Orange Quantum Systems (OrangeQS), a specialist in quantum chip testing, has successfully closed its seed funding round at €15 million. The final investment came from the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Fund, a key supporter of European deep tech. Coinciding with this financial milestone, the company has also launched the OrangeQS MAX Partnership Program with industry leaders Rigetti Computing, QuantWare, and Peak Quantum.
Strategic Investment for Quantum Scaling
The second closing of the seed round extends the company's total funding to a significant €15 million, following an initial close of €12 million. This new capital injection is provided by the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Fund, which specializes in backing transformative deep tech ventures. These funds are earmarked to accelerate the development and enhancement of the OrangeQS MAX product line, a turn-key system for automated quantum chip testing.
In conjunction with the investment, Zeina Chebli, a venture and growth investor at the EIC Fund, will join the OrangeQS board of directors. Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the EIC Fund Board, stated that the investment reflects a commitment to Europe's most ambitious innovators. She emphasized that OrangeQS is addressing a critical bottleneck in the scaling of quantum technologies by advancing performance validation.
Launch of the MAX Partnership Program
To further its mission, OrangeQS has unveiled the new MAX Partnership Program, a collaborative initiative designed to accelerate quantum chip testing. The program aligns the company’s development roadmap with the needs of key quantum chip manufacturers. The first companies to join this strategic program are industry pioneers Rigetti Computing, QuantWare, and Peak Quantum.
Under the program, each partner will work independently with OrangeQS to shape specific aspects of the MAX technology and product roadmap. This unique structure allows participants to protect their proprietary intellectual property while ensuring future solutions support their distinct architectures. The program's initial focus will be on developing parallel and non-destructive testing technologies to improve efficiency.
Enhancing Quantum Chip Testing Technology
Garrelt Alberts, executive director of OrangeQS, noted that the OrangeQS MAX system already establishes new industry benchmarks for high-volume, automated testing. He expressed confidence that the new program and EIC Fund support will consolidate the company's leading position in the sector. This move is crucial as the industry scales towards widespread commercial production of quantum chips.
The partnership program is designed to ensure the OrangeQS MAX system remains both future-proof and fit-for-purpose for a rapidly evolving industry. Planned upgrades will facilitate faster cryogenic quantum chip testing, a vital capability for mass production. This forward-looking approach directly aligns the company's innovations with the long-term roadmaps of major quantum hardware manufacturers.
This dual announcement of a €15 million seed round and a strategic partnership program marks a significant step forward for OrangeQS. The fresh capital and collaborative framework empower the company to address one of the most pressing challenges in the quantum computing supply chain. By refining and scaling chip testing solutions, OrangeQS is paving the way for the industry's transition from research to commercial viability.