Xanadu Advances to Stage B of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, Securing up to $15 Million in Funding
Company to deliver strategic roadmap to fault tolerant, utility-scale photonic quantum computing
TORONTO, Nov. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. (“Xanadu”), a leading photonic quantum computing company, today announced it has advanced to Stage B of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (“QBI”). This progress positions the company alongside a select few organizations who are demonstrating a credible path toward utility-scale quantum computing and reinforces Xanadu’s photonic quantum computing approach.
QBI aims to determine which quantum computing approach will reach utility-scale, and which modalities can deliver value on realistic budgets and real-world timelines. Stage B marks a critical phase in this program, where DARPA will conduct an intensive, year-long examination of organizations’ comprehensive development, scaling, and cost control strategies. During this phase, Xanadu will present its plans that outline how to realize a fault tolerant, utility-scale quantum computer, detail associated risks and mitigation strategies, and set forth the steps needed to address any technical challenges.
“Advancing to Stage B is a testament to our team’s ability to execute on our practical path to commercially useable quantum computing and validates not only the photonic modality, but also our commitment to creating fault tolerant quantum computers by 2029,” said Christian Weedbrook, CEO of Xanadu. “This phase allows us to demonstrate our near-term capabilities and our vision for building quantum computers that can help enterprises solve real-world problems at scale. We’re excited to enter the next stage and contribute to the broader quantum computing ecosystem.”
Xanadu’s photonic quantum computing architecture offers distinct advantages over traditional quantum systems, including minimal cooling requirements due to room-temperature operations, enhanced qubit connectivity that enables more efficient fault tolerant operations, and a modular, networkable design that is critical for achieving practical quantum computing. Xanadu’s latest photonic quantum computer, Aurora, serves as a proof-of-concept for this approach, providing the fundamental building blocks needed for large-scale, error-corrected quantum computing.
Participation in Stage B of QBI reinforces Xanadu’s mission to develop quantum computing solutions that deliver practical value across industries, including drug discovery, advanced chemistry, aerospace, defense and AI. Organizations that successfully complete Stage B will advance to Stage C, where their quantum computer concept will be verified and validated to ensure they can be constructed as designed and operated as intended.
Business Combination
Xanadu recently announced a business combination agreement with Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: CHAC), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (“Crane Harbor”). The business combination is expected to provide approximately US$500 million in gross proceeds, assuming no redemptions from Crane Harbor trust account. The combined company is expected to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market and on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
About Xanadu
Xanadu is a Canadian quantum computing company with the mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. Founded in 2016, Xanadu has become one of the world’s leading quantum hardware and software companies. The company also leads the development of PennyLane, an open-source software library for quantum computing and application development. Visit xanadu.ai or follow us on X @XanaduAI.
About Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp
Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
Additional Information About the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It
The proposed transaction will be submitted to shareholders of Crane Harbor and Xanadu for their consideration. The combined company intends to file a registration statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement/prospectus to be distributed to Crane Harbor’s shareholders in connection with Crane Harbor’s solicitation for proxies for the vote by Crane Harbor’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction and other matters to be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to Xanadu’s shareholders in connection with the completion of the proposed transaction. After the Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents will be mailed to Crane Harbor shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the proposed transaction. Before making any voting or investment decision, Crane Harbor shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, once available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC by Crane Harbor in connection with the proposed transaction, as these documents will contain important information about Crane Harbor, Xanadu and the proposed transaction. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, once available, as well as other documents filed by Crane Harbor with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a written request to Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp., 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 1111, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. We have based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events. These statements include: projections of market opportunity and market share; the stock exchanges on which the shares of the combined company are expected to trade; pro forma enterprise value of the combined company; gross and net proceeds from the transaction and related PIPE; funds received by the combined company from Crane Harbor’s trust account and redemptions by Crane Harbor’s public shareholders; estimates of customer penetration rates and usage patterns; projections regarding Xanadu’s ability to commercialize new products and technologies and the timing thereof; Xanadu’s ability to scale its existing products; projections of development and commercialization costs and timelines; expectations regarding Xanadu’s ability to execute its business model and the expected financial benefits of such model; expectations regarding Xanadu’s ability to attract, retain, and expand its customer base; Xanadu’s deployment of proceeds from capital raising transactions; Xanadu’s expectations concerning relationships with strategic partners, suppliers, governments, state-funded entities, regulatory bodies and other third parties; Xanadu’s ability to maintain, protect, and enhance its intellectual property; future partnerships, ventures or investments in companies, products, services, or technologies; development of favorable regulations affecting Xanadu’s markets; the successful consummation and potential benefits of the proposed transaction and expectations related to its terms and timing; Xanadu expected value creation and the potential for Xanadu to increase in value.
These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of Xanadu and Crane Harbor. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause the actual results of the combined company following the proposed transaction, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include: that Xanadu is pursuing an emerging technology, faces significant technical challenges and may not achieve commercialization or market acceptance; Xanadu’s historical net losses and limited operating history; Xanadu’s expectations regarding future financial performance, capital requirements and unit economics; Xanadu’s use and reporting of business and operational metrics; Xanadu’s competitive landscape; Xanadu’s dependence on members of its senior management and its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the potential need for additional future financing; Xanadu’s ability to manage growth and expand its operations; potential future acquisitions or investments in companies, products, services or technologies; Xanadu’s reliance on strategic partners and other third parties; Xanadu’s concentration of revenue in contracts with government or state-funded entities; Xanadu’s ability to maintain, protect and defend its intellectual property rights; risks associated with privacy, data protection or cybersecurity incidents and related regulations; the use, rate of adoption, and regulation of artificial intelligence and machine learning; uncertainty or changes with respect to laws and regulations; uncertainty or changes with respect to taxes, trade conditions and the macroeconomic environment; the combined company’s ability to maintain internal control over financial reporting and operate as a public company; the possibility that required shareholder and regulatory approvals for the proposed transaction are delayed or are not obtained, which could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed transaction; the risk that shareholders of Crane Harbor could elect to have their shares redeemed, leaving the combined company with insufficient cash to execute its business plans; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the business combination agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings or government investigations that may be commenced against Xanadu or Crane Harbor; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction; the ability of Crane Harbor or the combined company to issue equity or equity-linked securities in connection with the proposed transaction or in the future; and other factors described in Crane Harbor’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, including none of the risks identified above materialize; there are no unforeseen changes to economic and market conditions, and no significant events occur outside the ordinary course of business. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact such forward-looking statements can be found in filings and potential filings by Xanadu, Crane Harbor or the combined company resulting from the proposed transaction with the SEC, including under the heading “Risk Factors.” If any of these risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements reflect the expectations, plans and forecasts of Xanadu’s and Crane Harbor’s management as of the date of this communication; subsequent events and developments may cause their assessments to change. While Xanadu and Crane Harbor may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, unless required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon these statements.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this presentation, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
An investment in Crane Harbor is not an investment in any of our founders’ or sponsors’ past investments, companies or affiliated funds. The historical results of those investments are not indicative of future performance of Crane Harbor, which may differ materially from the performance of our founders’ or sponsors’ past investments.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This communication is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an advertisement or a public offering of the securities described herein in the United States or any other jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exemptions therefrom. INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an advertisement or a public offering in any province or territory of Canada.
Participants in the Solicitation
Crane Harbor, Xanadu and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Crane Harbor’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of Crane Harbor’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction will be set forth in proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed by Crane Harbor with the SEC. You can find more information about Crane Harbor’s directors and executive officers in Crane Harbor’s final prospectus related to its initial public offering filed with the SEC on April 25, 2025 and in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed by Crane Harbor with the SEC. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available. Shareholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources described above.
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