Q-CTRL
Q-CTRL develops AI-powered infrastructure software for quantum computing. The Sydney-based company has raised $133M, most recently in a Series B round in October 2024, and employs 213 people.
The growth story
Q-CTRL grew from 56 to 213 employees between 2021 and 2026, raising $133M along the way, most recently a Series B in October 2024.
About
Q-CTRL builds software that helps manage and optimize quantum computing systems. Its tools are used by organizations working with quantum technology to improve performance and reliability.
The company has grown rapidly since its 2017 founding, securing major funding from investors including Airbus Ventures and DCVC. Its engineering team makes up nearly 30% of its workforce, reflecting its technical focus.
Founders and leadership
Engineering is Q-CTRL's largest function with 63 staff. The company is led by a technical team with backgrounds in quantum physics and software development.
The Q-CTRL org chart
Michael Biercuk (CEO & Founder) leads 45 mapped leaders with 7 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Engineering 89 (+41% YoY), Research 49 (+53% YoY), Arts and Design 8 (+60% YoY), Information Technology 7 (0% YoY), Product Management 7 (0% YoY), Human Resources 6 (+50% YoY).
Talent flow
Q-CTRL recruits heavily from Australian universities, particularly the University of Sydney and Australian National University. Its alumni have moved to tech companies like Canva and AWS, and some have founded quantum-focused startups.
Most common previous employers of Q-CTRL staff: Baraja (14), The Australian National University (10), University of Sydney (10), The University of Queensland (6), IBM (5), HRL Laboratories (4). Former Q-CTRL employees most often moved to Canva (4), Amazon Web Services (AWS) (3), Google (2), Performl (2), Slack (1), Innovation Bay (1).
Alumni worth knowing
The Q-CTRL mafia
Five Q-CTRL alumni have founded companies, mostly in quantum technology. These include Iceberg Quantum (15 staff) and Analog Quantum Circuits (9 staff).
5Felix Thomsen, was Quantum Control Engineer until 2020Tom Stace, was Principal / Lead Quantum Control Engineer until 2022Harrison Ball, was Head Of Research until 2021Tabish Bidiwale, was Senior Software Engineer until 2025Marcus Cramer, was Quantum Business Lead - Europe until 2021Hiring now
Web traffic
Traffic mix: 26% direct, 65% search, 6% social, 1% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at Q-CTRL: Python (Programming Language) (105), MATLAB (58), Research Skills (55), Data Analysis (47), C++ (45), C (Programming Language) (42), Physics (41), Leadership (40).
Where the team actually sits
Q-CTRL people are concentrated in New South Wales, Australia (65), Greater Sydney Area (25), California, United States (23), Australia (10). 4 offices on record.
Search footprint
Q-CTRL attracts about 880 organic search visits a month, traffic worth roughly $5K a month if bought through ads. It gained 190 ranking keywords and lost 108 in the last period.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 4.60 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 4.80 / 5
- Senior management
- 4.80 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 4.80 / 5
Frequently asked
Q-CTRL has 213 employees as of September 2026.
Q-CTRL has raised $133M in total, most recently a Series B round in October 2024.
Q-CTRL was founded in 2017 by Michael Biercuk.
Michael Biercuk (CEO & Founder) sits at the top of Q-CTRL's reporting structure, with 7 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current Q-CTRL staff are Baraja (14 people), The Australian National University (10 people), University of Sydney (10 people).
Former Q-CTRL employees most often move to Canva (4), Amazon Web Services (AWS) (3), Google (2).
At least 5 companies have a founder who previously worked at Q-CTRL, including Iceberg Quantum, Analog Quantum Circuits, Performl.
Q-CTRL attracts about 880 organic search visits a month, worth roughly $5K a month in equivalent ad spend.
The most common skills among Q-CTRL staff are Python (Programming Language), MATLAB, Research Skills, Data Analysis, C++.
Q-CTRL staff are concentrated in New South Wales, Australia (65), Greater Sydney Area (25), California, United States (23).
Q-CTRL has about 89 people in Engineering, up 41% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Q-CTRL has about 49 people in Research, up 53% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 163 current and 101 former Q-CTRL profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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