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The unique challenges and opportunities of quantum tech fundraising

Quantum startups face a distinct fundraising journey — one that requires visionary storytelling, investor education and a long-term view on commercial success.

Biliana Rajevic Biliana is Head of Strategy for Quantum Brilliance, and an executive with more than 28 years of experience across financial services and technology.
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Quantum company founders must explain not only the business model but also the underlying science to investors, writes Biliana Rajevic. Shutterstock.

At Quantum Brilliance, we recently concluded our Series A funding round, raising US$20 million ($31.8 million) to drive our next phase of growth. This marked the result of a journey filled with lessons about navigating the intricate landscape of deep tech fundraising.

Raising capital is never straightforward. Doing it for a quantum startup is a different game altogether, requiring a nuanced approach that aligns the transformative potential of the technology with investor expectations.

Throughout the process, we engaged with a diverse group of investors, from quantum specialists and quantum curious deep tech investors to strategic partners and sovereign wealth funds. What stood out wasn’t just the need for capital, but the importance of finding the right investors: those who truly understand the complexities of quantum technology, appreciate the long-term horizon and recognise its potential to reshape industries.

In this piece, I’ll explore what makes quantum tech fundraising different — especially compared to my past experiences raising capital in well-established sectors like software-as-a-service (SaaS). In doing so, I want to highlight the unique challenges and share insights for both founders and investors navigating this exciting space.

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