Universal Quantum, born at the University of Sussex, has raised over $100m, the biggest Series A by a UK quantum firm. Here is who invested and what it is for.
Universal Quantum, a quantum computing company that grew out of research at the University of Sussex, has raised more than $100 million. The university announced the round on Thursday 8 October. It says the money is the largest Series A investment raised by any UK quantum firm, a record for a Sussex spin-out, and “one of the largest investments in any UK university spin-out ever”.
A Series A is normally a young company’s first big outside funding round, and the university says this is Universal Quantum’s first significant one. The money will pay for the company’s global expansion and for work to develop and sell its modular quantum technology. The university says that work points towards “larger-scale, more powerful, error-correcting quantum computers that can solve problems beyond the reach of today’s machines”, with possible uses in drug discovery, advanced materials and more efficient energy systems.
From a Sussex blueprint to 100 staff
The company was co-founded by Professor Winfried Hensinger and Dr Sebastian Weidt of the university’s Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies. In 2017 the pair co-wrote what the university calls “the first practical blueprint for a large-scale trapped-ion quantum computer”.
The university says the company now has sites on three continents and more than 100 highly skilled employees. It describes this as a journey from “an academic vision” to “a global engineering operation”.
Dr Weidt is the company’s chief executive. He is also Professor of Quantum Computing and Entrepreneurship at Sussex. He said:
“Universal Quantum’s progress reflects our partners’ belief that we represent one of the most credible paths to quantum computing at scale. This round unites an extraordinary group of investors from the world’s most important pools of capital around a single mission: delivering utility-scale quantum computing.”
Who put the money in
Two firms co-led the round: Firgun Ventures and DCVC. The other backers named by the university are EDBI, Invus, Integral GlobalTech, Main Sequence, Hostplus, NGS Super, IAG Capital, EdenBase, Full Disclosure, and Dave Baszucki, the founder and chief executive of Roblox. Existing and new strategic investors also took part, among them Nauta Capital and The Venture Collective.
The announcement does not say how the company is valued or exactly how much above $100 million was raised.
A “Quantum Silicon Valley” for Sussex and Brighton
The university wants the area to become known worldwide for quantum technology, and calls the idea a “Quantum Silicon Valley” that would draw investment, talent and new businesses. It says Universal Quantum is a big part of that plan.
Professor Sasha Roseneil, the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, said:
“This record investment in cutting edge technology led by Sussex academics demonstrates the calibre of world-leading quantum computing research developed at the University of Sussex, and Universal Quantum’s success in turning that research into a global business.
“Universal Quantum’s ambition to establish a ‘Quantum Silicon Valley’ in the Sussex and Brighton region is particularly exciting. This investment brings that vision significantly closer and has the potential to generate highly skilled, high-value jobs, to attract further investment and to strengthen the region’s reputation as a hub for quantum technology.
“This is another demonstration of the quality of research being undertaken by Sussex academics, translating fundamental research into globally significant innovation and commercial success.”
The university also points to its physics research. It says it is ranked joint first in the world for research impact in physics in the 2026 Shanghai Ranking Academic World Ranking of Universities. Separately, it recently announced that Sussex researchers will play a leading role in a NASA mission, with Seb Oliver, Professor of Astrophysics, leading the UK’s part of the PRIMA science team.
What it means for you
Nothing changes for residents straight away. The announcement does not say how many of the new jobs will be in Sussex, or whether the company plans new premises in Brighton and Hove. What the university does say is that the investment could bring “highly skilled, high-value jobs” and more investment to the area. For people studying or working in physics and engineering locally, a well-funded employer with Sussex roots is worth watching.
It is a rare good-news day for the city’s universities. Last month we reported that the University of Brighton plans to close its Falmer campus by 2030.
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