Universal Quantum team
‘A major boost for a Quantum Silicon Valley in the Sussex and Brighton region’
Universal Quantum, a spin-out quantum computing company from the University of Sussex, has today announced it has secured over $100 million in Series A funding, making it the largest Series A investment raised by a UK quantum firm, a record investment for a University of Sussex spin-out, and one of the largest investments in any UK university spin-out ever.
The Series A funding is the company’s first significant round of investment. It will accelerate Universal Quantum’s global expansion, as well as boosting regional economic growth and the development of a Quantum Silicon Valley in the Sussex and Brighton region.
This major investment will support the development and commercialisation of Universal Quantum’s modular quantum technology, paving the way for larger-scale, more powerful, error-correcting quantum computers that can solve problems beyond the reach of today’s machines.Quantum computers could unlock breakthroughs in areas including drug discovery, advanced materials, and more efficient energy systems.
Founded on pioneering quantum computing research undertaken at the University of Sussex, Universal Quantum was co-founded by Professor Winfried Hensinger and Dr Sebastian Weidt from the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies. The pair were co-authors of the first practical blueprint for a large-scale trapped-ion quantum computer, published in 2017. What began as an academic vision has since become a global engineering operation, with sites across three continents and more than 100 highly skilled employees.
The success of Universal Quantum supports a wider vision for the Sussex and Brighton region to become a globally recognised centre for quantum technologies, a ‘Quantum Silicon Valley’ that attracts investment, talent and innovative businesses to the region.
Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex, Professor Sasha Roseneil 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.”
Professor of Quantum Computing and Entrepreneurship at the University of Sussex and co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Quantum, Dr Sebastian Weidt 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.”
The funding round was co-led by Firgun Ventures and DCVC, with participation from EDBI, Invus, Integral GlobalTech, Main Sequence, Hostplus, NGS Super, IAG Capital, EdenBase, Full Disclosure, and Dave Baszucki (founder and CEO of Roblox), as well as other existing and new strategic investors including Nauta Capital and The Venture Collective.
The University of Sussex has internationally recognised expertise in quantum technologies, including quantum computing, resting on a broad base of world-leading research in Physics. The University is ranked joint 1st in the world for research impact in Physics in the 2026 Shanghai Ranking Academic World Ranking of Universities.
The news of this exceptional investment in research from University of Sussex follows the recent announcement by NASA that University of Sussex researchers are to play a leading role in an upcoming mission. Seb Oliver, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Sussex, leads the UK's contribution to the mission on the PRIMA science team.
The University of Sussex is a founding member of ResearchPlus, a collaborative of leading research-focused UK universities, working together to strengthen the UK's research and innovation system and champion the contribution universities make to economic growth, advanced skills and the public good.