Company · London
Arqit sells encryption software, not quantum hardware: its Symmetric Key Agreement platform puts lightweight agents on each device to generate and broker shared keys, wrapped with post-quantum algorithms such as NIST's ML-KEM. The London firm was incorporated in 2017 as Omega QKD and led Next Generation Satellite QKD, a £4.5m Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund project (2020 to 2024) with BT, Toshiba, Nu Quantum and STFC among the partners. Now listed on Nasdaq as ARQQ, it showed quantum-safe data transfer with Babcock from Millbrook during DVD 2026 in September 2026.
Arqit, based in London, is a company whose work covers post quantum cryptography, quantum cryptography and quantum software; it was founded in 2017. In this directory it leads Next Generation Satellite QKD: Creating a UK Sovereign Capability for Manufacturing Satellite QKD Payloads and is a partner in 4 more. Profiled here: Andy Leaver (CEO).
Sources: SKA-Platform (Arqit) · Arqit Limited company record (Companies House) · Next Generation Satellite QKD (Gateway to Research) · Arqit warrants expiry notice, Form 6-K (SEC) · Babcock and Arqit demonstrate quantum-safe network (Quantum Zeitgeist)
An Arqit-led consortium working on UK manufacture of quantum key distribution payloads for satellites.
Role: Lead
Themes: Communications, Networks
IQN
A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Networks, Communications
A BT-led consortium testing free-space quantum key distribution for short and mid-range links, including 5G and connected vehicles.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
The phase 2 national hub for quantum communications, led by the University of York. The hub's work ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £23.5m
Themes: Communications, Networks
CQT Challenge
An Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund programme, delivered by Innovate UK, that funded companies to turn quantum research into products.
Role: Partner
Funding: £174m
Themes: Computing, Sensing, Imaging, Communications, Timing and navigation
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention Arqit.
Arqit Quantum Inc. announces select preliminary financial results for the second half and full fiscal year 2026, expecting revenue of approximately $355,000 to $380,000 for the second half period ended 30 September 2026. For the full fiscal year ended 30 September 2026, revenue is expected to be $97
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Babcock & Arqit securely transferred data at DVD 2026, demonstrating resilient communications against future quantum-enabled threats.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Five years ago this month, a quantum company rang the opening bell on a US exchange for the first time. That company was Arqit, a British quantum encryption firm briefly valued at close to $3 billion, now valued considerably less. Seven pure-play quantum computing companies have followed it onto Ame
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Arqit Quantum Inc., Es’hailSat, and AIEE successfully demonstrated quantum-safe security on live satellite communications on September 1, 2026.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Research, commercial and investment relationships, by year. Partners with a profile here are linked.
Colt Technology Services Commercial 2026
Recorded on Colt Technology Services's profile.
Crypta Labs Commercial 2026
Recorded on Crypta Labs's profile.
nLighten Commercial 2026
RAD Commercial 2026
Intel Commercial 2025
UK National Cyber Security Centre Commercial 2025
BT Group Commercial 2023
Northrop Grumman Commercial 2023
BAE Systems Quantum Commercial 2022
Recorded on BAE Systems Quantum's profile.
Quantum Exponential Investment 2021
Recorded on Quantum Exponential's profile.
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Chosen by shared specialisms, then location and type.
Company · London · 2 shared specialisms
Company · London · 2 shared specialisms
Company · London · 2 shared specialisms
Company · London · 2 shared specialisms
Company data from Entangled Future. News from Quantum Zeitgeist. Last checked 10 October 2026.
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