LatesT Activities and Company News

We are excited to announce a major technology milestone: KEEQuant’s Andariel Testbed Series CV-QKD systems now support 16 dB channel loss!

Why is this big news? Because 16 dB reach (80 km in standard telecom fiber) means that continuous-variable QKD is no longer limited to short links—it’s now viable not just for metro and regional, but also for long-haul, core, and data center interconnect networks, broadening its real-world application space. 🚀 This breakthrough brings us a step closer to real-world deployment at scale, making CV-QKD the scalable option for securing critical infrastructure.

✅ Security matters: Our security proofs are well-founded and sound.
➡️ What’s next? Even more reach, full certification, and further miniaturization using photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
📄 Get the full details – Download the datasheet here.

The future of quantum-secure communication is here—and we are just getting started. 💡

We’re thrilled to share that the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has officially launched a groundbreaking test of quantum key distribution (QKD) for secure communication networks, as highlighted here

• KIT press release
• Spiegel Online Wissenschaft
• Zeit Online
• Süddeutsche Zeitung
• LinkedIn Post 1
• LinkedIn Post 2

At KEEQuant, we’re proud to have provided our Andariel Testbed Series QKD system for the link. A huge thank you to all our partners and supporters who made this possible, including but not limited to Sebastian Randel , David Hunger and Patrick Matalla who made this impressive presentation possible. Your expertise and dedication are key to driving innovation forward!

📺 In case you missed it during the holiday season: KEEQuant recently appeared on SAT.1, showcasing our cutting-edge work in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and the future of secure communication! 🔒✨

We’re thrilled to see quantum research gaining more visibility, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to share the spotlight with amazing people like Christoph Marquardt (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg), Harald Weinfurter (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München), and Gerhard Rempe (Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics), who are all driving innovation in quantum technologies here in Bavaria. 🙌💡

For those interested, you can watch the segment following this link. 🎥

Let’s continue working together to make quantum safe data a reality for everyone. 🚀

Together with our partner CESNET, a provider of IT services for academia and science in the Czech Republic, we are performing integration tests of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) into the CESNET campus network to prepare solutions for a quantum-safe future. This is part of the EU flagship project SEQRET, led by KEEQuant and funded by the Digital Europe Programme. The project’s goals are to provide customer-centric, certifiable and scalable QKD solutions.

The KEEQuant “Andariel Testbed Series” product relies on Continuous-Variable QKD (CV-QKD). It is currently the only QKD technology that can be fully chip-integrated. Consequently, in the future, high-volume manufacturing and lower manufacturing costs will become tangible for CV-QKD, which is going to lead to a more widespread adoption of the technology. Further advantages of an integrated solution are significant reductions in size, weight, and power consumption, along with improved ruggedness of QKD.

With the collaboration between CESNET and KEEQuant, both parties ensure that the engineering of the CV-QKD device is aligned with real-world network requirements. This will be further explored in the collaboration within the SEQRET project.

Stay tuned for more updates on how we are securing the future of communication!

We are excited to announce that the DemoQuanDT project has successfully entered live operation! 🎉 Over a 900+ km quantum-secured network across Germany, between Berlin and Bonn, we demonstrated real-time Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), including dynamic routing of quantum-secured connections.

📍 Live Demo in Berlin
At the official demonstration in Berlin, representatives from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) witnessed the system in action, showcasing how QKD can be integrated into modern communication networks using additional components like KEEQuant’s key management system KMS1 Evaluation Series. This marks a major step toward a scalable and interoperable quantum-secured infrastructure.

🔑 Why is this important?
The project’s focus on carrier network integration and the underlying architecture aspects provide a blueprint for similar and future quantum networks. A prominent example is the EuroQCI infrastructure spanning across the European Union. Additional features like cross-border networks and inter-carrier-network links are supported .

👏 A huge thank you to all project partners:
📡 Deutsche Telekom | 🔐 Adva Network Security | 🔬 KEEQuant | 🛡 Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity | 🎓 Hochschule Darmstadt | 🏛 TU Darmstadt

This is a major milestone in building a quantum-secured future for Germany and beyond! 🚀

🔗 Learn more on the project’s site.

In October 2024, our colleague Martin attended the PIC Summit Europe in Eindhoven, one of the leading events for the Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) industry. The summit provided valuable insights into the latest developments and trends in photonic technologies.

At KEEQuant, we are actively advancing the development of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) to fully integrate our Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology onto these platforms. While we continue to build state-of-the-art QKD devices, our work on PICs represents a key step toward making quantum communication more compact, efficient, and accessible for broader applications.

Insights from Martin’s Participation:

• Attending expert talks and panel discussions on the forefront of PIC advancements.
• Networking with researchers, innovators, and industry leaders in the photonics field.
• Pitch presentation: Sharing our vision in “QKD on PICs – Making Quantum a Commodity” focusing on the integration of QKD technology into photonic platforms.

The event offered an excellent opportunity to connect with the PIC community and explore collaborative opportunities that align with our goals at KEEQuant.

🚀 Attention QKD enthusiasts! 🎉 We have shipped QKD devices again! 🚛 They’re still so big they’re taking up part of our car park 🚗 but don’t worry – KEEQuant is working hard to reduce this technology from rack size to a format that fits in a briefcase. 💼🔒 Stay tuned, the future of quantum communication is compact and mobile!

Philip, what brought you to KEEQuant?

After several years of studying in Karlsruhe, I was looking for something new: a change of location and an environment where I could continue to grow both professionally as well as personally. At the time, I was almost at the end of my Master’s studies and wanted to gain practical experience within a research-related internship in the field of quantum technologies before starting my thesis. I wanted to build a strong foundation before starting it.

KEEQuant combined everything I was looking for: a new city, new people, growth potential, practical experience, quantum technologies and above all (which I realised during the job interview) excellent support with a high degree of knowledge transfer.

So you decided to join a start-up…

Yes, I was motivated by the fact that it was a start-up. I was aware that one can learn a lot here. There is an almost inexhaustible number of tasks coupled with creative freedom. I was really surprised to find that there are really well thought-out structures in the background that provide a good framework – despite all the freedom. A good foundation on which I can continue to grow.

What does growth mean to you?

In addition to a huge amount of technological knowledge, I have learnt how to work efficiently and purposefully in my day-to-day work. Reflecting on the work process and questioning the sense of certain tasks is always at the forefront – as opposed to “lets just do stuff and see what happens”. Keeping an overview is not so easy, especially in the daily routine. At KEEQuant, working in a structured and efficient way with a sense of purpose and constant reflection are skills that are firmly burnt into the brain, so to say.

I often stumbled or got stuck on a task for a long time and asked myself: why. Many tasks that used to take me weeks now take me just a day. It’s a great feeling to go through this learning process and realise that I’ve made great professional progress.

It’s not just that I’m constantly growing. In the almost one and a half years that I’ve been here, I’ve seen the company and its internal structures evolve and become more refined and detailed as well. It’s really exciting to experience this!

So was it worth coming to KEEQuant?

Yes! I came here as an intern, just to get a taste of the practical side of things. Whether I would also write my Master’s thesis here was written in the stars for me back then. Now I’m writing my Master’s thesis at KEEQuant, simply because the conditions, the support and the subject matter are hard to beat.

You don’t have to be able to do everything right from the start – but you should be sufficiently motivated and willing to learn and not be afraid to ask questions. Above all, you should be enthusiastic! You don’t just benefit from the other people here – it works the other way too: I can really use my knowledge from university here. It feels like all those years of studying have really borne fruit, and I am now able to reap the rewards. At the same time, in addition to the technical aspects, you can also gain a lot on a personal level: you have a lot of creative freedom and feel like an equal part of the team – as a working student or master’s student as well as a permanent team member (we students also don’t make coffee for others ;-)

“Zeitenwende in der nationalen Sicherheit”

For the first time, KEEQuant took part in the AFCEA symposium as an exhibitor, organised by AFCEA Bonn e.V. – the leading user forum for telecommunications technology, computers, electronics and automation.

Under the annual motto “Turning point in national security – resilience through disruptive solutions”, an intensive discussion took place on innovative technologies in the field of national security.

As the only exhibitor in the field of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), KEEQuant illustrated the importance of secure QKD technology in the defence sector. At a time when secure communication is becoming increasingly important, it is crucial for defence against future threats.

The event took place in the historic location of the old Bundestag – an inspiring venue that emphasised the importance of the technical presentations.

We would like to thank AFCEA Bonn e.V. for this unique opportunity and look forward to the next steps towards a more secure future.

Martin, you are one of our first employees. What makes KEEQuant special for you?

Every day I immerse myself in exciting challenges that go far beyond the boundaries of quantum communications alone. From physics and quantum optics to high-frequency electronics, software and security – with a unique focus on integrated photonics. But it’s not just the technology that fascinates me, it’s also the opportunity to actively shape the company as part of a young start-up. It’s not just about a specific job, it’s about the chance to make entrepreneurial decisions and help shape the future.

We are looking for a new colleague (m/f/d) in the Integrated Photonics department.  What are you looking for in a new team member?

Titles are less important to us – we focus more on tangible skills and competencies. You need to be able to grasp complex issues quickly and work independently and efficiently. We all share a passion for scalable quantum technology and a vision to contribute to Europe’s security – integrity and long-term commitment are particularly important to us.

And what does KEEQuant have to offer?

Learning together and personal growth are our top priorities. We offer excellent support and a collaborative environment where technology enthusiasts will have fun. I find this environment energising and motivating, which also has a positive impact on my personal life.

How can an interested person apply?

Check out our current open positions and apply now!

Speaking with the words of our host, we definitely enjoyed the liveliness of the QKD ecosystem at the SQuaD-Workshop@MuQuaNet. We contributed with talks and panel discussions and enjoyed the personal meetings all along the three days in Neubiberg. Looking forward to the next meeting at PTB!

What a great event at an impressive location!

As a participant and exhibitor at the QCI Days Vienna, we had the opportunity to present our technology live and delve deeper into the details in subsequent discussions.

A particular highlight for us was the special atmosphere created by the historic rooms of the House of Industry.

KEEQuant is a proud partner of the doctoral training network “QuNEST – Quantum Enhanced Optical Communication Network Security Doctoral Training”.

QuNEST is a highly interdisciplinary and intersectoral Doctoral Network composed of leading academic and industrial partners. The project offers a total of 11 fully funded PhD Positions, funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks.

The focus of the PhD @ KEEQuant will be on photonic integrated quantum/classical transceivers. The PhD enrollment will be with Eindhoven University of Technology, who are also leading the consortium.

More information about our PhD Position can be found at the job posting. The application period extends throughout the first quarter of 2024.

All vacancies and further information about the project are published on the QuNEST website: https://qunest.eu/qunest-vacancies/

Building on our previous engagement with the EuroQCI (European Quantum Communication Infrastructure) project, our participation in the workshop provided further insights into the ongoing efforts to strengthen quantum communication in Europe.

During the workshop, our colleague Ulrich Eismann discussed with experts from various national testbed projects and industry representatives. The focus was on the further development of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology within the EU-27.

Additionally, the overarching scope of the PETRUS project was reiterated, emphasizing collaborative efforts aimed at advancing quantum cryptography in Europe.

As we progress in quantum communication, we are committed to improving data security through innovative technologies. Stay tuned to learn more about our involvement in these initiatives.

As always, the time at the it-sa expo was amazing!

We had the opportunity to engage with visitors and discuss our QKD technology through a live demo, providing insights into quantum key distribution. Even evil Eve came by and was touched by our system, tried to infer the keys in vain.

At the ATHENE Digital Hub Cybersecurity UPitsaAward live pitch event, we presented KEEQuant’s company vision. A huge thanks to Bayern Innovativ GmbH and IT-Sicherheitscluster e. V. for the great and ongoing support.

The German Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub hosted a quantum technology symposium.

Besides showcasing KEEQuant’s technology (QKD, KMS, PICs),
what we really demonstrated was our company vision:

• Scalability of QKD technology (cost, size, volume production)
• Pushing towards QKD certification
• Customer-centered network integration
• Building a truly European company

Thank you BWI GmbH & Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub for organising and hosting this extraordinary event!

Once again this year, we exhibited at the LASER World of Quantum Expo in Munich, showcasing our innovative Photonic Integrated Chip (PIC), allowing for 100% integration of KEEQuant’s CV-QKD functionality.

Exhibition Highlights:

• Live demonstrations and detailed presentations on PIC design and applications.
• Engaged with attendees, providing insights into the potential of PIC-based QKD.

In June 2023, as part of the Bayern Innovativ International community booth, we showcased our company and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology at Infosecurity Europe in London. Highlights include:

• Technology Insights: Provided in-depth information on the capabilities and benefits of QKD for data security.
• Networking: Hosted Maryland Department of Commerce delegation, fostering international connections.

Was braucht es noch um Quantenkryptographie zur breiten Anwendung zu bringen und unsere kritischen Infrastrukturen abzusichern? Frank Grotelüschen vom Deutschlandfunk hat dazu Ulrich Eismann im Rahmen der sehr hörenswerten Podcastreihe “Quantentechnologie im Realitätscheck” interviewt. Die kurzweiligen sechs Minuten werden heute Nachmittag 16:35 ausgestrahlt und sind jederzeit als Podcast verfügbar.

Two days of lively discussions about creating a QKD Post-Processing stack for the well-known protocol families of CV-QKD, DV-QKD, and EB-QKD. We are very happy to get into the details of the project with our partners: FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München , Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute HHI , Fraunhofer IOF , Technische Universität Darmstadt, and VPI Photonics. We will keep you posted on our results in the next 3 years, so stay tuned!

We spent a great day at the European Commission‘s offices attending the EuroQCI (European Quantum Communication Infrastructure) project’s kickoff. All 26 national testbed projects were showcasing their plans for the first round of testbeds. The 5 industrial projects’ representatives presented their ways of improving QKD technology from EU-27. In this group, KEEQuant is coordinating the SEQRET project (stay tuned for more details) and its main goals

• CV-QKD from EU-27
• certifiability of CV-QKD
• scaling CV-QKD through photonic integration

Finally, the overarching PETRUS project showed its scope. Exciting times ahead for quantum cryptography in Europe!

https://lnkd.in/deKcTmEX

Two days of OPENQKD’s Madrid event are over, what a ride! The European and international QKD elite was united with a very nice representation of the entire value chain. We had numerous chats about KEEQuant’s plans and capabilities, and we are looking forward to the EuroQCI kickoff early next year.

Great to represent Quantum Communications and KEEQuant at such an exclusive event, hosted by La French Tech and the French Embassy at Berlin. Together with the Quantum Technologies team, we formulated key points for national and European politics to foster the field and drive European Sovereignty.

Thank you Johannes Verst and the whole Quantum Business Network (QBN) team for organizing the QBN Meeting on Quantum Communication in Nuremberg yesterday. We at KEEQuant are proud to host the event and showcase our technological capabilities and products.

Gerne haben wir mitgewirkt an der neuen Ausgabe des Magazins “vernetzt” von Bayern Innovativ. Das Interview mit Ulrich Eismann mit Fokus auf unsere Investmentstory gibt es ab Seite 38.

We are pleased to represent KEEQuant at the live talk on Quantum Key Distribution at the Optica Industry Summit. The leading annual event for leaders in Quantum will bring together over 30 world-class industry executives from quantum companies.

A huge thank you to customers and partners for visiting KEEQuant at it-sa 2022! We had plenty of good talks, and it has been a pleasure meeting everyone in person again.

And for all those who could not visit us in Nuremberg… our demo will be back in Fürth tomorrow. ;-)

It was great to see you at Bits & Pretzels in Munich.

We went to ECOC 2022 in Basel and observed how quantum and classical telecom domains move ever closer. Imran gave a talk entitled “Digital Signal Processing for CV-QKD” about the current state of the art, detailling on the major issues and pointing out dominant fields of future research and development.

KEEQuant hosted the DIVQSec – Deutscher Industrieverbund für Quantensicherheit‘s (German Industry Association for Quantum Security) very first on-premise meeting since ist inception. We enjoyed a great day with multiple talks and high quality face-to-face meetings in a relaxed atmosphere. And of course we did not forget to highlight the KEEQuant QKD and KMS products. We are looking forward to the next on-premise meeting!

We were present at the CODE meeting and took a lot of input back home to KEEQuant. A personal highlight was the exciting discussion about the QKD panel with participants from secunet Security Networks AG, Quantum Optics Jena GmbH, Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity, BWI GmbH, TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH – TÜViT (TÜV NORD GROUP) and Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).

KEEQuant at www.techdaysmunich.com in Muffathalle Munich. Ulrich Eismann gave a talk in the first session.

Four awesome days at LASER World of PHOTONICS are over. We enjoyed having YOU over at our booth to chat about scalable QKD and key management systems. See you again soon!

One year ago we moved into our home at GS28 in Fürth. Time to celebrate!

We are pretty sure these two electric field quadrature marginal distributions are Heisenberg limited…