BioInnovation Institute (BII) has announced the first six companies to join its Deep Tech Lab – Quantum accelerator programme, part of Denmark’s contribution to NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). The companies, Astrolight, Aquark Technologies, g2-Zero, QUBITRIUM, Phantom Photonics, and SECQAI, will receive funding, mentorship, and access to state-of-the-art testing facilities. The initiative is expected to fund early-stage start-ups with up to 1 billion euros over 15 years. Jens Nielsen, CEO of BII, and Cathal J. Mahon, Chief Business Officer at Deep Tech Lab-Quantum, expressed excitement about the potential of these start-ups to drive innovation in quantum science.
Quantum Science Start-ups Join Danish Accelerator Program
The BioInnovation Institute (BII), a non-profit foundation that incubates and accelerates life science research, has announced the first group of companies to join a new accelerator start-up program at Deep Tech Lab – Quantum. This program aims to advance quantum science solutions that are both emerging and disruptive.
Six companies have been chosen to join the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), a program run by NATO. This program is the first to be run as part of Denmark’s contribution to the initiative. The initiative is closely linked to NATO’s newly launched innovation fund, which is expected to fund early-stage start-ups with up to 1 billion euros over a 15-year timeframe.
The selected start-ups will have access to a network of trusted investors, business mentorship, and education from expert staff, as well as state-of-the-art testing opportunities in BII’s office space and laboratories.
The Selected Quantum Science Start-ups
The six companies selected to join the Deep Tech Lab – Quantum accelerator are Astrolight, Aquark Technologies, g2-Zero, QUBITRIUM, Phantom Photonics, and SECQAI.
Astrolight uses high-speed lasers to connect Earth and space, providing unprecedented capabilities for satellite connectivity and deep space exploration. Aquark Technologies, a spin-out from the University of Southampton, offers portability and miniaturization solutions for quantum technology applications. g2-Zero is developing single photon sources that are purely electrical, vibration-resistant, and alignment-free.
QUBITRIUM offers solutions to problems in quantum cryptography, communication, and quantum sensing. Phantom Photonics is developing a quantum-enhanced 3D imaging sensor that improves the range, resolution, power consumption, and acquisition time over current devices. SECQAI is creating Quantum & Classical Hardware and Algorithms to defend and protect against threats.
BII’s Role in the Accelerator Program
Earlier this year, the Danish government appointed BII to operate the accelerator. BII will leverage its current program model to commercialize new dual-use technologies that can address societal problems and national security issues, such as new radar technologies or communication technologies based on quantum science.
Jens Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of BioInnovation Institute and Deep Tech Lab – Quantum, expressed his honour in driving the accelerator alongside prominent forces in the science ecosystem. He highlighted the potential of the selected start-ups to drive innovative solutions to some of the major challenges of today.
Collaboration and Future Opportunities
BII will operate the new accelerator in close collaboration with academia and industry organizations to seek out novel, cutting-edge technological solutions. It will take advantage of Denmark’s strong innovation ecosystem within quantum science, such as the newly launched NATO Center for Quantum Technology at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, to develop commercially viable start-up companies within deep tech and quantum science.
Cathal J. Mahon, Chief Business Officer at Deep Tech Lab-Quantum, expressed his anticipation for working with the first cohort of quantum technology-based start-ups selected by DIANA. He noted several opportunities for direct collaborations between the start-ups and the Danish quantum research community. The solutions presented by these companies hold the potential to benefit society in multiple ways, particularly in the need for better and more secure communications systems.
About the Involved Organizations
The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) provides deep tech and dual-use innovators with access to NATO resources including grant funding, accelerator programming, and pathways to adapt their solutions for defence and security needs.
Deep Tech Lab – Quantum supports start-ups in quantum technologies to drive innovation, cultivate the ecosystem, and strengthen Denmark’s leadership in the field. The program focuses on business acceleration, scientific advancement, and team development.
BioInnovation Institute (BII) accelerates world-class life science start-up innovation for the benefit of people and society. As a non-profit institute, BII operates the company creation programs, Bio Studio, Venture Lab and Venture House, to support life science start-ups with knowledge, network, infrastructure and funding.
“Jens Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of BioInnovation Institute and Deep Tech Lab – Quantum, said: “We are honored to be driving the Deep Tech Lab – Quantum accelerator alongside such prominent forces in the science ecosystem. This initial cohort of start-ups have been selected to join the newly launched DIANA program, as they demonstrate huge potential to drive much needed innovative solutions to some of the major challenges of today.”
“Cathal J. Mahon, Chief Business Officer at Deep Tech Lab-Quantum added: “We are looking forward to working with the first cohort of quantum technology-based start-ups selected by DIANA. We have already identified several opportunities for direct collaborations between the start-ups and the Danish quantum research community. The solutions presented by these companies hold the potential to benefit our society in multiple ways; for example, in our need for better and more secure communications systems, which is of prime importance for both civilian and for security applications.”
Summary
Six start-ups have been selected to join the Deep Tech Lab – Quantum accelerator, a Danish initiative linked to NATO’s new innovation fund, aimed at advancing quantum science solutions. The selected companies, which include Astrolight and Aquark Technologies, will focus on areas such as satellite connectivity, quantum technology applications, and quantum-enhanced 3D imaging sensors.”
- The BioInnovation Institute (BII) in Denmark has announced the first group of companies to join its new accelerator start-up programme at Deep Tech Lab – Quantum.
- The programme is part of Denmark’s contribution to NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), which aims to fund early-stage start-ups with up to 1 billion euros over 15 years.
- The six companies selected are Astrolight, Aquark Technologies, g2-Zero, QUBITRIUM, Phantom Photonics, and SECQAI. They will receive access to investors, mentorship, education, and testing opportunities.
- Astrolight uses high-speed lasers for satellite connectivity and deep space exploration. Aquark Technologies provides portability and miniaturisation solutions for quantum technology applications. g2-Zero is developing single photon sources that are electrical, vibration-resistant, and alignment-free. QUBITRIUM offers solutions in quantum cryptography, communication, and quantum sensing. Phantom Photonics is developing a quantum-enhanced 3D imaging sensor. SECQAI is creating Quantum & Classical Hardware and Algorithms to defend against threats.
- Jens Nielsen, CEO of BII and Deep Tech Lab – Quantum, and Cathal J. Mahon, Chief Business Officer at Deep Tech Lab-Quantum, expressed their excitement about the potential of these start-ups to drive innovative solutions to major challenges.
- BII will operate the new accelerator in collaboration with academia and industry organisations, leveraging Denmark’s strong innovation ecosystem within quantum science.
