A Milan-based deep tech startup, Ephos, raised $8.5M in a seed round led by Starlight Ventures to accelerate the development of its glass-based quantum photonic chips. The company aims to transform not just quantum computing and AI but also the broader computational infrastructure of the future.
Other participants included Collaborative Fund, Exor Ventures, 2100 Ventures, and Unruly Capital. The round also attracted angel investors such as Joe Zadeh, former Vice President at Airbnb; Diego Piacentini, former Senior Vice President at Amazon; and Simone Severini, General Manager of Quantum Technologies at Amazon Web Services.
In addition to private investment, Ephos received funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and €450,000 in non-dilutive financing from NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA).
How will the funds be used?
The newly raised capital will be used to accelerate the launch of a new research and manufacturing facility in the Milano Innovation District (MIND). This facility will be a central hub for R&D, production, and collaboration to scale Ephos’s proprietary chip manufacturing technology. The funding will also support the expansion of partnerships across the quantum technologies industry and help operate and grow the company’s San Francisco team.
Speaking to TFN, Andrea Rocchetto, CEO and co-founder at Ephos, shared: “Our new facility makes Ephos one of the very few quantum hardware companies that fully control their fabrication process. Most quantum chip manufacturing companies rely on external foundries to build their devices. These fabrication facilities are optimised for traditional chip making and struggle to implement the bespoke processes required by quantum technologies. Control over the production process is a unique advantage when developing a technology as innovative and disruptive as quantum computing.”
What’s the technology behind glass-based quantum photonic chips?
Ephos’s technology stands out for its innovative chip design and manufacturing approach. Unlike traditional silicon-based chips, Ephos designs and builds chips using glass substrates. This way, Ephos increases the speed and energy efficiency of advanced quantum computing, communications, and sensing devices.
Rocchetto continued: “In secure information sharing, our technology can be used to integrate in a single chip all the components required to build a communication system with unparalleled encryption capabilities. We have several active projects in this area, and some of these are particularly exciting as they give us the chance to showcase the potential of our devices in a space environment (we successfully tested our chips for space conditions). In sensing, our devices find applications in improving the robustness and portability of otherwise bulky quantum systems, like inertial navigation systems (a technology that can be used to know your precise location when GPS is contested). “
Furthermore, Ephos’s chips address one of the major challenges when building a quantum computer: reducing signal use, as information cannot be duplicated or copied beyond a certain level of loss. How? Built on glass substrates, Ephos’s chips reduce signal loss within data centers where photonic chips are increasingly used to reduce soaring energy footprints.
Ephos’s chips are built in-house, and the company’s supply chain relies exclusively on US and EU suppliers. This approach reinforces Allied security interests by ensuring critical quantum infrastructure is developed within NATO’s emerging tech ecosystem. By doing so, Ephos helps safeguard strategic independence in quantum technologies, a vital area for future defense and communications.
Investors’ view
“Securing this funding and opening our Milan facility is a critical milestone for Ephos. Our glass-based photonic chips are set to transform not just quantum computing and AI but the broader computational infrastructure of the future,” comments Andrea Rocchetto, CEO and co-founder at Ephos. “By addressing energy inefficiencies and enhancing performance across industries, from data centers to secure communications, we’re laying the foundation for the next generation of computing technology.”
“We see tremendous potential in Ephos’s glass-based photonic chips to revolutionise the future of computing,” said Kike Miralles, Principal at Starlight Ventures. “As AI and quantum advancements challenge the limits of our current infrastructure, Ephos stands out with its ability to significantly reduce signal loss and improve energy efficiency. This innovation not only meets the growing demands for faster, more efficient platforms but also opens the door to new possibilities in quantum computing and communication technologies across multiple industries”.
What do we think about this bold move?
The Ephos announcement represents a promising development in quantum computing. The company’s innovative technology, strategic funding, and focus on security have positioned it well for future growth. However, overcoming technical challenges, navigating a competitive market, and driving market adoption will be critical for realizing the full potential of Ephos’s technology.