PRESS-RELEASE
Alumni Ventures Makes First-Ever Japan Investment in Yaqumo to Back the Future of Neutral-Atom Quantum Computing
– Backed by both the North America-focused AV Seed Fund and the Japan + US Bridge Fund, Yaqumo will accelerate the global expansion of its Japan-born neutral-atom quantum computing technology–
Tokyo, Japan – Yaqumo Inc. (“Yaqumo”), a startup developing neutral-atom quantum computers in Japan, today announced that it has raised funding in a seed extension round from Alumni Ventures, LLC (“Alumni Ventures”), a venture capital firm headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, United States.
This marks Alumni Ventures’ first investment in Japan. The investment was made through both the AV Seed Fund in North America and the Japan + US Bridge Fund, which was established to connect the startup ecosystems of Japan and the United States.
With this financing, Yaqumo will strengthen the foundation for its expansion into the North American market by leveraging Alumni Ventures’ network of corporations, government agencies, and other stakeholders across the region. Yaqumo will also continue building relationships with leading U.S.-based investors as it prepares for its next phase of global growth.
About Alumni Ventures
Alumni Ventures is one of the world’s leading U.S.-based venture capital firms. Since its founding in 2014, the firm has raised more than US$1.4 billion and invested in over 1,600 venture-backed companies. In CB Insights’ 2024 rankings, Alumni Ventures was named among the Top 20 “Top US VC Firms,” underscoring its reputation as one of North America’s leading venture capital firms.
Alumni Ventures is expanding its presence in the Japanese market, including the establishment of a Japan office in Tokyo, and is strengthening initiatives designed to connect the startup ecosystems of Japan and the United States. Against this backdrop, Yaqumo has been selected as Alumni Ventures’ first investment in Japan.
Website: https://www.av.vc/
About the Financing
As global competition accelerates to bring quantum technologies into practical use, Yaqumo believes Alumni Ventures’ selection of the company as its first investment in Japan reflects strong recognition of the technological potential of Yaqumo’s neutral-atom quantum computing approach and the opportunity to build a quantum industry originating in Japan.
Through this financing, Yaqumo will further accelerate its research and development while expanding its business foundation for bringing Japan-born quantum computing technology to global markets. The company will also deepen engagement with global investors, corporations, government agencies, and other partners, particularly in North America.
Comment from Kazuhiro Nakashoji, Representative Director and CEO of Yaqumo
“We are deeply honored that Alumni Ventures, one of North America’s leading venture capital firms, has selected Yaqumo as its first investment in Japan. We view this investment as a strong vote of confidence in our ambition to move beyond research and development in Japan and pursue commercialization in global markets, including North America.
Building on Japan’s outstanding foundation in quantum science, Yaqumo aims to realize truly useful quantum computers and help expand the quantum industry globally. With this funding, we will further accelerate our research and development, talent acquisition, and partnerships in Japan and overseas, and contribute to the advancement of quantum technology worldwide as a Japan-born quantum computing company.”
Comment from Michael Phillips, Chief Legal Officer and Executive Managing Director for Asia Pacific of Alumni Ventures
“Yaqumo is an exceptionally compelling startup that combines Japan’s deep research foundation in quantum mechanics with a strong business vision for realizing practical quantum computers. Neutral-atom quantum computing is one of the key approaches for unlocking scalability in quantum computing, and we believe the Yaqumo team has the capabilities to translate this potential into real-world implementation.
This marks Alumni Ventures’ first investment in Japan through both the AV Seed Fund in North America and the Japan + US Bridge Fund. Yaqumo is a compelling example of the kind of deep technical innovation from start-ups developing from Japanese universities that our investments and network are designed to support. We look forward to fully supporting Yaqumo as it grows as a Japan-born quantum computing company connected to the global ecosystem, including North America.”
Investment Summary
Round: Seed extension round
Investor: Alumni Ventures, LLC
Investment instrument: J-KISS stock acquisition rights (Series 2)
About Yaqumo Inc.
Yaqumo Inc. is a Japanese quantum technology startup developing a scalable quantum computer based on the cold-atom architecture. Through its Ytterbium (Yb)-based approach, Yaqumo aims to realize the industrialization of practical quantum computing.
Company name: Yaqumo Inc.
Location: 1F, Yusen Building, 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Representative: Kazuhiro Nakashoji, Representative Director and CEO
Established: April 1, 2025
Business: Development of neutral-atom quantum computers
URL: https://yaqumo.com/
About J-KISS
J-KISS (Keep It Simple Security) is a streamlined convertible equity instrument designed specifically for the Japanese startup ecosystem. It allows startups and investors to raise funds quickly and flexibly without determining an initial valuation, as the investment automatically converts into equity during the next priced funding round.
