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Deep Tech Rising Star: EXF Alpha Fund Invests in Photonic Computing Leader Q.ANT’s €62M Series A

EXF Alpha, the syndication fund managed by Venionaire Ventures S.à r.l., a subsidiary of Venionaire Capital AG, has joined the €62 million Series A funding round of Q.ANT. This German deep tech company is transforming computing with photonic processing technology designed for AI and high-performance computing (HPC).

A Strategic Investment in Next-Generation Computing

Q.ANT develops cutting-edge photonic processors that outperform traditional CMOS-based chips. Their technology delivers better energy efficiency and scalable performance – two essential features for growing AI and HPC infrastructure. As global data demands rise, Q.ANT’s solutions help reduce energy consumption while increasing computing power.

This funding round was co-led by Cherry Ventures, UVC Partners, and imec.xpand. Additional investors include L-Bank, Verve Ventures, Grazia Equity, LEA Partners, Onsight Ventures and TRUMPF.

Q.ANT: The Photonic Computing Leader

Based in Stuttgart, Germany, Q.ANT GmbH is a spin-off of TRUMPF, a global leader in industrial manufacturing. The company designs photonic chips that drive faster, greener data processing. Its innovations power applications in AI, sensing, and medical diagnostics.

“This investment proves that Europe has both the ambition and the capital to lead,” said Dr. Michael Förtsch, founder and CEO of Q.ANT. “It also connects us with strong partners who share our mission to shape the future of computing.”

By replacing electrons with light, Q.ANT builds processors that are not only faster, but also more sustainable.

Supporting Europe’s Deep Tech Ecosystem

At Venionaire Capital, we back European technologies that solve global challenges. Q.ANT’s innovation is a great example. Their processors offer data centers a way to boost performance while cutting energy use.

“We focus on deep tech from Europe with the potential for global impact,” said Berthold Baurek-Karlic, CEO of Venionaire Capital and Managing Director of Venionaire Ventures S.à r.l. “Q.ANT’s photonic architecture offers exactly that: performance, efficiency, and scalability.”

This investment fits our strategy to support breakthrough technologies that promise long-term value.

Aligning With Our Mission

We believe Q.ANT is well-positioned to lead a new era in computing. Their work shows that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand.

We’re proud to support Dr. Michael Förtsch and his team as they redefine how the world thinks about computing power.

The Successful Exit of flovtec

Venionaire Capital is pleased to announce the successful exit of flovtec, a Swiss-based market maker and portfolio company of the EXF Alpha S.C.S Fund, managed by Venionaire Ventures S.à r.l. flovtec has been acquired by STS Digital, a firm specializing in over-the-counter (OTC) trading and market making for digital assets. This acquisition marks a strategic milestone for both companies and advances the digital asset market-making sector. 

Venionaire’s Role in the Deal 

Venionaire Capital played a crucial role in advising on the deal. The EXF Alpha S.C.S Fund, the syndicate fund of the European Super Angels Club (ESAC), managed by Venionaire Ventures S.à r.l. based in Luxembourg, was directly involved. Berthold Baurek-Karlic, CEO @ Venionaire Capital, also served on flovtec’s Board of Directors and was instrumental in guiding the company through this acquisition process. 

This exit underscores Venionaire Capital’s commitment to supporting innovative companies and delivering value to its investors. The successful acquisition of flovtec by STS Digital highlights the potential of the digital asset market. It also demonstrates the importance of strategic partnerships in driving technological innovation. 

Looking ahead, Venionaire Capital remains dedicated to supporting groundbreaking companies within its portfolio and enabling more successful exits. 

About flovtec and Its Market-Making Expertise 

Since its founding in 2018, flovtec has established itself as a leader in liquidity solutions for digital assets. The company is known for its advanced algorithmic trading strategies and tailored liquidity management services. These innovative approaches have earned flovtec a strong reputation in the market, which paved the way for this successful and strong acquisition. 

Deal Details  

STS Digital’s acquisition of flovtec is a significant move that will greatly enhance its market-making services. flovtec’s clients, in fact, will benefit from increased liquidity and tighter spreads. Moreover, flovtec’s advanced trading infrastructure and proprietary algorithms will now power STS Digital’s platform. This integration strengthens STS Digital’s technological edge in the competitive digital asset market. 

Additionally, flovtec’s strong presence in Switzerland, coupled with its regulatory compliance, will help STS Digital expand its reach across Europe. This aligns with STS Digital’s broader strategy to become a global leader in digital asset trading and market making. Furthermore, the combined expertise of STS Digital and flovtec will lead to improved customer service. Clients can expect regulated custody, cost-efficient trading strategies, and enhanced support. 

A Significant Exit for the European Super Angels Club (ESAC) 

The European Super Angels Club held an investment stake of approximately €1.5 million in flovtec. This exit represents a successful milestone for the club. Berthold Baurek-Karlic, President of ESAC and CEO of Venionaire Capital, expressed satisfaction with the outcome:  

“The strong start of flovtec, marked by innovation and progress, led us at ESAC to invest in 2021. The merger with STS Digital, a leading trading firm for digital assets, is an excellent step forward in developing flovtec’s vision. STS Digital gains a wealth of expertise, experience, and innovative approaches from flovtec, which will ultimately benefit them. As the European Super Angels Club, we are proud to have supported this young and innovative company on their successful journey.” 

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Venionaire Capital exclusively invests through the European Super Angels Club, for more information and application please go to the website. We do not accept direct investment proposals via this website.