Ephos, a leader in glass-based photonic chip production, has announced an $8.5 million funding round and the establishment of a cutting-edge research and manufacturing facility in Milan. The facility is dedicated to producing glass-based quantum photonic circuits, marking the world's first such center. Funding included non-dilutive contributions from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). Ephos was one of only 10 companies selected from over 1,300 applicants to receive support from these organizations.
The seed round was led by Starlight Ventures, with participation from Collaborative Fund, Exor Ventures, 2100 Ventures, Unruly Capital, Green Sands Equity, Silicon Roundabout Ventures, Club degli Investitori, and several prominent angel investors. Notable angel investors include Joe Zadeh (former VP at Airbnb), Diego Piacentini (former SVP at Amazon), and Simone Severini (General Manager of Quantum Technologies at AWS).
Ephos' new facility is located in the Milano Innovation District (MIND), a major European technology hub. This expansion will serve as a central hub for manufacturing and product innovation, significantly boosting Ephos's capacity to scale its proprietary chip technology. Alongside the Milan facility, the funding will also be used to expand Ephos's team in San Francisco.
Ephos distinguishes itself from traditional silicon-based chip manufacturers by focusing on glass-based photonic chips. These chips enhance the scalability and performance of advanced quantum computing, communications, and sensing devices. Ephos's glass substrates minimize signal loss, a critical challenge in building effective quantum computers. The company's innovative 3D design and manufacturing capabilities provide unique scaling opportunities and computational advantages.
Photonic technologies have broad applications beyond quantum computing, including energy-efficient data centers. As AI continues to strain data center energy demands, Goldman Sachs predicts a 160% increase in power usage by 2030, highlighting the need for solutions like Ephos's chips. Ephos ensures all chips are manufactured in-house, relying solely on US and EU suppliers, reinforcing Allied security interests.
By developing critical quantum infrastructure within NATO's tech ecosystem, Ephos supports strategic independence in quantum technologies. In September 2024, DIANA announced Ephos's selection for Phase II of its acceleration program, awarding €450,000 in non-dilutive funding across two phases. Andrea Rocchetto, CEO and co-founder of Ephos, emphasized the transformative potential of their chips in reshaping computational infrastructure for the future. Kike Miralles, Principal at Starlight Ventures, praised Ephos for its ability to reduce signal loss and improve energy efficiency, positioning it as a key player in advancing quantum and classical computing technologies.
