ORCA Computing

ORCA Computing, established in 2019 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, is at the forefront of developing full-stack photonic quantum computers. The company was co-founded by Richard Murray (CEO), Professor Ian Walmsley (Chairman), Joshua Nunn (CSO), and Cristina Escoda. The founders bring a wealth of experience to the venture. Murray holds a Ph.D. in quantum atom-optics and previously led the UK's national quantum technologies program. Walmsley's extensive 30-year research career in photonics forms the scientific bedrock of the company. Nunn, a former Royal Society University Research Fellow at Oxford, led the team that invented the core ORCA memory technology. Escoda contributes a strong background in finance and deep-tech startups.

The company's core business revolves around providing quantum computing systems that address complex problems in areas like machine learning, generative AI, and optimization. ORCA targets clients such as government defense agencies, national quantum computing centers, and supercomputing facilities that own extensive computing infrastructure. Notable clients include the UK Ministry of Defence, the National Quantum Computing Centre (UK), and the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center in Poland. The business model focuses on selling these on-premises quantum systems, which are designed to function as accelerators for existing classical high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure.

ORCA's key technological differentiator is its approach to photonic quantum computing, which utilizes light particles (photons) and operates at room temperature. This method avoids the need for the expensive and cumbersome cryogenic cooling required by many other quantum computing platforms. The system is built using a modular, fiber-optic-based architecture and incorporates readily available telecommunications components, which facilitates scalability and integration. A central component of their technology is a proprietary quantum memory that allows for the storage and synchronization of quantum operations, addressing a fundamental challenge in optical quantum computing. The company offers the PT Series of quantum computers, including the PT-1 and the more advanced PT-2, which can be integrated into standard data center racks. These systems are accessible through a Python-based SDK integrated with PyTorch, simplifying development for machine learning users.

Since its inception, ORCA has achieved significant milestones. In June 2022, the company secured $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Octopus Ventures. It was also selected to lead the £11.6 million 'Quantum Data Centre of the Future' project by the UK government. A key strategic move was the January 2024 acquisition of the integrated photonics division of GXC, a Texas-based company, which brought in valuable intellectual property and an experienced team. By early 2025, ORCA had delivered ten on-premises quantum photonic systems to customers worldwide.

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