Ephos - Quantum Computing Company Profile | Quantum Navigator

Ephos

Ephos is a Milan-based startup founded in 2022 that designs and manufactures glass-based integrated photonic circuits for both classical and quantum devices. The company raised $8.5 million in seed funding led by Starlight Ventures and opened the world’s first glass-based quantum photonic circuits manufacturing facility in Milan. Founded by theoretical physicist Andrea Rocchetto with co-founders Francesco Ceccarelli, Giacomo Corrielli, and Roberto Osellame, Ephos uses glass fiber optics to build photonic chips that dramatically reduce coupling losses between fibers and chips compared to silicon-based competitors. The company received backing from the European Innovation Council and NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator, being selected as one of 10 companies from over 1,300 applicants, positioning them to address growing computational demands in quantum computing and AI infrastructure through innovative glass-based photonic chip technology.

Planckian - Quantum Computing Company Profile | Quantum Navigator

Planckian

Planckian is a Pisa-based quantum technology startup that emerged as a joint spinoff from the University of Pisa and Scuola Normale Superiore to pioneer groundbreaking solid-state energy technology using quantum mechanics. The company secured €2.7 million in pre-seed funding in July 2023 led by CDP Venture, Exor Ventures, and private investors to transcend traditional electrochemical approaches in energy technology. Planckian’s research focuses on leveraging quantum effects to enable qubits to achieve collective higher energy states, with potential applications in revolutionizing sustainable energy solutions including quantum batteries capable of indefinite energy storage. The company also develops superconducting quantum computers with innovative global control schemes, combining quantum battery research with quantum computing hardware development. Founded by leading quantum researchers including Marco Polini (Chief Scientific Officer) and Vittorio Giovannetti (Executive Scientific Advisor), Planckian represents Italy’s push into quantum energy applications and next-generation quantum processor architectures.

Rotonium - Quantum Computing Company Profile | Quantum Navigator

Rotonium

Rotonium is an Italian deep-tech startup founded in 2022 that secured €1 million in seed funding led by Galaxia and CDP Venture Capital to advance single-photon qudit technology for room-temperature quantum computing. The company develops silicon photonics components that enable quantum computers to operate at room temperature, allowing for compact, versatile systems usable on Earth, in the air, and in space. Rotonium’s technology is designed to operate in energy-constrained environments like space, positioning the company as a potential leader in edge quantum computing applications. The company focuses on quantum computing for space and edge applications where traditional cryogenic quantum computers are impractical, with plans to collaborate with universities and research centers to advance next-generation quantum processing capabilities. Rotonium’s room-temperature approach using single-photon qudits represents a distinct architectural path from traditional superconducting and trapped-ion approaches, targeting specialized applications in aerospace and edge computing markets.