U.K. Startup Sitehop Secures £7.5m to Advance Quantum-Safe Encryption Hardware
Quantum computing is approaching rapidly, prompting a surge of activity among startups developing solutions to secure data against the potential risks posed by advanced quantum technologies. In a significant development, Sheffield, UK-based encryption company, Sitehop has secured £7.5 million in Seed funding to increase production of its ultra-low-latency, quantum-resistant hardware, technology, which may eventually be deployed within encrypted networks for the UK’s armed forces and critical infrastructure. The recent investment will also go towards facilitating the company’s international growth.
The Seed round, which was led by Northern Gritstone, with contributions from Amadeus Capital Partners, Mercia Ventures, Manta Ray Ventures, and NPIF, brings Sitehop’s total raised capital to £13.5 million.
Sitehop was co-founded in 2021 by CEO Melissa Chambers, a serial entrepreneur in the telecom industry, and CTO Ben Harper, one of the world’s top FPGA and cryptography experts. In response to the recent funding round, Chambers stated, “Sitehop is demonstrating the essential necessity for future-proof encryption, as evidenced by our early customer traction globally. As a company established in Sheffield, backing from Northern Gritstone supports our mission to expand regionally and to develop world-class sovereign encryption capabilities in the UK, helping us accelerate global expansion and maintain the nation’s leadership in cybersecurity innovation.”
Sitehop’s funding coincides with preparations by governments and defense contractors worldwide for the anticipated “quantum cliff” - the moment when sufficiently advanced quantum computers could compromise today’s public-key cryptography.
By implementing encryption through programmable silicon rather than software, Sitehop aims to facilitate a smooth transition to quantum-secure algorithms once NIST-standardized approaches are widely adopted. Several other U.K. startups, such as PQShield, are pursuing various solutions to address this imminent challenge.
Quantum Security Startups Similar to Sitehop
Sitehop specializes in field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based encryption appliances, which deliver security at line speed, a crucial advantage in environments where minimal latency is vital. Conventional software encryption can introduce latency and increase power consumption; Sitehop asserts its hardware solution reduces energy usage by up to 90% while managing data throughput in excess of hundreds of gigabits per second.
Sitehop’s flagship SAFE platform has successfully completed a proof-of-concept trial within BT’s Gemini test network, the telecommunications provider’s replica production environment for testing next-generation infrastructure. According to Sitehop, the technology is currently being deployed by a tier-one carrier operating internationally, although the customer remains unnamed.
For defense and national-security applications, encrypting sensitive communications at hardware speeds without limiting bandwidth offers significant benefits, particularly for securing battlefield communications, satellite links, or command-and-control systems where latency and efficiency are of utmost importance. Sitehop’s systems are described as crypto-agile, enabling operators to switch between encryption algorithms, including forthcoming post-quantum protocols, without the need to replace hardware.
Duncan Johnson, Chief Executive of lead investor Northern Gritstone, which also invested in passwordless encryption firm, Cavero Quantum, and FHE computing startup, Optalysys, commented that the transaction underscores the North of England’s expanding deep-tech sector. “Sitehop exemplifies the exceptional innovation emerging from Sheffield’s technology cluster, providing transformative solutions to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity strategies,” Johnson said.
Beyond telecommunications and defense, Sitehop intends to serve finance, data center operators, and industrial control networks requiring robust protection for large volumes of dynamic data. Its products are engineered for seamless integration into existing network architectures via standard interfaces, supporting compatibility with legacy infrastructure.
Although Sitehop must continue to validate the resilience of its offerings against real-world threats, its progress aligns well with current priorities. The UK government’s Cyber Security Strategy and DSIT’s Quantum Mission both emphasize establishing sovereign control over next-generation cryptographic technologies. Domestic development of encryption hardware supports these objectives and provides the Ministry of Defense and other public-sector entities with a viable alternative to American-made solutions.