The deep-tech startup Rotonium gets €1 million to take quantum computers into space
1. The seed investment will allow Rotonium to create a first experimental photonic quantum computing circuit.
2. The investment round was underwritten by Galaxia, the National Technology Transfer Hub for Aerospace.
Padua, July 31 2024 – Rotonium, an Italian deep-tech startup, has raised €1 million in seed investment to advance its industrial research in the field of quantum computers, taking a further step towards the creation of a quantum photon processor. The round was fully underwritten by Galaxia, the National Technology Transfer Hub for Aerospace, created by CDP Venture Capital’s Tech Transfer Fund together with Obloo Ventures.
Founded in 2022 in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Rotonium is incubated in Le Village by CA Triveneto in Padua.
Edge Quantum Computing for Quantum Computing Decentralization
Rotonium aims to decentralize quantum computing through a new and innovative single-photon qudit, which allows all components of the quantum computer to operate at room temperature. This advancement enables miniaturization and allows the quantum computer to function under various conditions: on the ground, in the sky, and in space. The seed investment will enable Rotonium to accelerate the development of its silicon photonics components, building on the successful creation of a first silicon photonics chip that tested the essential building blocks for a quantum processor. These components will be used to verify the performance of this new architecture, paving the way for the design of a commercial quantum processor. With this investment, the startup will be able to speed up integration testing of all the main quantum components and expand its team, with the goal of becoming the leader in Edge Quantum Computing.
“After two years during which we have laid the foundations of a new photonic quantum computing architecture, this investment round will make it possible for us to accelerate the development of a silicon photonics chip proving the potential of our innovative technology” says Roberto Siagri, CEO and co-founder of Rotonium together with Fabrizio Tamburini, Chief Quantum Officer. “Thanks to Galaxia’s support, we will accelerate the technology validations and, consequently, the time to market of the quantum processors on the roadmap. At the same time, we will be able to assemble a team of young talents and to implement collaborations with universities and research centers in order to leverage the Italian research, which is of the highest level in this field.”
Claudia Pingue, Head of CDP Venture Capital’s Tech Transfer Fund, declared: “The Rotonium team, with its long and rich experience in industrial research and in the development of innovative companies, impressed us with the right combination of scientific and entrepreneurial skills, paired up with an innovative vision of quantum computers and their potential market. The original solution proposed by the Company enables the use of unprecedented computing capabilities at the edge, directly in orbit, taking advantage of the possibility of using photons in a more robust configuration compared to competing technologies, without the need for complex and voluminous installations and with energy requirements that are compatible with those available in orbit. We are entering the era of Quantum Utility: this is a favorable moment for a change of pace and perspective in the design and widespread use of quantum computers.”
About Rotonium
Founded in 2022, Rotonium is an Italian startup that aims to decentralize the use of quantum computers and to expand their market by proposing a photonic qubit solution. The technology developed by Rotonium makes it possible to enable quantum computing at room temperature and with high miniaturization potential, so as to allow the use of quantum computers in any operational environment, in fixed or mobile installations, both on the ground and in space. Since 2022, the Rotonium startup has been based in Le Village Triveneto in Padua. Le Village is an open and dynamic ecosystem which supports startup growth and fosters innovation in companies.
For more information, please refer to the https://www.rotonium.com website.
About Galaxia
Galaxia is the National Technology Transfer Hub for aerospace, created by CDP Venture Capital’s Tech Transfer Fund together with Obloo Ventures. Its mission is to boost the development of startups conceived within research laboratories specialized in the aerospace sector. Galaxia’s scientific promoters are Turin’s Polytechnic and Rome’s ‘La Sapienza’ University, together with other important Italian academic institutions, including Padua’s University and Bari’s Polytechnic. Obloo Ventures is the Hub’s business partner and co-investor, and manages scouting, investments and portfolio monitoring. Obloo Ventures, together with Lazio Innova and the I3P Incubator of Turin’s Polytechnic, also coordinates a business creation program focused on all startups born within research and selected by the Hub itself for seed investments.
Press contacts:
Elisabetta Silvestrin – Obloo Ventures
