Delft-based Groove Quantum secures €10M EIC funding to accelerate germanium-based quantum computing

Delft-based Groove Quantum, a company that develops germanium-based quantum computing technology, has obtained €10M in funding through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme. This includes a €2.5M grant component.

The EIC selected Groove from 1,000 applicants as one of 40 deeptech startups to receive funding in Europe. The evaluation jury described Groove’s germanium qubits as “a standout in a crowded field”.

The funding will enable Groove to increase qubit counts while maintaining current fidelities, with the goal of advancing quantum computing toward practical applications.

Brief about the EIC Accelerator programme

The EIC Accelerator supports Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including startups and spin-out companies, to develop and scale innovations. 

The programme provides grants up to €2.5M combined with equity investments through the EIC Fund, ranging from €0.5M to €15M.

Companies selected by the EIC also receive coaching, mentoring, access to investors and corporations, and other business development opportunities.

The EIC Accelerator programme evaluated 150 proposals that reached the interview stage. The 40 selected companies receive nearly €230M in total funding. Companies receive either grants, equity investment, or a combination of both.

87 per cent of beneficiaries receive blended finance, which combines grants and equity investment. The remaining companies receive either grants or equity support.

Reimagining quantum computing

Founded in 2024 by Anne-Marije Zwerver and Nico Hendrickx, GROOVE Quantum develops germanium quantum technology to address quantum computing scalability challenges. 

The company uses germanium qubits, which consist of transistors and integrate with semiconductor manufacturing processes. These qubits have small size and performance characteristics that support scaling to millions of qubits needed for quantum computers.

Groove applies semiconductor industry developments to build quantum chips with robustness and cost efficiency. It focuses on qubit fabrication, operation, and integration.

Germanium qubits utilise transistor technology and are built using industry semiconductor processes. The technology aims to enable quantum computing applications in security, medicine, and materials research by providing a path to scale quantum systems.