Insider Brief
- Quantum Light, an Oxford-affiliated startup developing next-generation quantum pigments, has closed a $1 million pre-seed round backed by Venrex, the Oxford Seed Fund, Light Ray Ventures, I2BF Global Ventures, and senior executives from Google and Meta.
- The company is commercializing color-changing nanomaterials based on quantum confinement principles, with potential applications in cosmetics, textiles, and aerospace coatings.
- The founding team includes artist-inventor Olga Alexopoulou, optical mouse inventor Jason Hartlove, and global operations expert Alex Sifniotis, positioning Quantum Light for rapid development and manufacturing scale-up.
PRESS RELEASE — Quantum Light, the Oxford University-affiliated startup pioneering the future of pigments and dyes, has closed its pre-seed round at its maximum target of $1 million, backed by a powerful lineup of top-tier venture capital firms including Venrex (early backers of Revolut, Charlotte Tilbury and Maven Clinic), the Oxford Seed Fund, Light Ray Ventures, and I2BF Global Ventures. The raise also included a cohort of angel investors, primarily senior executives from Google and Meta, reflecting deep conviction in Quantum Light’s vision and team.
Quantum Light is bringing Nobel Prize nanotechnology into the realm of materials and design. By harnessing the extraordinary power of quantum confinement, the company is developing a new class of pigments.
“Quantum Light is redefining the science of colour. We believe their quantum pigments have the potential to transform everything from cosmetics to aerospace coatings—not just by being brighter or more beautiful, but by fundamentally rethinking how color interacts with light.” – Mike Lousteau, General Partner of I2BF Global Ventures.
The founding team blends deep scientific innovation with exceptional executional track records:
- Olga Alexopoulou, CEO – Internationally acclaimed artist and inventor of Quantum Blue, the company’s flagship pigment.
- Jason Hartlove, Co-Founder – Inventor of the billion-selling optical mouse, holder of 100+ patents, and current VP & Head of XDO at Meta.
- Alex Sifniotis, COO – A global operations leader, entrepreneur and Six Sigma Black Belt who has successfully led high-performing teams of over 4,000 employees across four continents.
With this funding, Quantum Light is set to expand its research capabilities, grow its partnerships with global manufacturers, and bring its first revolutionary pigments to market.
Quantum Light has “the potential to elevate the customer experience across so many industries. We can think of no better team to build this business – they are uniquely positioned to drive this technology forward and realise their huge vision.”- Josie Buck, Principal at Venrex.
“Our team sees this as a significant leap forward for pigments, with its net-zero manufacturing unlocking broad scalability and applications—and we have strong conviction in Olga, whose deep commitment to this space is unmatched.” – Arif A. Wani, Managing Director of the Oxford Seed Fund
“We believe Quantum Light’s technology is as close as it gets to being ‘indistinguishable from magic.’ We’re betting this breakthrough will seamlessly integrate into the fabric of everyday consumer behavior, creating massive market opportunities.” – Dima Bovykin, Managing Partner of Light Ray Ventures.
