Ephos Seed Round, September 2024

Ephos, a company developing glass-based photonic chips, recently raised $8.5 million in seed funding to advance its work in quantum photonics. The funding round was led by Starlight Ventures, with participation from Collaborative Fund, Exor Ventures, 2100 Ventures, and others, including NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA). Ephos is pioneering a novel approach that uses glass as a substrate for quantum photonic circuits, which can significantly enhance the speed and energy efficiency of quantum computing and communication systems. The company plans to use the funds to scale production and open a research facility in Milan.

Ephos is focused on addressing some of the critical challenges facing quantum computing and photonic communication systems today. Traditional silicon-based chips face limitations when it comes to scaling, speed, and energy efficiency, particularly in quantum applications. By leveraging glass substrates, Ephos believes it can unlock new possibilities for photonic circuits, enabling faster, more efficient systems. Glass-based chips offer advantages in terms of thermal stability, scalability, and overall performance, making them a compelling alternative to traditional materials.

The funding will primarily be used to scale up production and support the establishment of a new research and manufacturing facility in Milan. This facility will be crucial in advancing the development and commercialization of Ephos's photonic chips, positioning the company as a key player in the quantum computing space. The new site will allow Ephos to further refine its technology and begin producing its photonic chips at scale, an essential step toward bringing these innovations to market.

NATO’s involvement through its Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA) is particularly notable, as it underscores the strategic importance of Ephos's technology. Photonic chips have the potential to revolutionize secure communications and defense technologies, areas of significant interest to NATO. This collaboration with NATO reflects the broader implications of Ephos's work beyond just commercial applications, extending into critical infrastructure for defense and national security.

The CEO of Ephos highlighted that the funding will accelerate the company’s efforts to create quantum photonic circuits that outperform current technology in terms of speed and energy consumption. He also emphasized the significance of the new facility in Milan, which will serve as the company's hub for innovation and large-scale production.

The seed round brings together a diverse group of investors, all of whom share an interest in advancing quantum technologies. Starlight Ventures, known for backing deep-tech startups, led the round. Collaborative Fund and Exor Ventures also participated, bringing both financial support and strategic guidance. Their collective backing reflects growing confidence in Ephos’s potential to disrupt the quantum computing and communication markets.

In conclusion, Ephos's $8.5 million seed funding round marks a significant milestone for the company as it pushes forward with the development of its glass-based photonic chips. With strong backing from key investors and support from NATO, Ephos is poised to make significant strides in the quantum technology sector. The opening of its new research and manufacturing facility in Milan will be crucial to scaling up production and advancing the company’s innovations in quantum photonics.

Ephos, a leader in glass-based photonic chip technology, has raised $8.5 million in a funding round led by Starlight Ventures. Participation also from Collaborative Fund, Exor Ventures, and others. Angel investors Joe Zadeh (former VP at Airbnb), Diego Piacentini (former SVP at Amazon), and Simone Severini (General Manager, Quantum Technologies, AWS) also contributed. The round included non-dilutive funding from the European Innovation Council and NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).

The funding is set to aid Ephos’s new research and manufacturing facility in Milan which is the the first of its kind - dedicated to producing glass-based quantum photonic circuits. Located in the Milano Innovation District (MIND), the facility is set to enable scalability for the company through both technology and partnerships.

Compared to their traditional counterparts - Ephos's glass-based photonic chips outperform silicon chips with a reduction in signal loss. The technology can also be used in conjunction with quantum computing, AI, and data centers, offering all a more energy-efficient solution. With data center power usage expected to grow by 160% by 2030, Ephos’s innovations address the growing energy demands.

CEO Andrea Rocchetto said, “Securing this funding and opening our Milan facility is a critical milestone for Ephos. Our glass-based photonic chips are set to transform not just quantum computing and AI, but the broader computational infrastructure of the future.”

Kike Miralles, Principal at Starlight Ventures, added, “As AI and quantum advancements challenge the limits of our current infrastructure, Ephos stands out with its ability to significantly reduce signal loss and improve energy efficiency."

Ephos, a company developing glass-based photonic chips, recently raised $8.5 million in seed funding to advance its work in quantum photonics. The funding round was led by Starlight Ventures, with participation from Collaborative Fund, Exor Ventures, 2100 Ventures, and others, including NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA). Ephos is pioneering a novel approach that uses glass as a substrate for quantum photonic circuits, which can significantly enhance the speed and energy efficiency of quantum computing and communication systems. The company plans to use the funds to scale production and open a research facility in Milan.

Ephos is focused on addressing some of the critical challenges facing quantum computing and photonic communication systems today. Traditional silicon-based chips face limitations when it comes to scaling, speed, and energy efficiency, particularly in quantum applications. By leveraging glass substrates, Ephos believes it can unlock new possibilities for photonic circuits, enabling faster, more efficient systems. Glass-based chips offer advantages in terms of thermal stability, scalability, and overall performance, making them a compelling alternative to traditional materials.

The funding will primarily be used to scale up production and support the establishment of a new research and manufacturing facility in Milan. This facility will be crucial in advancing the development and commercialization of Ephos's photonic chips, positioning the company as a key player in the quantum computing space. The new site will allow Ephos to further refine its technology and begin producing its photonic chips at scale, an essential step toward bringing these innovations to market.

NATO’s involvement through its Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA) is particularly notable, as it underscores the strategic importance of Ephos's technology. Photonic chips have the potential to revolutionize secure communications and defense technologies, areas of significant interest to NATO. This collaboration with NATO reflects the broader implications of Ephos's work beyond just commercial applications, extending into critical infrastructure for defense and national security.

The CEO of Ephos highlighted that the funding will accelerate the company’s efforts to create quantum photonic circuits that outperform current technology in terms of speed and energy consumption. He also emphasized the significance of the new facility in Milan, which will serve as the company's hub for innovation and large-scale production.

The seed round brings together a diverse group of investors, all of whom share an interest in advancing quantum technologies. Starlight Ventures, known for backing deep-tech startups, led the round. Collaborative Fund and Exor Ventures also participated, bringing both financial support and strategic guidance. Their collective backing reflects growing confidence in Ephos’s potential to disrupt the quantum computing and communication markets.

In conclusion, Ephos's $8.5 million seed funding round marks a significant milestone for the company as it pushes forward with the development of its glass-based photonic chips. With strong backing from key investors and support from NATO, Ephos is poised to make significant strides in the quantum technology sector. The opening of its new research and manufacturing facility in Milan will be crucial to scaling up production and advancing the company’s innovations in quantum photonics.