Insider Brief
- The European Investment Fund (EIF) is investing €30 million in Quantonation II to strengthen early-stage financing for quantum and deep physics startups, aiming to boost Europe’s role in the global quantum race.
- Quantonation II plans to build a €200 million fund targeting around 25 high-potential companies and five venture studios focused on quantum computing, sensing, and other deep-tech applications.
- The investment aligns with the EIF’s InvestEU strategy to close funding gaps in underserved sectors and promote European technological sovereignty in foundational science and emerging technologies.
PRESS RELEASE — Despite remarkable advancements in scientific research, the deep-tech financing realm, particularly in quantum technologies, remains underdeveloped. The quantum computing sector is still in its infancy, with no established standards and an ongoing competition to define a global centre of excellence that could be based in Europe.
To support the growth of the sector, the European Investment Fund (EIF) announces today an investment of €30 million in Quantonation II, a pioneering French early-stage venture capital fund. This funding aims at accelerating the growth of companies operating in the fields of quantum technology and deep physics, addressing a critical gap in the early-stage financing landscape. The fund aims to build a diversified portfolio of around 25 high-potential companies and 5 ventures studios worldwide.
Deep physics encompasses fundamental scientific research into the fundamental properties of matter and energy, exploring fields like quantum mechanics and particle physics. Building on these foundations, quantum technology apply these principles to real-world cases such as quantum sensors and computing. Quantum computers can solve highly complex calculations beyond the reach of classical computers, while quantum sensors enable extremely precise measurements in areas like navigation, healthcare, and materials science.
“Investing in Quantonation II allows us to support European companies at the forefront of quantum technology,” said Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the EIF. “By backing this fund, we are reinforcing our commitment to strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty and nurturing high-potential sectors that require specialized expertise.”
Olivier Tonneau, Partner at Quantonation, added: “We are proud to partner with the EIF in this new chapter for quantum innovation in Europe. Their €30 million investment into Quantonation II is a strong signal of trust and support for our mission to turn European scientific excellence into globally leading companies.”
The investment is part of the EIF’s strategy under the InvestEU framework, focusing on mitigating the equity gap faced by innovative companies in underserved sectors during their early stages. Quantonation II aims for a total fund size of €200 million, leveraging its unique position as the only player with a dedicated team of quantum experts who can provide invaluable support to portfolio companies.
