature using telecoms-compatible photons. Founded in 2019 as a spinout of Oxford University, ORCA is based in London and partners with BT, the UK MoD, and DSTL for quantum networking and sensing applications. Its PT-1 system integrates quantum memory modules that operate without cryogenics, targeting near-term quantum advantage in machine learning and chemistry simulation. ORCA has raised more than $52M, including a $37M Series B in November 2025 with investors Temasek, Baillie Gifford, NVentures, QIA, and Morgan Stanley. PT Series systems are operational at PSNC Poland and the UK National Quantum Computing Centre for hybrid machine learning and generative AI workloads, and ORCA installed the UK's first photonic quantum system at the NQCC. The company has also deployed PT Series systems at a US Air Force-funded facility in Montana. In 2025, ORCA launched the PT-2 photonic quantum system for industrial-scale AI, integrating with NVIDIA CUDA-Q and building on seven deployed PT-1 systems. In October 2025 it joined NVIDIA's NVQLink open reference architecture for tight quantum-classical integration. ORCA acquired the generative AI startup Rahko and has expanded its applications portfolio beyond pure photonic quantum computing. Partnerships include ST Engineering, for quantum machine learning-based cyber anomaly detection announced in December 2025, and Vodafone, for quantum optimisation of broadband networks. In June 2025, ORCA used its PT-2 system to solve Steiner Tree network planning problems for Vodafone in minutes. In January 2026, Toyota and ORCA demonstrated a reduction of more than 80% in compute time for AI workloads using photonic quantum reservoir computing. Update 2026-06-16: ORCA Computing deployed a photonic quantum computer to an enterprise customer in Japan through a collaboration with Toyota Tsusho. Source: https://quantumzeitgeist.com/orca-toyota-tsusho-first-quantum/ Update 2026-06-14: ORCA Computing is expanding its commercial reach by establishing a new Digital Realty Innovation Lab in London. Source: https://quantumzeitgeist.com/orca-computing-commercial-presence-via/ Update 2026-05-26: ORCA Computing's PT Series photonic quantum systems are now featured at the Digital Realty Innovation Lab in London for AI integration testing. Source: https://quantumzeitgeist.com/orcas-series-quantum-systems-join/ Update 2026-04-30: Orca Computing is evaluating quantum processing units for integration into data centers using existing standards. Source: https://quantumzeitgeist.com/orca-computing-targets-data-center/ Update 2026-01-14: ORCA Computing demonstrated an 80% reduction in AI compute time using quantum reservoir computing for Toyota. Source: https://quantumzeitgeist.com/toyota-quantum-computing-compute-reduction/ Update 2025-10-28: ORCA Computing integrated with NVIDIA's NVLink to enable faster data transfer between quantum processors and classical GPUs. Source: https://quantumzeitgeist.com/orca-photonics-nvqlink-architecture-integration/ Update 2025-07-04: ORCA Computing appointed a chairman to guide its quantum scale-up efforts. Source: https://quantumzeitgeist.com/orca-computing-appoints-chairman-to-drive-quantum-scale-up/ Update 2025-06-12: ORCA Computing deployed the UK's first photonic quantum computer at the National Quantum Computing Centre. Source: https://quantumzeitgeist.com/uks-national-quantum-computing-centre-receives-first-photonic-quantum-system-from-orca-computing/
Quantum Specifications
| Qubit Technology | Photonic |
| Physical Qubits | 90 |
| Error Correction | In-development |
| Quantum Focus | hardware |
Key People
Funding History
Backed By
Application Areas
Research Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
Related News
ORCA Computing and Toyota Tsusho Deploy First Quantum System to Enterprise Customer in Japan
ORCA Computing Expands Commercial Presence Via Digital Realty
ORCA Computing Joins Digital Realty Innovation Lab in London
ORCA Computing Integrates Photonic Systems into London Digital Realty Innovation Lab
JIJ and ORCA Computing Demonstrate Hybrid Quantum-Classical Energy Optimization
