Quix Quantum Raises €15M to Build First Universal Photonic Quantum Computer
QuiX Quantum, a photonic quantum computing company based in Enschede, Netherlands, announced it has raised €15 million in Series A funding to develop a single-photon-based universal quantum computer with delivery targeted for 2026.
The funding round was co-led by Invest NL and the EIC Fund, with participation from existing investors PhotonVentures, Oost NL, and FORWARD.one. Prior to this, QuiX Quantum was awarded support from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme, an initiative of the European Commission aimed at supporting companies advancing transformative technologies.
The Series A funding will support efforts to advance essential building blocks for a universal quantum computer. The planned first-generation system aims to address challenges in fast feed-forward electronics and single-photon sources, demonstrating universality in 2026. A subsequent system, scheduled for 2027, is intended to introduce error correction mechanisms.
QuiX Quantum, established in 2019, specializes in photonic quantum computing hardware, particularly its Universal Quantum Computer. Its first system has already been sold and contracted for delivery. The company operates five offices throughout Europe and focuses on the development of quantum processors. Its goal is to become a primary supplier of quantum computing hardware in Europe.
In 2022, the company delivered both 8-qubit and 64-qubit photonic quantum computers to the German Aerospace Center (DLR QCI). In 2024, QuiX Quantum began providing cloud access to its quantum systems, enabling hybrid computing solutions for application in sectors including infrastructure, defense, healthcare, and IT.
Representatives from the investment partners commented on the potential impact of QuiX Quantum’s technology on sectors such as healthcare, energy, and AI, and on its role in advancing quantum innovation and technological leadership within Europe. With the new funding, QuiX Quantum plans to deliver its universal photonic quantum computer designed to perform any quantum operation through a universal gate set. This development is positioned as a major step towards large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers.
The company intends to respond to increasing demand from data centers and users requiring more computational power and access to quantum hardware for algorithm testing and practical use cases. It reports that its components and systems are optimized for high-volume production, scalability, and energy efficiency. “Our Series A funding round fuels our mission to further develop the core building blocks required for a fault-tolerant universal quantum computer,” said Dr. - Ing. Stefan Hengesbach, CEO of QuiX Quantum.
QuiX Quantum’s universal photonic quantum computer utilizes superposition, entanglement, and interference to process information differently from classical computers. The company’s systems use silicon-nitride chips designed for scalable manufacturing and are intended for compatibility with data-center environments. Jordy Schaufeli, investment manager at Oost NL, noted, “QuiX Quantum is the only company in the Netherlands developing a quantum computer based on photonic silicon nitride chips - a distinctive and promising technology.” Collectively, these features are expected to support computational advancements in catalyst simulations, molecular dynamics, machine learning, and data analysis.
Liz Duijves, of Invest-NL Deep Tech Funds, remarked, “QuiX Quantum is one of Europe’s most promising full-stack quantum computing companies, with a technology that can reshape critical sectors like healthcare, energy and AI. Our investment in QuiX not only catalyzes breakthrough innovation in quantum technology, but also strengthens Europe’s leadership and reinforces a thriving deep tech ecosystem in the Netherlands.”