Sparrow Quantum
Sparrow Quantum is a Danish deep-technology company that develops and sells deterministic single-photon source chips (Sparrow Core) and integrated rack-mounted single-photon systems (Sparrow Nest) to photonic quantum computer manufacturers, quantum research institutions, and full-stack quantum system builders across Europe and globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersCopenhagen, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sparrow Quantum does
Sparrow Quantum ApS is a Danish privately-held deep-technology company headquartered in Frederiksberg (Copenhagen), founded in 2015 as a spin-out of Professor Peter Lodahl's quantum photonics group at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen. The company commercializes more than 25 years of foundational research into deterministic single-photon sources, built around indium arsenide/gallium arsenide quantum dot structures embedded in photonic crystal waveguides and fabricated on silicon nitride wafers using classical semiconductor manufacturing techniques. Its product portfolio consists of two hardware offerings: Sparrow Core, a 3x3 mm on-chip deterministic single-photon source emitting at 920-980 nm wavelengths, and Sparrow Nest, a fully integrated rack-mounted plug-and-play single-photon generation system launched in November 2025. Sparrow sells primarily to European quantum computer integrators, full-stack photonic quantum system builders, national supercomputing centers, and quantum research institutions, with hardware delivered globally.
Sparrow generates revenue through direct quote-based hardware sales with a 40/60 payment structure (40% on order confirmation, 60% on installation) and typical 4-6 month delivery timelines, supplemented by R&D funding from government grants (Innovation Fund Denmark, EIC) and collaborative European consortium projects (P4Q, SupremeQ, QTRAIN, FTQP, DeQD, NoQTeS). The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales targeting photonic quantum computer manufacturers with consortium-led engagement and a self-serve website quote mechanism. Named partners and customers include ORCA Computing (UK), Pixel Photonics (Germany), Quix Quantum, the University of Copenhagen, DTU, and the Danish Quantum Communication Infrastructure.
The company has raised approximately €49 million-plus across a 2023 seed round and two 2025 Series A tranches, with institutional investors including PensionDanmark, EIFO, Novo Holdings, 2xN, LIFTT, North Ventures, Scale Capital, and the European Investment Bank. Headcount has scaled to more than 50 employees. Leadership comprises CEO Kurt Stokbro, Founder and Chief Quantum Officer Peter Lodahl, Chief Commercial Officer Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard (joined May 2026), and Chairman Niels Christian Nielsen. The company was selected as a 2026 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and leads the €50M P4Q European photonic quantum pilot line project covering 29 partners.
Sparrow Quantum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sparrow Quantum
- Legal name
- Sparrow Quantum ApS
- Website
- https://sparrowquantum.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sparrow Quantum is a Danish deep-technology company that develops and sells deterministic single-photon source chips (Sparrow Core) and integrated rack-mounted single-photon systems (Sparrow Nest) to photonic quantum computer manufacturers, quantum research institutions, and full-stack quantum system builders across Europe and globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sparrow Quantum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Quantum Photonics Hardware
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)
- SIC
- Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Photonic (Optical) QPU Systems (HDAGAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Quantum Tech Commercialization, IP, Tech Transfer & Venture Research (HDAGAMAN), Quantum Transceivers, Modems & Photonic Interfaces (HDAGAFAE), Quantum Sensor Components & Subsystems (Lasers, Vacuum, Photonics, Diamond/NV, MEMS) (HDAGAHAM)
Keywords
Where Sparrow Quantum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Copenhagen
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Sparrow Quantum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Photonic Quantum Chips: Sale of Sparrow Core chips - the core deterministic single-photon source component. Revenue from component sales to quantum technology companies building quantum computers and systems.
- Integrated Quantum Systems: Sale of Sparrow Nest - the fully integrated rack-mounted single photon emitter product. Higher-value integrated system for quantum computing centers and research environments.
- R&D and Custom Development: Research partnerships and custom development projects funded by government grants (Innovation Fund Denmark, EIC) and collaborative Eurostars projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Custom Quote-Based Pricing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Sparrow Core |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Sparrow Nest |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Sparrow Quantum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sparrow Quantum develops and commercializes photonic quantum chip technology, specifically deterministic single-photon sources based on quantum dots. Its flagship Sparrow Core is an on-chip single-photon source microchip made from indium arsenide/gallium arsenide quantum dot structures embedded in photonic crystal waveguides. The Sparrow Nest product is a fully integrated, rack-mounted single-photon emission system built around the Sparrow Core chip, providing plug-and-play deployment for quantum computing, secure communication, and quantum research environments.
Product overview
Sparrow Quantum offers a focused portfolio of photonic quantum chip products centered on deterministic single-photon source technology. The core offering consists of two products: Sparrow Core (an on-chip single-photon source microchip) and Sparrow Nest (a fully integrated, rack-mounted system incorporating Sparrow Core). Both products address the fundamental need for reliable, on-demand single photon generation essential for photonic quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing applications. The company specializes in turning quantum physics research from the Niels Bohr Institute into market-ready quantum hardware components.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sparrow Core: On-chip deterministic single-photon source - the core technology delivering world-class performance in photon purity, indistinguishability, and efficiency. The 3x3mm chip is made from indium arsenide/gallium arsenide quantum dot structures embedded in photonic crystal waveguides.
- Sparrow Nest
Products and services
- Sparrow Core On-chip deterministic single-photon source microchip (3x3 mm) made from indium arsenide/gallium arsenide quantum dot structures embedded in photonic crystal waveguides, engineered to emit highly coherent single photons on demand at wavelengths between 920-980 nm. Sold to quantum computer integrators and full-stack photonic quantum system providers.
- Sparrow Nest Fully integrated, rack-mounted single-photon emitter system built around the Sparrow Core chip, delivering plug-and-play on-demand single photons in a compact format ready for standard rack installation. Designed for quantum computing centers, secure communication networks, and quantum research facilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Best-in-class efficiency, quality, and stability for single-photon sources
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sparrow Quantum
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sparrow Quantum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Sparrow Quantum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- P4Q (Photonics for Quantum) Consortiumcore29-partner European pilot line project. Sparrow leads 'Quantum Computing Using Photons' pillar. €50M funding (€25M EU, €25M national governments). Focus on standards and production techniques for quantum chips.
- QTRAIN ConsortiummajorEUREKA-backed initiative developing first commercially available quantum transceiver. Partners: Single Quantum, Refined Laser Systems, Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Sparrow provides deterministic single-photon sources.
- DeQD ConsortiumminorDeterministic Quantum Dots for Quantum Photonics. Partners: DFM, Sparrow Quantum, Niels Bohr Institute, ICN2. DKK 12.3M Innovation Fund investment. Develops next-generation quantum light sources.
- NoQTeS ConsortiumminorEU-supported project across 12 partners in 9 countries. Develops standardized techniques for NV-based quantum sensors. Sparrow contributes characterization expertise.
- FTQP ConsortiummajorFault-Tolerant Quantum Photonics project. Partners: DIKU, NBI, Sparrow Quantum. DKK 16.2M Innovation Fund Denmark investment over 5 years. Develops fault-tolerant computing architectures around deterministic single-photon emitters.
- ORCA ComputingcoreCollaboration in SupremeQ Eurostars project. UK-based full-stack photonic quantum computing company. Joint development of photonic quantum computing technologies combining Sparrow's single-photon sources with ORCA's system architecture.
- Pixel PhotonicscoreSupremeQ Eurostars project partner. German deep-tech startup developing superconducting nanowire single photon detectors on chip waveguides.
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of CopenhagencoreSpin-out origin. 25+ years of foundational research partnership. Continuous collaboration on quantum photonics research and development.
- Danish Quantum Communication Infrastructure (QCI)minorCollaboration on quantum-secure network between Danish ministries. 4 Danish universities and 4 ministries working on quantum-encrypted communication.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Sparrow Quantum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Quandela: French photonic quantum company developing deterministic single-photon sources based on semiconductor quantum dots and full-stack photonic quantum computers. Closest direct competitor to Sparrow Core with similar quantum-dot source technology.
- ORCA Computing: UK-based full-stack photonic quantum computing company that is both a Sparrow partner (SupremeQ Eurostars) and a potential customer for Sparrow Core single-photon sources in its PT-1 photonic quantum systems.
- PsiQuantum: US/UK photonic quantum computing company pursuing fault-tolerant quantum computers using single photons — a primary customer candidate for Sparrow's deterministic sources and a benchmark for photonic QPU architecture.
- Xanadu Quantum Technologies: Canadian photonic quantum computing company building squeezed-light-based quantum computers; a customer/competitor reference point for photonic QPU systems that consume single-photon sources.
- Quix Quantum: Netherlands-based photonic quantum computing startup and Sparrow partner; directly comparable as another European photonic QPU builder integrating deterministic single-photon sources into full-stack systems.
Emerging players
- Pixel Photonics: German deep-tech startup developing superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors; co-development partner in SupremeQ. Comparable European quantum-photonics hardware company in the adjacent detector side of the stack.
- ID Quantique: Swiss leader in quantum-safe communication and QKD systems using single-photon sources; comparable as a quantum-photonics hardware company targeting secure communication end markets where Sparrow is also expanding.
Broad incumbents
- Toshiba Quantum Technology: Toshiba's Cambridge Research Lab develops quantum key distribution and single-photon source technologies; a broad incumbent in the quantum communication space overlapping with Sparrow's QTRAIN and QCI initiatives.
- Quantinuum: US/UK trapped-ion quantum computing leader pursuing fault-tolerant quantum systems; broader incumbent across quantum hardware with overlapping consortium board members (Niels Nielsen).
Others
- Quantum Internet Alliance: European consortium building a quantum internet infrastructure; relevant as an enabling ecosystem in which Sparrow supplies single-photon source components for quantum networking pilots and standards.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sparrow Quantum social profiles
Digital presenceSparrow Quantum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sparrow Quantum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Sparrow Quantum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sparrow Quantum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sparrow Quantum
What does Sparrow Quantum do?
Sparrow Quantum develops and commercializes photonic quantum chip technology, specifically deterministic single-photon sources based on quantum dots. Its flagship Sparrow Core is an on-chip single-photon source microchip made from indium arsenide/gallium arsenide quantum dot structures embedded in photonic crystal waveguides. The Sparrow Nest product is a fully integrated, rack-mounted single-photon emission system built around the Sparrow Core chip, providing plug-and-play deployment for quantum computing, secure communication, and quantum research environments.
Is Sparrow Quantum a public or private company?
Sparrow Quantum is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sparrow Quantum founded?
Sparrow Quantum was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sparrow Quantum based?
Sparrow Quantum is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Sparrow Quantum make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Photonic Quantum Chips are the primary driver. The others are integrated Quantum Systems and R&D and Custom Development.
Who are Sparrow Quantum's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Quandela, ORCA Computing, PsiQuantum, Xanadu Quantum Technologies and Quix Quantum. Emerging players are Pixel Photonics and ID Quantique. Broad incumbents are Toshiba Quantum Technology and Quantinuum. Quantum Internet Alliance is listed as an others.
Does Sparrow Quantum have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sparrow Quantum.
What industry is Sparrow Quantum in?
Sparrow Quantum's product category is Quantum Photonics Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGAAAD, Photonic (Optical) QPU Systems, with a secondary code of HDAGAMAN, Quantum Tech Commercialization, IP, Tech Transfer & Venture Research. Its NAICS code is 334413 and its SIC code is 3674.