Business ExpandingCybersecurity company Quantum Bridge Technologies conducts proof-of-concept (PoC) following the establishment of its exclusive distributor in Tokyo

Quantum Bridge Technologies (QBT) is a company specializing in quantum‑safe cybersecurity, founded in 2019 as a spin‑out based on research outcomes from the University of Toronto in Canada. As advances in quantum computing raise concerns that the security of existing cryptographic schemes may be compromised in the future, the company has been developing cryptographic infrastructure technologies that support the implementation of post‑quantum cryptography (PQC) and can interoperate with quantum key distribution (QKD). The company’s core technology is its proprietary Distributed Symmetric Key Establishment (DSKE) protocol. This technology is characterized by its ability to provide quantum‑resistant key distribution and management in a form that can be integrated into existing communications infrastructure. It is offered for use cases such as secure data communications for government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and telecommunications providers.

To establish a business development framework for the Japanese market, QBT entered into a business partnership with QNS Services Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), which was established in November 2024 with a capital participation from QBT director, and appointed it as its exclusive general agent in Japan. In April 2026, QBT conducted a proof of concept (PoC) in Japan combining its DSKE technology with Toshiba’s quantum key distribution (QKD) system, successfully completing the planned verification. In this PoC, a redundant configuration was constructed in which Toshiba’s QKD system was used as the primary channel and QBT’s DSKE as the secondary channel, confirming that encrypted communications could be maintained even in the event of a network failure. This demonstration was presented as an initiative assuming real‑world operation that combines different quantum‑safe key distribution methods.

In entering the Japanese market, the JETRO Invest Japan Business Support Center (IBSC) provided support for the company’s business development by offering consultations on corporate registration and legal matters, advice from industry advisors, opportunities for meetings with a domestic corporate venture capital (CVC) firm, and assistance with participation in Innovation Leaders Summit (ILS) 2025.

Currently, QBT is advancing the standardization and commercialization of its cryptographic technologies through QNS, targeting both academia and industry. Preparations are underway for validating technical effectiveness through industry–academia collaboration with universities, as well as for conducting PoCs with Japanese companies. Going forward, the company plans to promote collaborative development and the standardization of technical specifications within Japan.

As cybersecurity measures are recognized as an essential foundational technology for strengthening and advancing national government strategies as a whole, QBT’s quantum‑safe cryptographic technologies are attracting attention from a strategic investment and attraction perspective, given their potential to support Japan’s industrial competitiveness and the security of critical infrastructure.