From prototype to photonic quantum leader.

Founded:

2019

Tech

Quantum Computing

Forward.one entry point:

2019 (pre-seed)

Headquarters

Enschede, The Netherlands

The Challenge

Quantum computing promised exponential power, but most architectures were stuck in lab fridges and PowerPoint roadmaps. Europe needed a scalable, room-temperature platform that could move from experiments to deployed systems, fast. QuiX Quantum has set out to build universal photonic quantum computers that run at the speed of light and anchor Europe’s own quantum hardware stack.

FORWARD.one involvement

We partnered with QuiX Quantum at pre-seed, backing a team that cares about silicon nitride, loss budgets, and shipping real hardware. As the company scaled, we helped recruit key management and the chairman of the board. We also stayed hands-on through product strategy, fundraising, and early customer engagement.

When it was time to move from flagship contracts to full-stack systems, we decided to double down, and played a leading role in the €15M Series A and supporting the roadmap to Europe’s first single-photon universal quantum computer.

The next-generation system, planned for 2027, is capable of transforming industries such as chemical engineering, drug development, fraud detection, and advanced manufacturing.

Dr.-Ing. Stefan Hengesbach

CEO

Results

These are the building blocks for Europe’s industrial quantum infrastructure, not someday, but on a defined ship date. Bold, compounding performance:

€14M flagship contract with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to deliver 8- and 64-qubit photonic universal quantum computers. The first commercial sale of a universal photonic system worldwide.
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€15M Series A co-led by Invest-NL and EIC Fund, with FORWARD.one as continuing investor, funding delivery of the first-generation universal photonic quantum computer by 2026.
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From processors to full systems: revenue from photonic processors evolved into sales of full quantum computers to institutional customers, including DLR.
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Pan-European footprint: HQ in the Netherlands with expansion into Germany, anchored in a 100% European supply chain for critical photonic components.