Danish Startup Sparrow Quantum Secures €21.5M to Commercialize Photonic Quantum Chips
Copenhagen-based startup Sparrow Quantum has raised €21.5 million in a Series A funding round to accelerate the commercialization of its cutting-edge photonic quantum chips. The round was led by PensionDanmark, with significant contributions from EIFO (Export and Investment Fund of Denmark) and Novo Holdings. This investment marks a pivotal moment for Europe’s growing quantum technology ecosystem.
Founded as a spin-out from the Niels Bohr Institute, Sparrow Quantum is a leader in the development of deterministic single-photon sources—key components for building scalable quantum computers. The company’s flagship product, the Sparrow Core chip, delivers single photons on demand with high precision, reliability, and efficiency, making it a critical building block for next-generation photonic quantum systems.
The new funding will allow Sparrow Quantum to ramp up chip production, accelerate R&D into next-generation quantum hardware—including entangled photon sources—and expand its team of quantum photonics experts. This Series A follows a €4.1 million seed round in 2023 and positions the company for significant growth as demand for quantum technologies rises globally.
“With this investment, we can truly intensify our efforts to bring quantum technology from the lab to the market,” said Professor Peter Lodahl, Sparrow Quantum’s founder and Chief Quantum Officer. Lodahl, a renowned physicist in quantum photonics, has played a key role in transforming fundamental research into practical technologies. His work on deterministic photon generation laid the groundwork for the Sparrow Core chip, now considered a benchmark in the field.
Quantum Tech: A Strategic Investment
For PensionDanmark, the investment is both a strategic and financial decision. “It is an obvious investment for PensionDanmark,” said CEO Peter Stensgaard Mørch. “We see this not only as a way to support Danish industry and contribute to the national economy, but also as a sound investment for our members’ pension savings.”
Sparrow Quantum has already begun collaborating with full-stack quantum computing companies and system developers across Europe. Its deterministic photon sources offer a significant advantage over traditional probabilistic methods, enabling more scalable and efficient quantum systems. These improvements could have far-reaching impacts in fields such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and cybersecurity.
CEO Kurt Stokbro emphasized the broader implications of the funding: “This investment is a testament to Denmark and Europe’s ability to lead in quantum technology. We are ready to unveil quantum breakthroughs that serve both society and the global economy.”
Supporting European Technological Sovereignty
The backing from both public and private investors aligns with the European Union’s strategic goals, including the European Chips Act, which aims to strengthen Europe’s position in key digital technologies. By focusing on local research, development, and production, Sparrow Quantum is contributing to a resilient and self-sufficient European quantum supply chain.
EIFO CEO Peder Lundquist highlighted the strategic importance of the investment: “We are enhancing not only Sparrow Quantum’s leadership but also Denmark’s and Europe’s role in the quantum future. This is the kind of high-impact technology Europe must support to remain competitive in global innovation.”
With its latest funding, Sparrow Quantum is poised to play a central role in shaping the future of quantum computing—both in Europe and around the world.
