Qunova Computing
Company & Technology Overview
A Korean quantum software pioneer specializing in hybrid quantum algorithms for chemistry, drug discovery, and advanced material design
About the Company
Qunova Computing, Inc. is a South Korea–based quantum computing software company founded in 2021 and headquartered in Daejeon, South Korea. The company was established by Professor June-Koo (Jun-Gu) Rhee from KAIST, with deep academic and industry expertise in quantum algorithms and computational chemistry.
Qunova is recognized as one of Korea's first quantum computing venture startups, focusing on delivering real-world applications of quantum computing across industries.
Mission & Focus
Qunova's mission is to unlock quantum advantage for scientific and industrial problems that are beyond the reach of classical supercomputers. Their work bridges the gap between emerging quantum hardware and near-term commercial applications, especially in:
Quantum chemistry simulation
Drug discovery acceleration
Advanced material design
Optimization problems in engineering and logistics
Core Technology
Hybrid Quantum Algorithms:
Qunova developed HI-VQE (Handover Iteration Variational Quantum Eigensolver) — a proprietary hybrid quantum algorithm that combines quantum and classical computing to solve complex molecular simulation tasks with chemical accuracy.
This algorithm has been validated across multiple quantum hardware platforms and was added to IBM's Qiskit Functions catalog, demonstrating hardware-agnostic performance.
Platforms & Products
Qunova's roadmap includes two flagship platforms designed to revolutionize computational science:
Pulsar
ab initio quantum simulation for chemical modeling
Milky Way
quantum AI & optimization platform for drug/material discovery
Both aim to accelerate computational tasks up to 1,000× compared with classical methods
Funding & Growth
Qunova successfully raised a $10M+ Series A funding round in 2025 led by major investors including Korea Development Bank (KDB) and several venture partners. This capital is supporting expansion, R&D scaling, and talent growth.
Achievements & Recognition
Chemical Accuracy Milestone
Qunova's algorithms have achieved chemical accuracy — a key industry threshold demonstrating practical quantum computing benefits beyond theoretical research.
Forbes Asia Recognition
Recognized as a Forbes Asia "100 to Watch" startup for quantum technology leadership.
Industry Partnerships
Collaborative engagements and proof-of-concept partnerships with academic and industrial organizations (e.g., POSCO on new materials research).
Why Qunova Matters
Qunova is positioned at the convergence of quantum computing and high-value industrial applications. Unlike many quantum startups focused solely on hardware, Qunova delivers software-centric solutions that can directly accelerate R&D cycles in pharmaceuticals, materials science, and complex optimization industries — sectors that are increasingly strategic for European technology and innovation roadmaps.
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Quick Summary
Perfect for outreach and partnership discussions
Qunova Computing (https://qunovacomputing.com/) is a Korean quantum software pioneer specializing in hybrid quantum algorithms for chemistry, drug discovery, and advanced material design. Their flagship HI-VQE technology achieves chemical accuracy on commercial quantum hardware and offers near-term quantum advantage for real-world industrial problems. Supported by a $10M+ Series A and recognized by Forbes Asia, Qunova is actively seeking European partners to explore co-innovation in computational science and quantum-accelerated R&D.
Connect With Qunova
Qunova Computing is actively seeking European partners to explore co-innovation in computational science and quantum-accelerated R&D.