TOKYO, September 15, 2026 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that its ME Innovation Fund has invested in OptQC Corp., a Japanese startup that develops and provides optical quantum computer hardware. This is the fund’s sixteenth investment to date.

Quantum computing is transitioning from research to practical applications, including the rapid acceleration of technological development for industrial use. These applications require hardware equipped with a large number of qubits, and among the various approaches, optical quantum computing offers superior qubit scalability and energy efficiency.

OptQC is a startup originating from the University of Tokyo. It was established based on technologies developed by the university’s Furusawa Laboratory, a world leader in optical quantum computing. The company’s optical quantum computer features proprietary architecture designed to limit increases in system size as the number of qubits grows. Its hardware technology is highly regarded for its suitability for large-scale systems. OptQC has also established a track record of progress toward practical applications, including delivering its first commercial system to a public research institution and hardware modules to private-sector companies.

Through this investment, Mitsubishi Electric expects to gain early insights into the company’s optical quantum computer hardware development technologies, related components, customers and market trends. The company aims to lead the field of quantum computing and create new business opportunities by applying these insights to its quantum technologies, software implementation knowhow and application development in industrial fields.

Kan Takase, Representative Director and CEO, OptQC Corp., said, “We are honored that Mitsubishi Electric has recognized the potential of optical quantum computing.” Through this investment, we hope to combine the expertise Mitsubishi Electric has cultivated across its broad business activities with our quantum computing technologies. Together, we aim to advance the industrial application of quantum technologies, focusing on initiatives that create new value for global society.”

Komi Matsubara, Executive Officer (Vice President, Business Innovation), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation said, “OptQC is a startup with advanced technological capabilities in developing optical quantum computer hardware and significant potential for practical applications. Through this investment, we will apply their technological and market insights to our quantum-related technologies and efforts to explore applications across industrial fields. Our goal is to create meaningful new value and promising business opportunities in quantum computing.”