Aalto University’s newest quantum hardware spinout announces €2.8M seed funding round

A new Aalto University deep-tech spinout has raised €2.78 million in seed funding to scale quantum computers, simultaneously solving physical space issues inside the cryostat while reducing noise.

The startup, Coherence Quantum, is the latest hardware company to enter Finland’s rapidly growing quantum science and tech scene, with seed funding coming from Helsinki-based investment firm Lifeline Ventures, with participation from Mårten Mickos.

Coherence Quantum is developing an integrated cryogenic signalling and control platform that sits between room temperature electronics and the quantum processor. Their technology first focuses on cryogenic signal conditioning to protect the qubit environment, with the long-term goal of bringing control functionality inside the cryostat to enable large-scale systems without proportional increases in wiring and heat.

The company has deep ties to Aalto University. Aashish Sah is the CEO and is a doctoral researcher from the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto. Suman Kundu was the OtaNano staff scientist largely responsible for setting up Aalto’s Q20 quantum computer. And Academy Professor Mikko Möttönen serves as a founding advisor for the startup.

'I was starting the third year of my PhD when my supervisor, Mikko Möttönen, reached out about turning our research into a Business Finland Research-to-Business (R2B) project. Alongside Suman Kundu, we spent about two and a half years developing prototypes, testing our technology, and seeing our component dramatically reduce qubit temperature compared to standard market options. After finishing our R2B project, we incorporated the company in June 2026 and officially hit the ground running; pitching to investors and ultimately partnering with Lifeline Ventures to secure our €2.78 million seed round together with participation from Mårten Mickos,' says Sah.

Now, the team has grown to eight full-time personnel, with many of the team members coming from Möttönen’s Quantum Computing and Devices research group. In addition to being supplied with excellent talent, Coherence Quantum’s launch was strongly enabled by the excellent quantum research infrastructure resources provided by OtaNano, Finland’s national research infrastructure for nano-, micro- and quantum technologies.

'The lead time for procuring a specialised dilution refrigerator for our needs is quite a few months, which can prove difficult for a young company with a 24-month runway. Facilities like OtaNano and the Micronova cleanroom that is part of it come in really handy, because we can get initial prototype development and experiments done, and continue development and discussions with customers based on the results we have,' says Sah.

Operated by Aalto University and VTT, OtaNano is comprised of the Low Temperature Laboratory, Micronova, and the Nanomicroscopy Center. The OtaNano research infrastructure houses comprehensive micro- and nanofabrication facilities in clean-room environments, high-resolution imaging and characterization equipment, and state-of-the-art experimental facilities, including ultra-low temperature possibilities.

Physics meets entrepreneurship

Physicists at heart, the group was challenged early on to refine their pitching and networking skills in order to secure the necessary seed funding. Sah recalls how, after indicating his interest in entrepreneurship early on in his PhD career, he and the team were soon on a funding-seeking circuit, travelling around the US and the Nordics to form relationships with potential VCs.

Chief Product Officer Erkki Soininen says these early interactions with potential investors forced them to rethink what was possible in the first years of their operation.

'When we engaged with the investors, they actually encouraged us to set our ambition level higher and higher. Initially, we were just very excited about a few specific products we had. But the conversations encouraged us that since we are going to be spending 5 to 10 years here, why not look beyond our first products and think more ambitiously about the role we could play in how quantum computers scale,' says Soininen.

The announcement of the Coherence Quantum spinout marks the fifth such spinout to come from a Finnish Quantum Flagship research group. The Finnish Quantum Flagship, the largest research coalition project of its kind in the nation, is funded by the Research Council of Finland and coordinated by Aalto University.

Möttönen is one of about 40 principal investigators part of the Finnish Quantum Flagship, where he is part of the programme focussed on quantum hardware and devices. 

'The launch of Coherence Quantum demonstrates again the strength of Finland’s quantum ecosystem. Great science by great scientists will be turned into impact. I’m really excited to play a role in Coherence Quantum’s journey,' says Möttönen.

The Finnish Quantum Flagship is housed inside of InstituteQ, Finland’s National quantum Institute, of which Aalto University is one of three original founding members. InstituteQ brings together world-class research, industry, and government to accelerate the development of quantum science and technology. Driven by the work of its three core pillars – ResQ (Research), InnoQ (Business & Innovation), and EduQ (Education) – InstituteQ aims to turn long-term scientific excellence into real-world impact, positioning Finland as a leading and globally connected hub for quantum innovation.