Photonic Inc. today announced a significant reshaping of its Board of Directors, appointing Alex van Someren as Executive Chair and adding four new independent directors following a recent $180 million CAD investment. The move signals a push for accelerated growth for the Vancouver-based leader in distributed quantum computing and communications technologies. Van Someren, a British computing entrepreneur and former Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security, returns to the Photonic Board after an initial investment in 2021. “I am delighted to expand my commitment to Photonic, Inc.,” Van Someren stated, emphasizing the company’s potential to “deliver fully scalable quantum computing.” According to CEO Dr. Paul Terry, “These appointments add significant depth across technology, investment, sustainability, and global business leadership,” as Photonic aims to deliver value through scalable, distributed quantum technologies.
$180 Million CAD Investment Fuels Photonic’s Expansion
A recent $180 million CAD ($130 million USD) injection of capital is reshaping the leadership structure at Photonic Inc., a Vancouver-based firm pioneering distributed quantum computing and communications. The substantial investment has facilitated the appointment of Alex van Someren as Executive Chair, alongside four new directors: Alex van Someren, Don Mattrick, Nathan Medlock, and Ashton Scordo, joining existing board members Dr. Hermann Hauser, Lorrie Norrington, founder Dr. Stephanie Simmons and CEO Dr. Paul Terry. This infusion of funds is clearly intended to accelerate development at the company, both technically and strategically.
Nathan Medlock of Planet First Partners, the lead investor, and Ashton Scordo from British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), which held $295 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, bring significant financial and operational expertise. He believes Photonic’s unique approach—combining silicon spin qubits with photonic interconnects—positions it as a frontrunner in scalable quantum technology.
New Board Appointments: Expertise in Tech and Finance
The appointments reflect a strategic move to bolster expertise in both technological development and financial oversight as the company scales its operations across North America and the United Kingdom. Alex van Someren, a veteran computing entrepreneur, returns to the board as Executive Chair, having previously invested in Photonic in 2021. Don Mattrick, formerly of Zynga, Microsoft, and Electronic Arts, will serve as Vice Chair, bringing extensive executive leadership experience. Joining them are Nathan Medlock and Ashton Scordo, further strengthening the Board’s capabilities.
Entanglement First™ Architecture & Silicon Spin Qubit Technology
Photonic Inc. is actively refining its Entanglement First™ architecture, a design philosophy central to its approach to scalable quantum computing. This architecture isn’t simply about building more qubits, but about maximizing the connections between them, a critical factor for complex calculations and robust error correction. The company’s unique approach centers on optically linked silicon spin qubits, manufactured using standard silicon wafer fabrication techniques—a departure from more exotic qubit materials. This method promises a pathway to mass production and integration with existing computing infrastructure. Joining Photonic Founder Dr. Stephanie Simmons, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paul Terry, Dr.
Hermann Hauser, and Lorrie Norrington on the Board are Alex van Someren, Don Mattrick, Nathan Medlock and Ashton Scordo. This combination aims to overcome limitations in qubit coherence and connectivity that plague other quantum systems. Photonic’s technology leverages these silicon spin qubits to enable powerful computation and efficient error correction. The company currently operates with a team exceeding 150 experts, distributed across locations in Vancouver, the United States, and the United Kingdom, all focused on advancing these quantum technologies.
The unique fundamental proposition of combining spin qubits manufactured using standard silicon wafer fabrication techniques with easily switchable telecoms wavelength photonic interconnects suggests that Photonic, Inc. will be the category winner in delivering fully scalable quantum computing.
Alex van Someren, Executive Chair
