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QuantWare and the EIC Accelerator: Quantum Chips Raise $178M

September 29, 2026893 words5 min

QuantWare, spun out of QuTech at TU Delft in 2021, sells superconducting quantum processors to anyone building a quantum computer. It started with a 5-qubit chip, Soprano, and in March 2022 released the 25-qubit Contralto with 30-day delivery. It says it has shipped more quantum processors than any other commercial supplier.

The European Innovation Council granted €2,499,700 towards DEMOQC, a €3.8 million project from January 2023 to April 2025 to scale "from 64 fully controllable qubits to over 1,000 qubits" with a 3D architecture. The final report records "successful realization of a prototype" of that architecture. The largest processor QuantWare has delivered is the 64-qubit Tenor, according to PostQuantum. Meanwhile the company raised a €20 million Series A with the EIC Fund in 2025 and a $178 million Series B in May 2026.

€2.50MEIC grant, 66% of a €3.8M project
64Qubits in the largest delivered processor, against 1,000+ targeted
$178MSeries B, May 2026
50+Customers in 20 countries, per the company

Company file

Legal entity
QuantWare B.V., Delft, Netherlands
Founded
2021, QuTech spin-out
Founders
Matt Rijlaarsdam (CEO), Alessandro Bruno
Products
A-Line and D-Line processors, VIO 3D scaling architecture, foundry and packaging services
Investors
Intel Capital, In-Q-Tel, ETF Partners, Invest-NL, InnovationQuarter, FORWARD.one, EIC Fund and others
EIC project
DEMOQC, 1 Jan 2023 to 30 Apr 2025
EIC funding
Blended finance; EIC Fund joined the 2025 Series A

Where QuantWare Stands Now

In May 2026 QuantWare raised $178 million, which it put at €152 million, in a Series B with new investors Intel Capital, In-Q-Tel and ETF Partners alongside FORWARD.one, the Invest-NL Deep Tech Fund, InnovationQuarter Capital, Ground State Ventures and Graduate Ventures. It called it the largest private round raised by a dedicated quantum processor company. The money is for VIO-40K and for KiloFab, a fab in Delft meant to raise production capacity twentyfold. The company says it serves more than 50 customers in 20 countries.

"VIO-40K will deliver 10,000-qubit processors on an open architecture that the entire ecosystem can build on."

Matt Rijlaarsdam, CEO and co-founder, QuantWare, May 2026

The Technology: Stacking Qubits in 3D

QuantWare's VIO architecture delivers control signals to qubits through a 3D stack of chiplet modules, instead of routing them from the edge of a flat chip. In December 2025 it announced VIO-40K, a design for 10,000-qubit processors with first shipments in 2028. PostQuantum noted that "10,000 qubits are still on paper for now" and that the release gave no two-qubit gate fidelities or logical error rates across such a device.

What the EIC Project Promised, and What CORDIS Shows

DEMOQC promised to take QuantWare from 64 to over 1,000 qubits, keep delivery under 30 days and sell modular 1,000-plus-qubit processors worldwide. The report describes a prototype of the 3D architecture, automated design workflows, modular components, better fabrication yield and strategic partnerships. It gives no qubit count, customer numbers or sales. CORDIS still lists the project as signed.

  1. 3D scaling prototypeDeliveredPer final report.
  2. 1,000+ qubit processorsNot delivered64 qubits largest shipped.
  3. Global customer baseReached50+ customers, 20 countries.
  4. Follow-on equityRaised€20M and $178M.

The Money

The €20 million Series A of March 2025 was co-led by the Invest-NL Deep Tech Fund and InnovationQuarter, with the EIC Fund participating. QuantWare does not publish revenue.

What Cannot Be Checked

Questions for the EIC

QuantWare's revenue, how many processors it has shipped, the performance of the VIO prototype, and how much the EIC Fund invested are not public.

Why Europe Should Care

Quantum processors are a strategic technology, and QuantWare is a Dutch supplier that now counts Intel's venture arm and In-Q-Tel among its shareholders. The EIC backed it early; the next stage of its growth is being paid for largely by US and Dutch investors.

What the project promised

Modular processors of over 1,000 qubits, available to organisations worldwide.

What the record shows

A 3D prototype, 64 qubits as the largest delivered chip, a 10,000-qubit design for 2028 and $178 million raised.

The Verdict

Missed the number, won the market

QuantWare did not ship the 1,000-qubit processors its EIC project promised. It has still raised what it calls the largest private round of any dedicated quantum processor company, on the promise of an even larger chip that has yet to be built.

QuantWare and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.

Start with the EIC Accelerator

Professional proposal writing and expert review for Step 1 and Step 2.

Eureka Network

Eureka Network offers multiple international collaborative R&D programs including Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, with funding ranging from €50K to €6.75M per project depending on the specific program. The network focuses on market-driven innovation and deep-tech development across diverse technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Applicants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars specifically targeting R&D-performing SMEs.

EIC Transition

EIC Transition provides up to €2.5 million in funding to bridge the 'valley of death' between laboratory research and market deployment, focusing on technology maturation and validation. The program supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Technology areas include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics.

EIC STEP Scale-Up

EIC STEP Scale-Up offers substantial equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies ready for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The program targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have secured pre-commitment from qualified investors. Focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero goals, and Biotechnologies.

EIC Pre-Accelerator

EIC Pre-Accelerator is a pilot program providing €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. The initiative is exclusively available to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to support regional innovation development. The program covers deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains.

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges is a new pilot program offering €300,000 (Stage 1) and up to €2.5 million (Stage 2) for breakthrough deep-tech solutions through ARPA-style staged funding with demand-side integration. The program targets single entities or small consortia (2-3 partners) including SMEs, start-ups, and research organizations. Focus areas include Physical AI for autonomous robotics and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for animal-free biomedical testing, requiring TRL 4 entry with end-user commitment.

EIC Pathfinder

EIC Pathfinder offers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The program requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials.

EIC Accelerator

EIC Accelerator provides flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The program targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees, with MedTech/Healthcare representing 35% of funded projects. Other technology areas include Biopharma, Energy, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors.

Innovation Partnership

Innovation Partnership facilitates collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The program supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects focus on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches.

Innovation Fund

The EU Innovation Fund provides substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The program targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Applicants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK offers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular focus on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization.

Industrial Partnership

Industrial Partnership provides €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The program supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships.

Eurostars

Eurostars is a joint EU-Eureka program offering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program takes a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities.

LIFE Programme

The LIFE Programme provides €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The program supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Applicants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges.

Neotec

Neotec is a Spanish program offering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence.

Thematic Priorities

EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas.
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