From Lab to Market: Pixel Photonics Secures €13.5 Million in Funding The Münster-based deep-tech company combines a €5 million seed round with a highly competitive €8.5 million EIC Accelerator grant. The funding strengthens Europe’s position in the global race for quantum technologies. Münster, March 13, 2026 – As the United States and China continue to invest heavily in quantum technologies, a young company from Westphalia is sending a strong signal for Europe’s innovation landscape: Pixel Photonics, a pioneer in superconducting single-photon detectors, has announced total funding of €13.5 million. The amount consists of a first closing of a €5 million seed round and €8.5 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator – including €2.5 million in grants and €6 million in equity investment. The seed round is led by Futury Capital. Additional investors include the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND), Kensho Ventures, and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) – forming a consortium that reflects the strategic importance of this technology for Germany and Europe. In particular, the participation of SPRIND underscores the recognition of high-performance photodetection as a key component for Europe’s technological sovereignty. For CEO Nicolai Walter, the funding marks a turning point: “This financing is a major milestone for Pixel Photonics. It enables us to transform what has so far been a highly specialized quantum technology into robust, scalable industrial products. Our goal is to make the most powerful light detection as reliable and accessible as today’s semiconductor components – and to bring it into real industrial systems. We are excited to take this step together with strong partners and establish this key technology in the market.” Europe’s Opportunity: From Lab to Global Markets Superconducting detector technology has long been considered too complex and costly for industrial deployment. This is exactly where Pixel Photonics comes in: with its ARCTIC© Platform, the company offers WI-SNSPDs—waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors—transforming bulky laboratory setups into compact, scalable chip solutions. Applications range from quantum computing and quantum key distribution (QKD) to microscopy, metrology, medical diagnostics, and defense—fields in which Europe and Germany benefit from strong research infrastructure and industrial capabilities. CTO Dr. Wladick Hartmann sees a fundamental shift underway: “Pixel Photonics is transforming superconducting light detectors from complex laboratory instruments into scalable chip solutions. In doing so, we are delivering the ‘silicon transistor’ of the quantum era—enabling the transition from niche applications to mass markets and opening entirely new horizons in secure communication and imaging technologies.”   Validation Through the EIC Accelerator The European Union’s recognition of this potential is reflected in the company’s selection for the EIC Accelerator – the EU’s most competitive funding instrument for breakthrough innovation. Pixel Photonics was chosen as one of only 61 companies out of approximately 1,000 applicants. The funding will significantly accelerate market entry and firmly anchor the technology within Europe’s innovation ecosystem. Crucially, the detectors are designed for a broad range of applications that extend far beyond purely quantum use cases. “We founded Pixel Photonics to overcome a fundamental bottleneck in photon detection. With the EIC Accelerator, we can bring our platform to market faster and scale it across broader application fields,” said Nicolai Walter. At a time when quantum technologies are increasingly taking on geopolitical significance – from secure communications to high-performance sensing and next-generation cryptographic infrastructure – Pixel Photonics is positioning itself as a key player in securing Europe’s technological independence. About Pixel Photonics Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from the University of Münster, Pixel Photonics specializes in high-performance single-photon detection technology. The company’s patented WI-SNSPDs combine scalability, ultra-fast detection rates, and exceptional sensitivity – enabling breakthroughs in quantum computing, quantum key distribution, microscopy, and metrology.   Press Contact Henry Donovan henry@ampyre.co   More information: www.pixelphotonics.com

Singapore 8th April 2026 – Multipeak Global and RAQS Quantum today announced a strategic collaboration designed to bridge the gap between quantum solutions and commercial deployment. By uniting Multipeak’s deep-tech commercialisation expertise with RAQS Quantum’s scientific leadership, the collaboration aims to deploy high-impact, “quantum-ready” solutions to the Asian and European markets. The partnership aims to accelerate the deployment of next-generation technologies across industries, with a strong focus on quantum and quantum-inspired computing, as well as advanced deep-tech solutions. By integrating strategic advisory, scientific expertise, and execution capabilities, both organisations will support companies in unlocking new levels of innovation and competitiveness. Quantum technology is emerging as a key enabler for solving complex challenges in areas such as supply chain optimisation, financial modelling, material discovery, and energy efficiency. Through this collaboration, Multipeak Global and RAQS Quantum will focus on identifying practical use cases and enabling organisations to adopt quantum-ready, hybrid and quantum-inspired with clear commercial impact, initially, targeting automotive, maritime, energy, manufacturing and logistics industries. The collaboration will begin with projects and customers across Asia and Europe, with plans for further global expansion. Led by Multipeak Global’s CEO Henry Maillet with RAQS Quantum’s leadership team and domain expertise, including Raghunath Koduvayur (Co-founder and CEO), Prof. Rainer Dumke (Co-founder), and Assoc. Prof. Dario Poletti (Co-founder, and Head of Cluster (Science, Mathematics and Technology) at Singapore University of Technology and Design), the collaboration is also designed to deliver value across both multi-national companies (MNCs), as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Segment        Key Advantages MNCs             Early access to disruptive technologies and enhanced operational efficiency SMEs              Ability to leapfrog traditional barriers and compete through innovation Mr Maillet, said: “Quantum computing represents a fundamental shift in how complex business problems will be solved. Together with RAQS Quantum and its strong scientific leadership, we are focused on making these technologies practical and commercially viable.” Assoc. Prof. Poletti, said: “The advances in hardware and algorithms are rapidly bridging the distance between theory and enterprise applications. We are already in the transition phase from the era of research projects to a ‘Quantum Utility’ era. This partnership is a big step in that direction and we’re quite excited about working on several industrial use cases.” Mr Koduvayur added: “The ‘Quantum Decade’ is here, but businesses often struggle with the ‘how.’ Our collaboration with Multipeak provides the missing link: combining world-class scientific expertise with the execution power needed to solve real-world bottlenecks. We are not just talking about innovation. Together, we will design and deliver the roadmap for how industries will function in a quantum era.”   About Multipeak Global Multipeak Global is a Singapore-based innovation lab focused on deep-tech commercialisation, cross-industry partnerships, and sustainable solutions. About RAQS Quantum RAQS Quantum is a Singapore-based quantum solutions company that accelerates the commercial adoption of quantum computing through quantum algorithms, quantum-inspired approaches, and hardware solutions.   Media Contact: Multipeak Global – Innovation Lab info@multipeak.sg RAQS Quantum Raghunath@raqsquantum.com +6593530048  

Delft, The Netherlands – 23 March 2026 Q*Bird, the Dutch leader in quantum secure communication, in collaboration with the Walton Institute at South East Technological University in Waterford (SETU), has deployed Ireland’s first multi-node, entanglement-based Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD) network. The deployment forms part of the IrelandQCI project, the country’s national quantum communications initiative and a key contributor to EuroQCI, the EU-wide federated quantum communications infrastructure. Operating over Ireland’s existing fibre infrastructure, the telecom-grade network transitions quantum security from research environments into live national infrastructure. It safeguards research, education and critical systems while enabling interoperable quantum connectivity across Ireland and Europe. Importantly, it has been designed from the start with an expandable architecture in mind, so that any additional Q*Bird QKD Node can connect to the network with a single fiber link and then gain full quantum connectivity around the network. “This multi-node deployment represents a major milestone for Ireland’s national quantum infrastructure,” said Dr. Deirdre Kilbane, Director of Research at Walton Institute at SETU and Coordinator of the €10 M IrelandQCI project which is co-funded by the Irish Department of Communications, Culture and Sport. “By integrating Q*Bird’s operational MDI-QKD Falqon® Series across research institutions, data centers and national networks, we are enabling secure, interoperable quantum communication while also creating a platform for other research institutions to join. It strengthens Ireland’s sovereignty over critical communications and contributes directly to EuroQCI and Europe’s federated quantum network vision.” The hub-and-spoke architectural network comprises of four End Nodes, one Center Hub and one Quantum Optical Switch for a scalable metropolitan deployment and uses ESB Telecoms dark fibre for the quantum communication channel. The End Nodes are located in two Dublin data centres, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin, while the Center Hub is hosted at ASIERA (formerly HEAnet), Ireland’s National Education and Research Network. The collaborative expertise of Walton Institute at SETU, ASIERA and Q*Bird were responsible for the successful deployment of the highly secure connection between the strategic Dublin city locations. The Q*Bird Quantum-Optimized Optical Switch enables dynamic, secure routing of qubits around the network, ensuring full multi-node connectivity of QKD keys, without relying on trusted intermediaries. Industry-grade security for research, education and critical infrastructure At the core of the network is Q*Bird’s Falqon® Series, enabling entanglement-based quantum key distribution over operational fiber networks. Detector-side exploits have been identified by security authorities, including Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), as the most critical attack vector in earlier QKD implementations. Q*Bird’s devices completely remove the requirement to trust any measurement devices, thus establishing an architecture with a security model resilient against both present day cyber threats and future quantum-enabled attacks. This ensures long-term cryptographic protection for sensitive research data, governmental communications and critical infrastructure systems, while addressing harvest-now-decrypt-later (HNDL) risk scenarios. Interoperability by design, resilience by architecture The network’s hub-and-spoke architecture of Q*Bird devices, along with the Quantum Optical Switch, enables precise synchronisation, dynamic routing and multi-node quantum key distribution. Designed for interoperability and compatibility with existing fibre infrastructure, it provides an open foundation for future integration with emerging quantum technologies such as quantum processors, sensors and modems. “With this deployment, we continue demonstrating that secure, multi-node quantum networks are not theoretical constructs but operational systems ready for national infrastructure,” shares Dr. Joshua Slater, CTO of Q*Bird. “By combining field-proven hardware with MDI-QKD protocols, we deliver infrastructure resilient against both contemporary cyber threats and future quantum attacks. With this deployment, we are fully prepared for expansion and collaboration with additional research and educational institutions.” Towards a federated European quantum network Dr. Ingrid Romijn, CEO and Co-Founder of Q*Bird, added, “National security cannot depend on laboratory-grade assumptions. Quantum security must operate within live infrastructure, under real-world conditions. Ireland’s deployment not only reinforces Ireland’s position as a European hub for quantum secure connectivity, but also shows that scalable, sovereign and interoperable quantum networks can be implemented today over existing fibre and integrated directly into national communications infrastructure.” “As quantum computing advances, defensive architectures must evolve accordingly. By eliminating detector vulnerabilities and enabling interoperable, cross-border quantum key distribution, we are building infrastructure that protects current communication networks and the integrity of future digital infrastructure.” Q*Bird’s Falqon® Series has been purpose-built for operational, interoperable and sovereign quantum communications, supporting metropolitan, national and cross-border deployments. By securing Ireland’s research and education backbone and critical digital assets, this deployment positions Ireland as a key operational node within EuroQCI. Designed, engineered and field-proven, the Q*Bird quantum network demonstrates how entanglement-based MDI-QKD can form the backbone of Europe’s future quantum secure infrastructure that is scalable, vendor-interoperable and resilient against the full spectrum of present and future threats. With this milestone deployment, Q*Bird and Walton Institute at SETU, reinforce Ireland’s leadership in quantum secure communication and accelerate the transition from quantum research to quantum resilient infrastructure. The network delivers a future-ready and scalable foundation for expanding Ireland’s quantum connectivity, enabling new research, education and critical infrastructure partners to join the secure, interoperable ecosystem! About IrelandQCI: IrelandQCI (Ireland Quantum Communication Infrastructure) is a national project developing a quantum-secure communications network for Ireland. The €10 million initiative led by Walton Institute at SETU on behalf of CONNECT Research Ireland Centre, is funded under the EU DIGITAL Europe Programme, co-funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. It forms part of the wider EuroQCI initiative to build a secure quantum communications infrastructure across Europe. IrelandQCI is made up of a consortium of academic and industry partners, including six national universities, and industry partners ESB Telecoms and Asiera. IrelandQCI is developing a quantum key distribution (QKD) infrastructure along a major backbone network connecting Dublin to Cork via Waterford. This will integrate cutting-edge quantum technologies with existing classical fibre systems to future-proof Ireland’s communications networks against cyber threats. Find out more http://www.irelandqci.ie/ About Q*Bird: Q*Bird is a leader in quantum secure communication, based in Delft, The Netherlands. We provide cutting-edge solutions and expert support to ensure your data security. Our unique technology enables ultra-secure communication networks for critical infrastructure and commercial use. Q*Bird’s network technology uses the laws of quantum physics to provide proven secure cryptography keys that are immune to interception, ensuring your data remains safe from eavesdropping. Our Falqon® Series delivers a next-generation solution for Measurement Device Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD), offering unequalled security, scalability and flexibility without relying on trusted nodes, ensuring your data stays protected in transit, now and into the quantum future. As we secure today’s networks against quantum threats, we are building toward the future, developing technologies that will enable the quantum internet, including connectivity solutions for quantum processors, modems and sensors. This ensures organisations are prepared for the advent of the quantum internet and ready to harness its full potential. Join us at the forefront of quantum innovation and learn how the Falqon® Series can protect your organisation from data breaches and future-proof your network security against quantum threats! For more information, visit www.q-bird.com, contact info@q-bird.com, or follow Q*Bird on LinkedIn. Media Relations Contact: Name: Milu Sini Lal, Msc E-Mail: milu@q-bird.com Title: Marketing & Communication Specialist