UK start-up secures £1.4m to develop secure quantum communications
Summary
AegiQ will join a global pilot project to provide scalable, high-performing semiconductor technology for next generation telecoms. Led by CEO and co-founder Dr. Max Sich, AegiQ is a spin-out of the University of Sheffield and part of the to secure the UK’s position as a world-leader in quantum technology. expects "Quantum technologies to lead to major advances in [...] the finance, defence, aerospace, energy, infrastructure and telecommunications sectors.” AegiQ is the leading company developing III-V semiconductor-based quantum photonics (manufacturing chips using elements such as Gallium, Indium and Arsenic rather than traditional Silicon), which is accepted as a far superior method in terms of reliability and security, and leverages existing industrial processing techniques. “Existing software-based encryption of telecom networks is vulnerable to quantum attack,” commented Scott Dufferwiel, AegiQ’s CTO. Deploying our scalable technology with mass production capabilities into initiatives like this project will position the UK as a world-leader in manufacturing quantum communications.” AegiQ is currently raising its seed round of investment.