Communications security startup Q*Bird has raised a €2.5 million round to accelerate its growth in the emerging quantum security market.

Founded in January 2022 in Delft, Q*Bird’s goal is to protect data communications and digital infrastructure, using patented technology that outperforms the competition on security and cost.

Its tech provides secure foundations for the future ‘quantum internet’, which will see quantum computers connecting over long distances around the world.

The company has developed a unique quantum cryptography (QKD) product called Falqon, which is based on the fundamental laws of nature and provides provable security against any attack, including those from future quantum computers.

Q*Bird is currently involved in a large-scale trial of its technology at the Port of Rotterdam, a key part of the European trade economy. 

It has already secured a launch customer for Falqon, and their product line is due to officially launch later in the year. 

It has also signed three other contracts to deploy quantum networks across Europe and partnered with Eurofiber to enhance the security of its networks and its customers.

“My vision for Q*Bird is to become the largest supplier of quantum networking equipment in Europe, US, and beyond,” says co-founder and CEO Ingrid Romijn. 

“Today, we build devices for quantum-secured data communications. In the future, we will enable general purpose quantum connectivity, by providing new products and seamlessly integrating those with our already existing quantum cryptography network.”

Compared to other quantum security companies, Q*Bird offers superior upgradability and scalability, with a lower cost per additional user once the technology is in place. 

QDNL Participations and Cottonwood Technology Fund jointly led the fund with participation from InnovationQuarter.

According to Alain le Loux, General Partner at Cottonwood Technology Fund: 

“We are thrilled to back this pioneering quantum cybersecurity company that is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions to safeguard data and systems against emerging threats. The untappable solution of Q*Bird will dramatically change the cybersecurity world,” 

Ton van ‘t Noordende, General Partner at lead investor QDNL Participations, said:

“There is growing recognition in today’s world that digital information transfer is not definitely secure, particularly in a post-quantum era. QBird’s technology sets itself apart from existing post-quantum cryptography technologies by providing inherent security that is effectively untappable.”

The fresh funding will be used to scale up sales of Falqon, and develop further products in the quantum security space.

Lead image: Q*Bird founders: Joshua Slater, Ingrid Romijn, and Remon Berrevoets.