Aegiq, a startup developing quantum photonic technologies, has raised a £3.5 million ($4.8 million) seed round. Aegiq is a British project; among its founders are two Ukrainian scientists: Max Sich and Andrii Iamshanov, who moved to the UK many years ago.
AIN.UA talked to the Aegiq team and now shares the deal’s details.
- Aegiq works in the field of quantum computing. The ambition of the project is to become Cisco of quantum technologies. The startup does not build a quantum computer but develops solutions for the secure transfer of information using quantum technologies. “We use our quantum photonics platform to build ultra-secure data transmission solutions using the laws of quantum physics,” explains Max Sich, CEO of Aegiq.
- The team expects that in 10-20 years, there will be quantum computers powerful enough to break any encryption in seconds, and other methods of secure encryption and transmission of information will be needed, including the transmission of quantum key distribution (QKD). This is what Aegiq is working on.
- The startup has received funding from several investors. The round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds, with participation from Deepbridge Capital and business angels. Together with existing investments from Innovate UK, the total amount of the seed round raised by Aegiq reaches more than £3.5 million ($4.8 million).
- The startup has three co-founders: Max Sich (CEO), Andrii Iamshanov (CFO), and Scott Dufferwiel (CTO), pictured left to right:
- In October 2021, the team won a Business Startup Award from the British Institute of Physics for its development. The startup has filed a patent for its technology.