Q.ANT

Q.ANT is a photonic technology scale-up, originating from TRUMPF's R&D labs, specializing in Native Computing and Native Sensing. They leverage light-based technologies to advance AI and high-performance computing (HPC) through their photonic processors, which offer increased efficiency for matrix-vector multiplications crucial in deep neural networks. Their Native Sensing solutions, including magnetometry and atomic gyroscopes, utilize light for high-quality data acquisition and signal processing, enabling new human-machine interfaces and advanced navigation. The company's proprietary Para.Digm framework underpins these developments, aiming to overcome the limitations of existing technologies and create new application areas across various industries. Q.ANT is recognized by Gartner as a Sample Vendor in multiple Hype Cycle reports for Deep Technologies and Compute.

AI AccelerationEnergy-Efficient AIHPCLight-based technologyNative ComputingNative SensingPhotonic ComputingQuantum Sensingqant.com

Q.ANT

AI AccelerationEnergy-Efficient AIHPCLight-based technologyNative ComputingNative SensingPhotonic ComputingQuantum Sensingqant.com

HQStuttgart, DE

Team Size89

Open Jobs11

Total Funding$72M

Latest Fundraise8 months ago

TL;DR

Founded: 2018

Headquarters: Stuttgart, Germany

Core tech: Photonic processors for native computing and sensing (LENA architecture)

Latest round: Series A (€62M announced July 17, 2025)

Employee count: 89

Company Overview

Problem Domain

Energy-efficient, high-performance compute for AI/HPC and high-quality sensing for navigation and interfaces.

Founded

2018

Industry

Data and Analytics

Tech Stack

Photonic processors (LENA)

Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN)

Funding Track Record

Series A- 2025-07-17

€62,000,000

Series A announced July 17, 2025; subsequent closing added Duquesne Family Office per company communications.

Investor Signal

“Involved deep-tech and strategic investors including Cherry Ventures, UVC Partners, imec.xpand, TRUMPF and other European deep-tech investors”

Founders

What we do

TL;DR

Company Overview

Funding Track Record

Founders

What we do

Q.ANT

AI AccelerationEnergy-Efficient AIHPCLight-based technologyNative ComputingNative SensingPhotonic ComputingQuantum Sensingqant.com

Q.ANT

AI AccelerationEnergy-Efficient AIHPCLight-based technologyNative ComputingNative SensingPhotonic ComputingQuantum Sensingqant.com

HQStuttgart, DE

Team Size89

Open Jobs11

Total Funding$72M

Latest Fundraise8 months ago

TL;DR

Founded: 2018

Headquarters: Stuttgart, Germany

Core tech: Photonic processors for native computing and sensing (LENA architecture)

Latest round: Series A (€62M announced July 17, 2025)

Employee count: 89

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Company Overview

Problem Domain

Energy-efficient, high-performance compute for AI/HPC and high-quality sensing for navigation and interfaces.

Founded

2018

Industry

Data and Analytics

Tech Stack

Photonic processors (LENA)

Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN)

Funding Track Record

Series A- 2025-07-17

€62,000,000

Series A announced July 17, 2025; subsequent closing added Duquesne Family Office per company communications.

Investor Signal

“Involved deep-tech and strategic investors including Cherry Ventures, UVC Partners, imec.xpand, TRUMPF and other European deep-tech investors”

Founders

What we do

Related Companies

Company	HQ	Industry	Total Funding
Quandela	🇫🇷Massy, FR	Consumer ProductsDeepTechHardware	$73M
Lightium	🇨🇭Schlieren, CH	DeepTechHardwareManufacturingSustainability	$10M
2D Photonics	🇬🇧Eastbourne, GB	Consumer ProductsDeepTechHardwareManufacturingTelecommunication	-
Xscape Photonics Inc	🇺🇸Fort Lee, US	Data and AnalyticsDeepTechHardwareInformation TechnologyManufacturingSoftware	$57M
OpenLight	🇺🇸Goleta, US	DeepTechHardwareInformation TechnologyManufacturing	$37M

Join the Team

Senior Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Characterization Engineer

On-SiteStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, DE

On-Site • Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, DE

YOUR MISSION

To lead the photonic and electrical characterization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic integrated circuits (PICs) operating in the GHz regime. This role defines, develops, and operates advanced lab setups, including probe stations and test instrumentation, to extract performance metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and provide feedback to design and manufacturing. The engineer ensures high-quality measurement data, optimizes test procedures, and mentors junior engineers and operators.

Key responsibilities:

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Mobile Developer

Part-timeBelgrade, RS

Part-time • Belgrade, RS

Backend Developer

Part-timeBelgrade, RS

Part-time • Belgrade, RS

Frontend Developer

Full-timeAmsterdam, NL

Full-time • Amsterdam, NL

Technical Writer

InternshipCambridge, GB

Internship • Cambridge, GB

Backend Developer

Full-timeLondon, GB

Full-time • London, GB

Machine Learning Engineer

Full-timeBerlin, DE

Full-time • Berlin, DE

Oversee daily characterization activities, ensuring high-quality, reproducible results.

Define, design, build, and maintain optical and RF test setups, including probe station configuration, calibration, and optimization.

Interface with design teams to understand device specifications and testing needs; collaborate with manufacturing to feed back performance insights and improvement actions.

Schedule and prioritize characterization campaigns to align with project milestones and R&D priorities.

Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians in best practices for device testing, data acquisition, and analysis.

Ensure adherence to lab safety standards and equipment handling protocols.

Education: Master’s or PhD in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.

≥8 years in photonic device characterization, with ≥3 years in GHz-regime high-speed testing.
Proven track record in setting up and optimizing optical & RF probe stations for PIC measurements.
Experience mentoring or supervising junior engineers in lab environments.

Technical Knowledge:

Thin-film lithium niobate device physics and applications.
High-speed optical modulation, detection, and RF signal integrity principles.
Photodiode characterization principles.
Measurement instrumentation (VNAs, high-speed oscilloscopes, optical spectrum analyzers, RF probes, tunable lasers).
Calibration methods for optical and RF systems.

Tools & Processes:

Automation scripting (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB).
Data acquisition systems and post-processing workflows.
Familiarity with cleanroom processes and device fabrication steps.

Languages: Fluent in English; proficiency in German or another European language is a plus.

Make growing demand in compute and sustainability go hand in hand
Work on leading edge photonic AI acceleration technologies.
Collaborative and innovative work environment.
Own your work from day one and fast-track your professional growth.
Work alongside a passionate, international, cross-functional team of experts.
Collaborate closely with the company’s founders and core leadership team.

Who we are and what we do

Q.ANT is a photonic deep-tech scale-up developing photonic processing solutions that compute natively with light and deliver a scalable alternative to transistor-based systems. Its Light Empowered Native Arithmetics (LENA) architecture delivers analog co-processing power optimised for complex computation and enabling energy-efficient performance for next-generation AI and HPC applications. Q.ANT operates its own Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) chip pilot line in collaboration with the Institute for Microelectronics Stuttgart, IMS CHIPS, and is currently shipping its Native Processing Servers to selected partners. Q.ANT was founded by Michael Förtsch in 2018 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.