Vancouver's Photonic Secures $180M to Revolutionize Quantum Computing with Room-Temperature Tech
January 6, 2026
Photonic, a Vancouver-based quantum computing company, raised $180 million in a new funding round led by Planet First Partners, with participation from RBC, Telus, BC Investment Management Corporation, and Microsoft, bringing Photonic's total funding to $375 million to date.
The funding supports Photonic’s Entanglement First Architecture, which combines silicon-based qubits with native photonic connectivity to enable scalable distributed quantum computing and networking across telecom infrastructure.
Photonic emphasizes its goal of scalable, utility-scale quantum systems and aims to progress key product milestones toward commercialization while expanding partnerships across sustainability, telecommunications, finance, and security sectors.
Its nanophotonic entropy technology operates at room temperature with low power and minimal environmental requirements, enabling practical deployment.
The company targets quantum computing, quantum intelligence, cybersecurity, sensing, and imaging markets, highlighting its focus on accessible, low-training solutions.
The Dirac series entropy computing capability supports both binary and integer-based optimization problems and underpins applications in AI, cybersecurity, and sensing.
Photonic’s technical approach uses silicon-based qubits cooled to near absolute zero, enabling a networked silicon chip architecture that leverages optical connections, which the company argues offers advantages in cooling needs and scalability compared with other quantum computer designs.
Microsoft is not only an investor but a partner, planning to integrate Photonic technology into its Azure cloud platform and provide customers access to quantum power via the internet.
No operational or strategic details about Photonic's technology platform, such as qubit architecture or target applications, are disclosed in the text.
Planet First Partners will add Nathan Medlock to Photonic’s board, with the firm emphasizing quantum computing's potential to impact clean energy, materials, health, and climate solutions.
Evercore is identified as the sole placement agent for the capital raise, reinforcing the deal's structured investment approach.
Photonic is engaged in two major international programs aimed at advancing quantum computing: DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative in the United States and Canada's Canadian Quantum Champions Program.
Summary based on 16 sources
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Sources

The Globe and Mail • Jan 6, 2026
Royal Bank, Telus back $130-million financing by quantum developer Photonic
SiliconANGLE • Jan 7, 2026
Photonic raises $130M to scale quantum computers with entanglement-based networking - SiliconANGLE
Yahoo Finance Canada • Jan 6, 2026
Canadian quantum computing company raises $180 million from investors including RBC, Telus