In a big step towards global leadership in quantum safe cybersecurity, QNu Labs, a deep-tech startup incubated at IIT Madras, has raised INR 60 crore in Series A. The round was led by National Quantum Mission (NQM)—India’s flagship quantum initiative under the Department of Science and Technology—with a direct investment of INR 25 crore.
The rest of the funding came from a group of seasoned early-stage investors including Lucky Investment, Speciale Invest, Tenacity Ventures, HDFC Fund and Singularity AMC. This round takes QNu Labs’ total funding to around USD 20 million (~INR 169 crore), a big milestone in India’s quantum journey.
Scaling Quantum-Safe Frontiers
The Bengaluru-based company will use the funds to scale up its commercial operations, R&D and global presence. At the heart of this expansion is the global launch of QShield—world’s first Quantum Security-as-a-Service (QSaaS) platform which combines quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum random number generation (QRNG) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC).
QShield platform was launched recently on World Quantum Day as QNu Labs’ answer to the growing cybersecurity threats posed by quantum computers which will break classical encryption systems.
“We are not building products—we are building the future of digital trust,” said Sunil Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of QNu Labs. “This investment from the National Quantum Mission is not only capital—it’s a mandate to lead India’s secure quantum future.”
Quantum-Safe Innovation with Global Relevance
Founded in 2016 and based out of the IIT Madras Research Park, QNu Labs is India’s first startup offering commercially ready, hardware-based quantum-safe solutions. Its core offerings—QKD, QRNG, and PQC—are designed to secure communications and data infrastructure across critical sectors such as defence, finance, telecom, healthcare, and national infrastructure.
With 10 granted patents, QNu Labs is among a select group of global players providing market-ready quantum-safe technologies. As the post-quantum threat becomes a global concern, the company is positioning itself as a trusted cybersecurity provider for both public and private enterprises.
“The digital future must be quantum-secure,” said Aluri Srinivasa Rao, Chairman and Co-founder of QNu Labs. “Cybersecurity is not just about protection—it’s about national resilience. Our mission is to make quantum-safe technology the backbone of global digital infrastructure.”
Government Backing Validates DeepTech Vision
The National Quantum Mission’s investment in this round is a reflection of the Indian government’s push for homegrown quantum innovation and infrastructure in the digital age. Launched in 2023, the mission aims to make India a global quantum technology hub by incubating startups and research capabilities.
Investors are betting big on QNu Labs’ long term vision. Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest, remarked, “QNu Labs represents deep tech at its purest—solving complex, global problems with first-principle thinking and long-term conviction.” Ashish Kacholia, Founder of Lucky Investment, added, “Quantum cybersecurity is not just a trend—it’s a necessity. QNu’s tech is ahead of the curve, and their team is building something truly foundational.”
Rohit Razdan of Tenacity Ventures summed up the strategic significance: “QNu Labs is redefining how the world thinks about security.”
Looking Ahead
With the fresh capital infusion and strategic validation from both the government and deep-tech-focused investors, QNu Labs is set to advance its mission to build a quantum-resilient digital world. The company plans to scale its quantum security solutions globally, forge international partnerships, and enable critical infrastructure to withstand emerging threats in the post-quantum era.
As quantum computing inches closer to mainstream viability, companies like QNu Labs are no longer just innovators—they are guardians of the future internet. For more details related to IPO GMP, SEBI IPO Approval, and Live Subscription stay tuned to IPO Central.