Deeptech startup Nexus Quantum opens Istanbul's first quantum computing lab

Nexus Quantum, a deeptech startup founded by former METU researchers, officially launched its flagship quantum computing laboratory this month in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, marking a significant milestone for Turkey's emerging quantum ecosystem. The 2,500-square-metre facility, situated near Istiklal Avenue, represents an €8.2 million investment and houses three quantum processors alongside classical computing infrastructure designed for hybrid applications.

The lab's opening comes as Istanbul solidifies its position as a regional innovation hub competing with Tel Aviv and Dubai for deeptech investment. Over the past three years, venture capital flowing into Turkish deeptech companies has increased by 142 percent, according to data from the Istanbul Technology Development Foundation. Nexus Quantum's expansion signals growing confidence among both local and international investors in the city's technical talent pool and regulatory environment.

The startup, which emerged from Middle East Technical University's physics department in 2021, currently employs 34 researchers and engineers. Their focus spans quantum simulation for materials science, optimisation algorithms for logistics companies, and quantum machine learning applications. Early clients include major Turkish pharmaceutical firms seeking computational advantages in drug discovery—a sector where quantum approaches could reduce simulation times by orders of magnitude.

"We're not just importing technology from Silicon Valley," says Nexus Quantum's founding team in available statements. "Istanbul has the mathematical talent and industrial demand to drive original quantum research." The company's previous facility in Levent housed only software development; the new Beyoğlu location marks their first venture into hardware-level quantum experimentation within Turkey's borders.

The facility's opening reflects broader trends in Turkish tech. The Istanbul Technology Development Zone has attracted over 3,200 registered companies, generating approximately $18 billion in annual revenue. However, deeptech remains underpenetrated—quantum computing, synthetic biology, and advanced materials currently account for fewer than 8 percent of funded startups in the ecosystem.

Nexus Quantum's arrival may change that calculus. The company plans to offer quarterly access programs for academic researchers and corporate partners, with rates starting at €15,000 monthly for remote access to their quantum processors. They're also establishing a 12-week accelerator programme targeting founders working on quantum applications, launching this autumn.

For Istanbul's broader tech ambitions, the opening represents validation that the city can nurture indigenous deeptech innovation rather than merely hosting regional outposts of foreign firms. As geopolitical tensions complicate international tech collaboration, locally-rooted quantum research takes on added strategic significance for Turkey's long-term competitiveness.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.