KETS Quantum Security raises £3.1 million to keep data safe from the next generation of quantum-computing enabled hackers

• The day is approaching when quantum computers will be able to crack all the existing encryption that protects our data
• KETS Quantum Security will bring quantum-safe chip-based encryption development kits to market to begin guarding critical data from quantum computer attacks
• The funding round was co-led by Quantonation and Speedinvest, with participation from Mustard Seed MAZE

8 June 2021; Bristol, UK

KETS Quantum Security has raised a £3.1 million round to bring to market hardware to protect data from a new generation of cyberattacks that will use quantum computers to break through all existing encryption protections.

Progress in the field of quantum computing has been advancing exponentially over the past decade. With that progress, the threat of quantum attacks on our communications is rapidly approaching ‘Q-Day’ – the day when all the private information we currently encrypt and send around the world, becomes public and easily readable by a quantum computer.  

KETS Quantum Security is developing protection against quantum security threats, starting with chip-based, quantum-safe encryption development kits. For example, the technology will enable quantum-safe data centre back-ups to ensure our banking information, which most financial services providers are moving to the cloud, is quantum-safe and secure.  It will also allow telecommunications providers to flexibly and securely control their networks and alert them to new attacks on their systems.  

The new funding will be used to accelerate development, production, and delivery of first products. It will also allow KETS to expand key first trials of the technology in real-world applications and environments that are already in development. To deliver all of this, KETS will continue building a world-leading team passionate about the company’s technology and values. 

Secure information technology is a global need. Recognising this, KETS will continue to expand into the global marketplace beyond its first international office, which has recently been established in Paris, France.

KETS’ future-proof, scalable, and easily deployed hardware solutions are: 

Quantum Key Distribution 

Current cybersecurity is threatened by powerful hardware, sophisticated algorithms and the emergence of quantum computing. KETS’ on-chip Quantum Key Distribution offers a practical solution by optically distributing secure cryptographic keys.

Quantum Random Number Generator

Secret random numbers are at the heart of cryptography. Inferior generators can render communications insecure. KETS’ high-performance, practical solution addresses this by generating randomness based on the unpredictable properties of quantum mechanical light. 

“In today’s world, we don’t go 30 seconds without touching digital technology of some kind, all of which is networked, none of which is quantum-safe,” says Dr Chris Erven, CEO and co-founder of KETS Quantum Security. “At KETS, we’ve made it our mission to protect the world’s most valuable resource—information—from the threat of quantum computing. This investment will allow us to make quantum-safe communications solutions ubiquitous and easily integrated. Ultimately, KETS is building a world in which we can trust our digital connections as much as our personal ones.”

Olivier Tonneau from Quantonation said,

“KETS is reaching a key point in its story, with products that will now be available to deploy, bringing clients the world’s first on-chip, quantum-secured solutions protecting against the future threat of quantum computers.”

Rick Hao from Speedinvest said,

“KETS is developing technology with a vision to solve some of the global cybersecurity challenges faced by the largest organisations by combining the power of quantum encryption technologies with the scalability and practicality of integrated, chip-based quantum photonics. Bristol is leading the world on building quantum technology hardware, and Speedinvest is excited to be backing great deep tech entrepreneurs here.”

For more information, please contact Caroline Clark: [email protected]

About: 

KETS 

KETS Quantum Security Ltd has figured out how to miniaturise quantum-safe cryptographic hardware in a size, form-factor, and price-point that now makes it commercially interesting to Telcos, Data centres, and Defence & Space, and easily integrated with their systems. It is a multi-award-winning start-up from the Quantum Engineering Technology Labs (QETLabs) at the University of Bristol and industrial partner in the Quantum Communications Hub, part of the National UK Quantum Technologies Programme. For more information about KETS Quantum Security, please visit www.kets-quantum.com. 

Quantonation

Quantonation is an Early Stage Venture Fund dedicated to Deep Physics startups with a focus on the emerging and disruptive fields of Quantum Communications, Computing and Sensing. Quantonation is managed by Audacia, leading French-regulated private equity investment firm. Quantonation invests worldwide from Paris and works closely with the startups it invests in, leveraging its partners expertise and network to their benefit. For more information about Quantonation please visit www.quantonation.com.

Speedinvest

Speedinvest is a European venture capital fund with more than €400M AUM and 40 investors working from Berlin, London, Munich, Paris, Vienna and San Francisco. Employing a focused investment team structure, we fund innovative early-stage technology startups in the areas of Deep Tech, Fintech, Industrial Tech, Network Effects, Digital Health and Subscriptions. Speedinvest actively deploys its global network and in-house Platform+ operational experts to support our portfolio of nearly 200 companies, including with US market expansion. Learn more: www.speedinvest.com 

Mustard Seed MAZE 

Mustard Seed MAZE (MSM) is an impact Venture Capital fund investing in bold entrepreneurs with sustainable business models across Europe. The fund invests in the great businesses of the future, those that profit from solving social and environmental challenges. MSM targets fast-growing European ventures with global lock-step potential where impact and financial returns are mutually reinforcing. In addition, MSM provides tailored support throughout their journey of growth. Based in Lisbon and with €40M under management, MSM has invested in European-based startups such as Student Finance (SP), Ohne (PT), Omocom (SE) and Careship (DE) please visit http://mustardseedmaze.vc/