Qnami Closes CHF 2.6M Seed Financing Round

Qnami announced today the closing of a CHF 2.6M (USD 2.6M) seed round led by Venture Capital fund Quantonation and further supported by investiere, ZKB Start-up Finance and the High-Tech Gründerfonds. The funds will support the market entry of Qnami’s first product, a quantum microscope for inspection of magnetic materials at the nanoscale, and further developments of quantum sensing applications.

Qnami is a Swiss start-up founded in November 2017. It has developed an innovative platform for the analysis of magnetic materials at the nanoscale, based on a proprietary quantum technology. Mathieu Munsch, co-founder and CEO of Qnami says

“in modern electronics, the magnetic properties of materials play a crucial role. Yet, they are not always well understood and even less well-controlled, in particular at sub-micron scale. Our technology allows scientists and engineers to explore new ideas, to directly visualize the effect of any small change in their design or fabrication process. Our first product will help them finely focus their efforts, so that they can create, design and deliver the electronics of the future”.

Qnami’s quantum microscope addresses a specialized market with excellent growth prospects.  But as Munsch says, the vision of Qnami goes beyond this horizon.

“With the Quantum Foundry we want to bring our technology, and the know-how we are developing, to other areas where classical solutions have reached their limits”.

Qnami’s first equity round was led by Quantonation, a leading VC fund specialized in Deep Tech with a strong focus on emerging quantum technologies. Olivier Tonneau, General Partner, Quantonation, and new member of the board of Qnami, says

“Quantum technologies leverage the non-intuitive properties of quantum mechanics to develop disruptive applications in fields such as quantum computing, sensing, and communications. They are also called “the second quantum revolution.” The most mature technologies in this field use the extraordinary sensitivity of quantum devices to measure properties with previously unattainable precision, addressing applications in areas as diverse as microscopy, MRI or navigation. Qnami is led by a very strong team, with a unique technological edge, and with a clear vision on how to become the go-to company manufacturing quantum sensors.”

The round was further supported by the Swiss VC investiere, the German deep-tech focused High-Tech Gründerfonds, the ZKB Start-up Finance fund, as well as private Business Angels providing key industry expertise.

About Qnami
Qnami was founded in November 2017 with the vision to leverage quantum technologies to create a new standard for high precision sensors and support the development of new diagnostic solutions across different markets, from science, to semiconductors, to healthcare. Building on strong support from the University of Basel, the Swiss Nanoscience institute, the QSIT NCCR, and a number of national and European institutions Qnami has grown to a team of 8 people combining technical expertise in quantum technologies, microfabrication, engineering and software. Over the past year, Qnami won several prestigious competitions including Venture Kick, the IMD start-up challenge, and obtained funding from the selective Volkswirtschaftstiftung. In September 2019, Qnami entered the TOP100 ranking identifying the best Swiss start-ups and ranked #64.

About Quantonation
Quantonation is the first early stage VC fund dedicated to Quantum Technologies and Deep Physics. Fields such as molecular design, high performance computation, cybersecurity, or ultra-precise sensing are now driven by innovation based on these disruptive technologies. Thanks to its scientific expertise Quantonation aims at supporting the transition of these technologies into commercially available products for the industry. Quantonation’s headquarters are in Paris, France with investments all over the world. Quantonation’s portfolio includes investments in Quantum Computing (software and hardware), Quantum Security and optical processing.

About High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven startups. With EUR 895.5 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge more than 560 startups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech startups in a range of sectors, including software, media, internet, hardware, automation, health care, chemistry and life sciences.

To date, external investors have injected over EUR 2 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,400 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 100 companies. Investors in this public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry For Economic Affairs and Energy, the KfW Capital and 33 industrial companies.

Contact:
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Schlegelstraße 2
53113 Bonn
Yann Fiebig
T.: +49 228 82300 144
y.fiebig@htgf.de
www.htgf.de