Universal Quantum Raises Over $100M Series A to Scale Quantum Computing Globally
Universal Quantum, the company building large-scale quantum computing systems for real-world use, led by Sebastian Weidt and Winfried Hensinger, has announced it has secured over $100 million in Series A funding - marking the largest Series A ever raised by a quantum firm headquartered in the UK. The round was co-led by DCVC and Firgun Ventures, with participation from EDBI, Artal (advised by Invus), Integral GlobalTech, Main Sequence, Hostplus, NGS Super, IAG Capital, EdenBase, Eigenstate Holdings, SiteGround Capital and Dave Baszucki (founder and CEO of Roblox), as well as other existing and new strategic investors including Nauta Capital and The Venture Collective.
“Universal Quantum’s progress reflects our partners’ belief that we represent one of the most credible paths to quantum computing at scale,” said Dr Sebastian Weidt, CEO and co-founder of Universal Quantum. “This round unites an extraordinary group of investors from the world’s most important pools of capital around a single mission: delivering utility-scale quantum computing.”
The funding will accelerate Universal Quantum’s modular quantum computing technology, supporting the development of chiplet arrays and control systems for scalable, error-corrected quantum computers. It will also support expansion across Singapore, the United States, Japan, and the company’s Hamburg hub in Germany.
Solving the Problem of Scale.
Universal Quantum is developing modular quantum computers by connecting multiple advanced chips to achieve the scale required for fault-tolerant computing. Its trapped-ion technology uses electrically confined charged atoms as qubits, with a design focused on scalable, manufacturable chip interconnects. The quantum technology market could reach $60–100 billion annually by 2035, potentially unlocking $2.7 trillion in economic value across industries such as pharmaceuticals, finance, and automotive.
A Global Investment Story.
Founded by University of Sussex professors Sebastian Weidt and Winfried Hensinger, Universal Quantum has grown from an academic vision into a global engineering operation spanning three continents, with more than 100 technical employees. Its Series A brings together investors across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia, including DCVC, Firgun Ventures, EDBI, Invus, Integral GlobalTech, Main Sequence, Hostplus, NGS Super, and Nauta Capital, combining deep-tech expertise, sovereign investment, and long-term institutional capital.
“Universal Quantum brings together world-class scientific leadership with an exceptionally clear approach to quantum computing,” said Zeynep Korutürk, Founding & Managing Partner of Firgun Ventures. “Having laid some of the earliest foundations for large-scale trapped-ion architectures, Sebastian and Winfried are true pioneers in the field. With Europe under pressure to prove it can compete on frontier technologies, we are proud to invest in a European company that has grown into a global player, one that is well positioned to help define the future of industrial-scale quantum computing.”
Universal Quantum’s funding reflects growing institutional investment in quantum computing. The company has expanded from its UK roots into a global operation, is delivering on a $77 million contract with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and is establishing its first R&D centre outside Europe in Singapore, with further international collaborations expected.
"True quantum utility will be unlocked by companies that are relentlessly focused on the scalability of their machines," said James Hardiman, General Partner at DCVC. "Universal Quantum's modular architecture addresses the hardest challenges in scaling ion trap systems. Quantum is a global race, and we are pleased to back a team with genuine standing across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America."
“What sets Universal Quantum apart is its ability to win major contracts at this stage of development,” said Bill Bartee, Managing Partner at Main Sequence. “In a sector where hype and hyperbole are running far ahead of commercial reality, Universal Quantum has built a paying customer base that includes some of the world’s most demanding scientific and government institutions, and has done so before most competitors have shipped any working hardware.”
“We believe quantum computing will be one of the defining technologies of the coming decades, and that the companies which reach utility-scale will be those that combine deep technical capability with commercial discipline,” said Evren Bilimer, Managing Director at Invus. “Universal Quantum stands out for the rigour of its engineering roadmap and for having funded that roadmap through real customer contracts. We are pleased to deepen our commitment to the quantum ecosystem by backing this team.”
