QuTech spinoff FrostByte raises €1.3 million for cryo-electronics for scalable quantum computers
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QuTech FrostByte develops cryo-electronics for one of the biggest scaling challenges in quantum computing: how to control millions of qubits without overwhelming systems with cables, heat generation and external electronics. The QuTech spinoff develops technology that brings control infrastructure closer to the quantum processor itself, laying the foundation for scalable quantum systems.To further develop this technology, the company has raised €1.3 million from InnovationQuarter Capital, Graduate Ventures, Paeonia Group, UNIIQ and an angel investor.Quantum processors operate at temperatures close to absolute zero. In current systems, a large part of the control electronics remains outside the cryogenic environment, meaning that every additional qubit leads to more connections, complexity and energy consumption. FrostByte moves part of that control electronics inside the cryogenic environment itself, using specialised cryo-CMOS technology designed to function at extremely low temperatures.With this investment, FrostByte aims to further industrialise its technology. The company will expand its team, scale up production of cryogenic switches and develop integrated cryo-CMOS circuits that drastically reduce the size, complexity and energy requirements of future quantum systems.The startup’s technology builds on more than ten years of research within TU Delft and QuTech. The company combines cryogenic engineering with semiconductor technology, translating fundamental research into manufacturable hardware for quantum systems.Supported by pioneers in cryo-CMOSFrostByte is led by founders James Kroll (CEO) and Luc Enthoven (CTO), and is scientifically supported by Fabio Sebastiano and Masoud Babaie. Both advisors are internationally recognized pioneers in this field and bring decades of research experience that is now being translated into commercial applications.James Kroll, CEO and co-founder of FrostByte: “This investment enables us to further develop our technology towards manufacturable cryo-electronics for the global quantum industry.”“What makes FrostByte particularly interesting is that the company addresses a bottleneck the entire quantum sector is facing,” says Mike Theunissen, Investment Manager at UNIIQ. “The team combines deep scientific expertise with a clear route towards concrete products and applications. That strongly aligns with UNIIQ’s mission: helping technologies from Zuid-Holland grow from research into commercial impact.”“InnovationQuarter Capital supports that next stage of growth,” says Max Straatman, Investment Manager at InnovationQuarter Capital. “FrostByte brings together highly specialized expertise in cryogenic electronics, semiconductors and quantum systems, developing an important enabling technology for the next generation of scalable quantum systems.”“FrostByte is exactly the type of company that demonstrates the strength of the Dutch knowledge economy,” says Auke van den Hout, Managing Partner at Graduate Ventures. “Our investment in FrostByte aligns with the broader strategy of Graduate Ventures to invest in key technologies such as quantum, AI and climate tech, where fundamental research is directly translated into industrial applications.”Accelerating investments in Delft startupsThis investment news is the latest in a series of recent funding announcements for QuTech spinoffs: in the past couple of weeks, Groove Quantum raised €16M, and QuantWare secured €152 million in Series B equity funding. Delft has seen investments in its quantum companies accelerate over the past five years.This website uses cookies. By clicking "I accept" you give your permission to this website to use cookies. What are cookies?This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.