Terra Quantum attracts new investor

10.02.2023 11:00, Morgane Ghilardi

The quantum technology leader announced that it added Investcorp, which specializes in alternative investments, to its shareholder base, signaling its private-equity readiness. Terra Quantum was ranked among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups of 2022.

Terra Quantum, which is based in St. Gallen, is a global leader in quantum technology focused on providing an end-to-end technology platform that delivers real quantum advantage to its customers. Quantum technology has become the most important global technology race where governments, corporations, and participants of the financial ecosystem.

The investment from and partnership with Investcorp is directed towards enhancing Terra Quantum's already leading quantum security offering, especially in the areas of digital assets and blockchain technologies. The financial details remain undisclosed at this time.

The startup's leadership includes Prof. Dr. Valerii Vinokur (CTS US), one of the most highly decorated quantum scientists in the world, who is based in Chicago and oversees the project portfolio with a particular focus on hardware components, as well as Prof. Dr. Florian Neukart (CPO), who has extensive experience as a business executive and serves as an expert on the various high-profile, international boards and councils for quantum computing and AI.

Last year, Terra Quantum secured USD 75 million in equity funding in a Series A financing round. Terra Quantum's expertise in quantum security and quantum cryptography is the basis of an end-to-end solution enabling customers to utilize existing trust-less fiber infrastructure for efficient and secure high-bandwidth Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over long distances, which is a significant component in the development of quantum-resistant blockchain and crypto algorithms.

"This is an important step for Terra Quantum, as we not only demonstrate 'Private Equity'-readiness, but also signal that same readiness to the broader quantum technology market," said Terra Quantum CEO and founder Markus Pflitsch about the investment. "Many companies are currently struggling to find investors, but we are dedicated to drive the quantum ecosystem."


Terra Quantum CEO Markus Pflitsch

Terra Quantum's hybrid approach towards quantum computing, which couples classical computing with the evolving quantum technology space, provides customers with a serious advantage in their processes and business performance enhancements. The proprietary technology provides meaningful solutions to a variety of multi-billion-dollar industries, including aerospace, financial services, automotive, chemicals, utilities, and healthcare.

As a leading global alternative investment firm, Investcorp, focuses on investing in growing, high-tech companies, signaling on the one hand the critical nature of this technology and on the other hand, Terra Quantum’s expertise as the company accelerates the commercialization of its products. Adding Investcorp to the existing investor base, which includes Europe’s leading venture capital firm Lakestar and two of the largest and globally renowned German family offices, Terra Quantum has the backing of a truly entrepreneurial investor base with deep roots across pharmaceuticals, logistics, payment, blockchain, and the wider cyber security spaces.

“Terra Quantum is highly relevant to many of our current and future high-growth portfolio companies, and we have seen full alignment on our core values: having integrity and being performance-driven, collaborative, entrepreneurial and global,” commented Gilbert Kamieniecky, Head of Global Tech at Investcorp.

In 2022, the expert jury of investors and industry experts names Terra Quantum one of the TOP 100 Swiss Sartups.