Quantum computers promise to solve problems that would take classical machines millennia, but their power is locked behind a cold secret: the need for temperatures a fraction of a degree above absolute zero. In recent months, a Munich‑based start‑up called kiutra has secured a €13 million equity injection that could change how that secret is kept. The company has raised more than €30 million in total, and its magnetic‑cooling technology eliminates the reliance on helium‑3, a scarce and geopolitically sensitive isotope that has long underpinned cryogenic infrastructure for quantum devices. With new capital, kiutra is poised to transform the supply chain that underwrites the next generation of digital hardware.
Magnetic Cooling: A Solid‑State Revolution
Traditional quantum processors use liquid helium to reach the ultra‑low temperatures required for qubit coherence. Helium‑3, the isotope that allows cooling below 1 K, is both rare and costly, and its supply is largely controlled by a handful of countries. kiutra’s approach replaces the cryogenic bath with a solid‑state cycle that magnetises and demagnetises paramagnetic salts in a controlled sequence. As the material is magnetised, its magnetic moments align, raising its temperature. When the field is removed, the moments randomise, and the material absorbs heat from its surroundings, cooling to millikelvin levels without any liquid. The process is analogous to the way a refrigerator compresses and expands gas, but it operates entirely in the solid phase, eliminating moving parts and the need for cryogenic fluids.
This technique delivers several practical advantages. First, it scales more cleanly: a single magnetic‑cooling module can be coupled to multiple qubit chips, reducing the footprint of the cryogenic stack. Second, the system is inherently safer; there is no risk of helium leaks or pressure build‑ups, and the solid‑state components are less prone to mechanical failure. Third, the energy consumption is lower; kiutra’s latest prototypes achieve the same temperature range as conventional dilution refrigerators while drawing a fraction of the power. In laboratory tests, the company has demonstrated cooling rates that are the fastest in the industry, enabling rapid thermal cycling and higher experimental throughput.
Investors and European Quantum Sovereignty
The €13 million round was co‑led by NovaCapital and 55 North, with significant participation from High‑Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and existing backers. Each investor brings a distinct perspective. NovaCapital, an Italian holding with a focus on deep tech, views kiutra as a platform that could underpin future industrial applications beyond quantum computing, such as cryogenic sensors and superconducting devices. 55 North, the world’s largest pure‑play quantum fund, highlights the strategic importance of reliable cooling for the entire quantum stack, from hardware to software. HTGF, a German accelerator that has funded nearly 800 startups, underscores the role of cryogen‑free solutions in securing European technological sovereignty.
These investments come at a time when European policy makers are actively seeking to reduce dependence on imported helium‑3. NATO’s Transatlantic Quantum Community and Quantum Delta NL have identified helium supply as a critical risk, and the European Union is funding research into alternative cryogenic methods. kiutra’s funding round therefore signals a broader shift: the European quantum ecosystem is moving from a laboratory‑centric model toward a supply‑chain‑centric one, where infrastructure providers like kiutra can become as essential as chip designers.
From Prototype to Production: Scaling the Quantum Ecosystem
kiutra is already deploying its systems in research laboratories across the globe, supporting universities, start‑ups, and large corporations. The company’s modular platforms are now being customised for complex quantum chips and full‑stack quantum computers. By offering a turnkey solution that can be integrated into existing cryogenic racks, kiutra lowers the barrier to entry for new players in the quantum market. For example, a mid‑size quantum start‑up in the United States can now acquire a kiutra module that fits into its existing infrastructure, eliminating the need to build a bespoke dilution refrigerator from scratch.
The company’s roadmap includes a next‑generation platform that will combine magnetic cooling with closed‑loop control systems, enabling autonomous temperature regulation for large‑scale quantum processors. This level of automation is crucial for industrial deployment, where uptime and reliability directly impact cost and performance. In addition, kiutra is exploring partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers to embed magnetic‑cooling modules into cryogenic packaging, potentially shrinking the overall size of quantum systems.
The €13 million capital will fund these efforts, as well as the expansion of kiutra’s global sales and support network. By scaling production, kiutra aims to bring down the cost of cryogenic infrastructure, making quantum technology more accessible to a broader range of industries,from pharmaceuticals to finance to materials science.
A Cold Future that Is Warmly Sustainable
The successful closing of this funding round marks a pivotal moment for kiutra and for the quantum industry at large. By removing helium‑3 from the equation, kiutra not only addresses a supply‑chain bottleneck but also paves the way for a more sustainable, resilient, and sovereign quantum ecosystem. The company’s magnetic‑cooling technology demonstrates that breakthrough engineering can solve problems that once seemed tied to scarce natural resources. As quantum processors move from experimental benches to commercial products, the need for reliable, scalable, and environmentally friendly cooling will become as critical as the qubits themselves. kiutra’s journey from R&D start‑up to industrial scale‑up illustrates how deep tech can translate scientific insight into practical infrastructure, ensuring that the quantum leap is not just theoretical but also operational.
