Quantum Computing: Top 5 Deals in Europe in 2023

November 21, 2023

NKT Photonics

On June 24th, 2022, it was publicly disclosed that Hamamatsu Photonics had initiated the acquisition of NKT Photonics, a well-established Danish manufacturer and distributor of lasers and laser equipment components, for an estimated sum of EUR 226 million (£199.54 million). Despite having secured approvals from several countries, including Germany, the UK, and the US, Denmark initially declined the acquisition on May 2nd, 2023, citing concerns related to national security. Nevertheless, Hamamatsu remains resolute in its determination to acquire NKT Photonics and, subsequently, submitted a fresh application on July 20th, 2023, to the Danish Business Authority, with the intent of securing the requisite approval for the acquisition. In light of this situation, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to engage in proactive discussions with Danish authorities to address any concerns and expedite the approval process.

NKT Photonics specialises in producing laser products that serve a variety of purposes, including functioning as white light sources in microscopes, serving as light sources for inspecting cutting-edge semiconductor devices, facilitating surgical procedures, supporting lasers for cold traps of ions and atoms in the field of quantum computing, among other applications. As Hamamatsu continues to expand its laser business, NKT Photonics’ products, particularly their compact and lightweight fibre lasers, are poised to play a pivotal role in this growth.

Quantum Motion

Quantum Motion successfully secured £42 million in Series B venture funding on February 20th, 2023, with Bosch Ventures leading the investment. This significant funding round stands as one of the most substantial investments in quantum computing within the UK. This financial injection positions Quantum Motion to expedite the development of its silicon quantum processor by solidifying its partnerships with manufacturing collaborators and expanding the footprint of its central London headquarters, tripling its existing size.

Quantum Motion leverages complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processing in its quantum computing designs, facilitating the creation of high-density qubits. These qubits are scalable, empowering Quantum Motion to address real-world quantum computing challenges effectively. This scalability offers users the ability to minimise errors and elevate overall computational quality.

Quandela

On November 7th 2023, Quandela secured EUR 35.4 million (£30.76 million) in venture funding with the support of investors such as Omnes Capital, European Innovation Council Fund, Crédit Mutuel Innovation, Serena Capital, Quantonation, and Bpifrance. These funds will fuel the company’s global growth efforts and ramp up quantum computer production to cater to the demands of industrial clientele.

The quantum computing platform operator aims to expedite the advancement of quantum communication networks and optical quantum computers. Their technology harnesses the power of single-photon source devices, which seamlessly integrate photonics and semiconductor quantum dots. This innovation enhances the efficiency of collecting emitted photons, paving the way for attainable goals in the near term, especially in the realm of photon-based quantum computers.

PlancQ

Plancq secured €29 million (£25.61 million) in grant funding from the German Aerospace Centre on May 4th 2023. This funding has been allocated towards the development of a scalable quantum computing hardware and software platform based on digital neutral atoms. The objective is to showcase the capabilities of quantum algorithms in addressing real-world challenges.

Plancq’s quantum machines employ individual atoms as highly efficient qubits. These qubits are meticulously organised into scalable arrays and precisely manipulated using lasers. The combination of quantum techniques adopted by Plancq offers the fastest path to achieving thousands of qubits, a critical requirement for quantum advantage in industry applications.

NVision Imaging Technologies

On June 22nd 2023, NVision Imaging Technologies secured $30 million (£23.93 million) in Series A funding through investors including Sparkasse Ulm, Pathena, Playground Global, b2venture, Entrée Capital, ES Capital Partners, and Lauder Partners. This funding will advance the development and adoption of the NVision Polarizer, a significant step towards innovative metabolic MRI techniques and, in the long term, personalised cancer treatments.

In contrast to traditional polarisers that pose challenges in the MRI environment due to their slow, complex nature, the NVision Polarizer is designed for speed, durability, and user-friendliness. Leveraging an innovative parahydrogen-induced polarisation (PHIP) technique, the NVision team capitalises on breakthroughs in quantum physics, chemistry, and engineering to revolutionise metabolic MRI technology.

Talent Insight

“These deals are paving the way for groundbreaking innovations, scalability, and smoother integration in the quantum industry. With substantial investments and strategic collaborations, there’s a clear push towards unified solutions that bring together diverse quantum technologies. As the quantum field continues to evolve, the demand for professionals skilled in quantum application development, scalability strategies, and quantum-safe security measures will skyrocket.”

– Tyler Huskins, Advanced Technology Executive Search Specialist

Published on 21-11-2023