Quantum Tech VC Firm Ground State Ventures Promotes Kris Kaczmarek to Partner
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Insider Brief Ground State Ventures promoted Investment Director Kris Kaczmarek to Partner as the firm expands globally following its rebrand from QDNL Participations and growth of its $88 million quantum-focused fund.
Ground State Ventures recently backed companies including Sygaldry and participated in QuantWare’s $178 million Series B round, continuing its strategy of supporting quantum startups from their earliest stages. Kaczmarek, a former University of Oxford researcher and co-founder of ORCA Computing, joins founder Ton van ‘t Noordende and quantum computing entrepreneur Chad Rigetti as a Partner at the firm. PRESS RELEASE — Ground State Ventures, the $88 million global fund backing high-potential quantum technology startups at their earliest stages, has promoted its Investment Director Dr. Kris Kaczmarek to become a Partner in the firm. This announcement follows the recent news of Ground State Ventures’ rebrand from its original name, QDNL Participations. Having raised an $88 million fund, the firm has expanded its focus globally from its beginnings in the Netherlands. Recent investments at the firm have included Seed and Series A investments in US quantum-AI startup Sygaldry, and participation in the $178 million Series B round for QuantWare. As with all of its portfolio, Ground State Ventures backed both of these teams from the beginning of their journeys. Kris has a unique background that spans academia, entrepreneurship, and investing, and in 2021 he was recognised by Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for his contributions to quantum technologies. His University of Oxford PhD research saw him lead a team that demonstrated the first successful storage of single photons in a room-temperature quantum memory. He also contributed to the invention and commercialisation of a novel technique for microwave-to-optical conversion using Rydberg atoms His academic research led to the formation of the photonic quantum computing and AI company ORCA Computing. As part of the management team, he built and led teams in atomic physics, engineering, product, AI, business development and sales. Kris then transitioned into the venture capital world, as an investor at quantum-focused firm 2xN. Kris joined Ground State Ventures in 2024 and has played an important role in the fund’s international expansion and the growth of its portfolio. He currently sits on the board of US-based quantum technology startups SiC Systems and EuQlid, and serves as a board observer for US-based Quantum Elements and Netherlands-based OrangeQS. His promotion sees Kris join founder Ton van ‘t Noordende and quantum computing pioneer Chad Rigetti as a Partner in the firm. Ton van ‘t Noordende, founder and General Partner at Ground State Ventures, says: “Kris embodies our core thesis at Ground State Ventures. The best portfolio of early-stage investments in a highly technical, emerging field such as quantum can only be developed by a team of specialists who combine serious knowledge of the science with a real understanding of what it takes to build venture-scale successes in deep tech. Chad and I are proud to promote Kris to Partner.” Kris Kaczmarek says: “I am excited to partner with Ton and Chad to build the world’s leading quantum fund. We’re at an inflection point in quantum. The next generation of winners are just getting started and we are there to support them.” Matt Swayne LinkedIn With a several-decades long background in journalism and communications, Matt Swayne has worked as a science communicator for an R1 university for more than 12 years, specializing in translating high tech and deep tech for the general audience. He has served as a writer, editor and analyst at The Quantum Insider since its inception. In addition to his service as a science communicator, Matt also develops courses to improve the media and communications skills of scientists and has taught courses. matt@thequantuminsider.com Share this article: