QuiX Quantum, a Dutch startup engaged in the field of photonic quantum computing, has announced that it has secured €15 million in Series A funding to build the first universal quantum computer based on single photons by 2026. The funding round was co-led by Invest-NL and EIC Fund, with participation from existing investors PhotonVentures, Oost NL and Forward.one. The funding was preceded by the award of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator grant, an initiative of the European Commission that supports companies that create and influence the market with their transformative technologies.
Since its founding in 2019, QuiX Quantum has been manufacturing quantum processors, becoming the leading supplier in Europe. In 2022, it became the first company globally to commercialise 8-qubit and 64-qubit photonic quantum computers at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR QCI). In 2024, QuiX Quantum began offering cloud access to its quantum systems, creating a platform for hybrid computing and bringing quantum computing to applications in sectors such as infrastructure, defence, healthcare and information technology.
Thanks to this funding, QuiX Quantum will build its first-generation universal photonic quantum computer, designed to implement a universal set of gates capable of enabling any quantum operation, accelerating QuiX Quantum’s path towards the realisation of large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers. QuiX Quantum responds to the growing demand for greater computational power and access to real quantum hardware to test algorithms and use cases. All QuiX Quantum components and system designs are optimised from the design stage for high-volume production, scalability and energy efficiency. The funding round also strengthens the European supply chain, consolidating QuiX Quantum’s role as a benchmark in the development of the Old Continent’s photonic quantum ecosystem.
“This round of funding fuels our commitment to further developing the fundamental building blocks needed for a fault-tolerant universal quantum computer,” said Stefan Hengesbach, CEO of QuiX Quantum, in a statement. . “With our first-generation system, we will demonstrate universality in 2026 by overcoming long-standing challenges in fast feed-forward electronics and single-photon sources. The next-generation system, planned for 2027, will focus on implementing error correction, a crucial step towards fault-tolerant systems that can transform industries such as chemical engineering, drug development, fraud detection and advanced manufacturing.”
QuiX Quantum’s universal photonic quantum computer uses the principles of superposition, entanglement and interference to process information in ways that are radically different from classical computers. Based on silicon nitride chips designed for large-scale production, its systems are highly scalable, operate primarily at room temperature and are fully compatible with data centre environments. These advances will enable unprecedented computational capabilities in areas such as catalyst simulation, molecular dynamics, machine learning and data analysis.
Liz Duijves of Invest-NL Deep Tech Funds says in a statement: “QuiX Quantum is one of Europe’s most promising full-stack quantum computing companies, with technology capable of reshaping critical sectors such as healthcare, energy and AI. Our investment in QuiX not only promotes revolutionary innovation in quantum technology, but also strengthens European leadership and consolidates a thriving deeptech ecosystem in the Netherlands.
Svetoslava Georgieva, chair of the EIC Fund Board, adds: “We congratulate QuiX Quantum on this important milestone. The success of their Series A funding round demonstrates not only the value of their technology and team, but also the growing confidence in the European deeptech ecosystem. The EIC Fund is proud to support QuiX Quantum on a journey that will lead to new levels of quantum innovation and strengthen Europe’s leadership in this strategic sector.
Jordy Schaufeli, investment manager at Oost NL, states: “QuiX Quantum is the only company in the Netherlands developing a quantum computer based on silicon nitride photonic chips, a distinctive and promising technology. Quantum computers can solve problems that go far beyond the capabilities of current supercomputers, enabling advances in fields such as materials science, energy, healthcare and logistics. Together with Invest-NL, EIC, PhotonVentures and Forward.one, we are proud to support QuiX Quantum and strengthen the eastern Netherlands as a leading region for photonics and quantum technology.
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