Active Testbed · 2024 onwards
Asteroidea photonic testbed (ORCA Computing)
Asteroidea
A photonic quantum computing testbed built for the National Quantum Computing Centre under its 2024 testbed programme.
Role: Lead
Themes: Computing
ORCA Computing
Company · London
ORCA Computing builds photonic quantum computers that carry information in the timing of single photons in optical fibre, so its rack-mounted PT Series machines run at room temperature. The London company, incorporated in 2019 around a quantum memory invented at the University of Oxford, supplied a photonic testbed to the National Quantum Computing Centre under the 2024 testbed programme and led the Innovate UK-funded Quantum Data Centre of the Future project with BT. In May 2026 its systems went on show at Digital Realty's new London innovation lab, and in June 2026 it delivered a PT Series system to an industrial customer in Japan with Toyota Tsusho.
Founded in 2019, ORCA Computing is a company in London focused on quantum photonics, cryogenics and hardware. It leads 2 UK projects (Asteroidea and The Quantum Data Centre of the Future) and is a partner in 7 more. People profiled here include Josh Nunn (Co-Founder and CSO) and Richard Murray (Co-Founder and CEO).
Sources: ORCA Computing news · Quantum computing testbeds (NQCC) · The Quantum Data Centre of the Future (UKRI Gateway to Research) · ORCA Computing Limited (Companies House) · ORCA Computing team
Projects (9)
Leads (2)
- Completed Consortium · 2022 to 2025
The Quantum Data Centre of the Future
An ORCA-led consortium that designed and demonstrated how a quantum computer could sit inside a data centre alongside classical systems.
Role: Lead
Themes: Computing, Communications, Networks
Partner in (7)
- Active Hub · 2024 to 2029
Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations
QCi3
The national research hub for quantum computing, led by the University of Oxford. It works on scalable and networked quantum computers.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Computing, Networks, Software and algorithms
- Active Hub · 2024 to 2029
Integrated Quantum Networks Quantum Technology Research Hub
IQN
A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Networks, Communications
- Active Programme · 2024 onwards
NQCC Quantum Computing Testbed Programme
A £30m programme that paid seven companies to build prototype quantum computers, known as testbeds, at the NQCC in Harwell.
Role: Partner
Funding: £30m
Themes: Computing
- Completed Consortium · 2025 to 2026
Quantum-Accelerated Mixed-Integer Optimisation for Aircraft Loading
A 4colors-led proof of concept that tested hybrid classical and quantum algorithms for loading cargo on aircraft.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
- Completed Consortium · 2024 to 2025
From batteries to windfarms: Quantum optimisation solutions for the renewable sector
Frazer-Nash, ORCA Computing and The Crown Estate looked at whether quantum optimisation can help renewable energy planning.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
- Completed Consortium · 2020 to 2024
DISCOVERY: Developing UK Industrial Supply for Commercial Quantum Computing
DISCOVERY
An M Squared-led consortium that worked on the photonics needed to scale neutral-atom, trapped-ion and optical quantum computers.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing
- Completed Consortium · 2020 to 2024
Next Generation Satellite QKD: Creating a UK Sovereign Capability for Manufacturing Satellite QKD Payloads
An Arqit-led consortium working on UK manufacture of quantum key distribution payloads for satellites.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
In the news
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention ORCA Computing.
Anyon Computing links quantum processors to GPUs with NVIDIA tech, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Anyon Computing unveiled a new open quantum control system built on NVIDIA NVQLink, designed so its microwave quantum control cluster and quantum processors join GPU and CPU compute nodes as co-processor nodes of a single supercomputing machine. The system will be open-sourced and serve as the contr
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
How Do Photonic Quantum Computers Work?, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Photonic quantum computers encode a qubit in a single particle of light, steer it through a programmable maze of glass and count it with superconducting detectors, and the chips come off ordinary 300 millimetre semiconductor lines. As of mid-2026 no photonic platform has demonstrated a peer-reviewed
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Sir Peter Knight, The Physicist Who Helped Build Britain’s Quantum Programme, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The theorist who taught British quantum physics to cost itself honestly, and who now chairs the board advising on a national quantum strategy worth billions.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Will The UK’s New Prime Minister Sink The UK’s Quantum Industry?, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The incoming prime minister has reportedly asked officials to draw up plans to abolish DSIT. Here is how that decision could play out for the UK quantum sector, from quiet climbdown to compound failure.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Partnerships (6)
Research, commercial and investment relationships, by year. Partners with a profile here are linked.
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PCSS Commercial 2026
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SiC Systems Commercial 2026
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Oxford Quantum Circuits Investment 2025
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ST Engineering Research 2025
-
BAE Systems Commercial 2023
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National Security Strategic Investment Fund Investment
Recorded on National Security Strategic Investment Fund's profile.
Products
-
quantumqubo (external site)
Software sdk · Available
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ORCA PT-2 (external site)
Quantum processor · Available
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ORCA PT-1 (external site)
Quantum processor · Available
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ORCA SDK (external site)
Software sdk · Limited access
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Company data from Entangled Future. News from Quantum Zeitgeist. Last checked 10 October 2026.
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