What QTI SRL does

QTI S.r.l. is the first Italian quantum communications company, founded in October 2020 as a spin-off of CNR-INO (National Institute of Optics, National Research Council) in Florence. The company engineers, develops, and produces reconfigurable Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) architectures based on discrete-variable QKD operating in C-band and O-band configurations, layered with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) in hybrid architectures for crypto-agile, quantum-resistant communications over existing fiber-optic telecom infrastructure.

QTI's product portfolio spans a full QKD stack: the Quell-X family (Quell-X core, Quell-XC bundled with Telsy MusaX encryptors, and Quell-XR for research), the Ekate crypto-agile key management platform (integrating QKD and PQC with QRNG and SDN support in a 1U form factor), the QKME key management entity for standards-based interoperability, and the QSDN software-defined networking solution aligned with ETSI GS QKD 015. The technology claims include the first long-distance hybrid QKD-PQC link (Naples-Rome), the first inter-European quantum network spanning Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia (G20 Trieste 2021), high-dimensional QKD over deployed multicore fiber at 51.5 kbps over 52 km (published in Nature Communications), and an active €7 million quantum repeaters program with CNR.

QTI monetises through direct B2B enterprise sales of QKD hardware and integration services, augmented by distribution through its TIM Group ecosystem (Telsy holds a minority stake since July 2021; Sparkle and TIM Enterprise are deployment partners). The go-to-market targets governments and defense, telecom operators, critical infrastructure operators (energy, transport, financial), and academic/research institutions, with selling motion anchored on industry-conference presence (OFC, ECOC, MWC, Submarine Networks EMEA, SPIE Photonics West, Farnborough), Italian Trade Agency-supported international pavilions, and participation in EU programs such as EuroQCI, EQUO, and QUID. Pricing is project-based and negotiated, with no public list prices — consistent with bespoke deployment of QKD systems into existing telecom and defence networks.

Name

QTI SRL

Legal name

QTI S.r.l.

Website

https://qticompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

QTI SRL is the first Italian quantum communications company, founded in 2020 as a CNR-INO spin-off in Florence. It develops and industrialises Quantum Key Distribution systems, key management platforms, and hybrid QKD-PQC architectures for government, telecom operators, critical infrastructure, and research institutions across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quantum Key Distribution Systems

NAICS

Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Systems & Networks (HDAGAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Systems & Networks (HDAGAGAA)

Keywords

• Quantum key distribution
• Quantum cryptography
• Secure communications
• Post-quantum cryptography
• Network encryption hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Firenze

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Hardware Sales: QTI manufactures and sells industrial-grade QKD systems (Quell-X family), crypto-agile key management platforms (Ekate), key management entities (QKME), and SDN solutions (QSDN). Revenue is generated through the sale of proprietary quantum communications hardware and associated management software to government agencies, telecom operators, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure operators. Quell-XC bundles Telsy's encryptor hardware with QTI's QKD systems, suggesting a product-level partnership that expands the total addressable deal value.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

QTI SRL designs, develops, and manufactures Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) hardware systems and quantum-secure communication platforms. The company sells the Quell-X family of QKD devices (X, XC, XR variants), the Ekate crypto-agile key management platform, the QKME Key Management Entity, and the QSDN software-defined networking orchestration solution, primarily serving government, defense, telecom operator, and critical-infrastructure customers.

Product overview

QTI SRL is the first Italian quantum communications company developing and producing Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. The product portfolio is an integrated ecosystem providing solutions from point-to-point QKD to applications for complex multi-client networks. The core offering centers on the Quell-X family of QKD systems (Quell-X for standard use, Quell-XC for end-to-end encryption, and Quell-XR for research) complemented by key management solutions: Ekate provides crypto-agile key management combining QKD with Post-Quantum Cryptography, QKME enables secure key storage and deployment with multi-client interoperability, and QSDN delivers software-defined networking integration based on ETSI standards. This unified portfolio enables deployment across point-to-point links, trusted node configurations, and advanced network topologies including ring and star networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Quell-X: Complete QKD system composed of Alice and Bob units for generating quantum secured keys for ultra-secure data communications. Available in three versions: Quell-X (core product), Quell-XC (end-to-end encryption with Telsy encryptors), and Quell-XR (for academic and research activities).
• Ekate
• QKME
• QSDN

Products and services

• Quell-X Core Quantum Key Distribution hardware system in the Quell-X family, providing point-to-point quantum-secure key exchange for enterprise, government, defense, and telecom-operator networks.
• Quell-XC Variant of the Quell-X QKD system with integrated Telsy encryption, designed to deliver a turnkey quantum-secure encrypted link for operator and government deployments.
• Quell-XR Research-grade variant of the Quell-X QKD platform, targeted at universities, research consortia, and pilot quantum-network projects that need programmable quantum-secure links.
• Ekate Crypto-agile key management platform that orchestrates quantum and classical cryptographic keys, enabling customers to manage QKD-derived keys alongside post-quantum and classical keys in a unified layer.
• QKME Key Management Entity software that delivers the key-distribution and lifecycle-management functions required to integrate QTI's QKD links into customer encryption and network infrastructure.
• QSDN Software-Defined Networking solution that orchestrates quantum-secure communication services across QKD nodes, enabling operators and large enterprises to provision and manage quantum-protected network paths.

Quantifiable outcome

• 51.5 kbps secure key transmission over 52-km deployed multicore fiber, doubling the rate achievable with traditional qubit-based systems in the same infrastructure
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability1 record

Feature10 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CNR (National Research Council of Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025QTI and CNR were awarded a €7 million project (QuRe - Quantum Repeaters) to develop quantum repeaters that allow quantum keys to travel across national and continental backbones. QTI serves as technology partner responsible for design and supply of quantum hardware and management protocols, working with CNR-INO and researchers from the University of Florence.
• MEO (Portugal Telecom)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024MEO partnered with QTI and Telsy for a live trial of QKD-enabled quantum secure communications over combined terrestrial and submarine fiber optics in Lisbon's metropolitan area at the European Quantum Technology Conference (EQTC 2024). The trial used QTI's Quell-X devices to protect a live videoconference connecting Culturgest to a cable landing station in Sesimbra.
• SIOT-TAL (Transalpine Pipeline)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2022QTI, Telsy, and SIOT-TAL signed an MoU for the deployment of QKD systems for quantum security of the Transalpine Pipeline, which runs across Italy, Austria, and Germany. The pipeline manages oil supplies for several European countries, making it a critical infrastructure requiring quantum-resilient data security.
• Telsy S.p.A. (TIM Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2021Telsy, the cybersecurity and cryptography competence center of TIM Group, acquired a minority stake in QTI in July 2021, making QTI a 'Telsy participated company.' Telsy provides cybersecurity expertise and bundles QTI's Quell-X QKD systems with its TelsyMusaX encryption hardware in the Quell-XC product. QTI CEO Tommaso Occhipinti describes the partnership as creating integrated cryptographic solutions for telecommunications security. Telsy's 50 years of experience in cybersecurity and its specialization in defense and national security applications strengthen QTI's market positioning.
• TIM GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIM Group is QTI's parent corporate ecosystem. QTI is an institutional spin-off of CNR-INO within the TIM Group. TIM provides fiber-optic infrastructure for QTI's quantum communication networks, while TIM Enterprise deploys QTI's technology in quantum-secure network projects. TIM Group's anti-corruption policies and code of ethics apply to QTI governance.
• TIM EnterprisecoreTechnology or IntegrationTIM Enterprise partnered with QTI and Telsy on the Naples-Rome long-distance hybrid QKD-PQC quantum communication network. TIM Enterprise contributes fiber infrastructure and deployment capabilities for quantum-safe national backbones.
• CNR-INO (National Institute of Optics, National Research Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQTI was founded as a spin-off of CNR-INO in Florence in October 2020. CNR-INO researchers collaborate with QTI on quantum communications R&D, including quantum repeater development (€7M project). The CNR-INO Director (Francesco Saverio Cataliotti) serves on QTI's organizing committees.
• MedITech Competence CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedITech Competence Center developed the Naples-Rome long-distance quantum communication network in collaboration with the University of Naples Federico II, TIM Group, and Exprivia. MedITech emphasizes the market-ready nature of quantum communication and cryptography technologies.
• University of Naples Federico IImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with MedITech Competence Center and TIM Group on the Naples-Rome quantum communication network, contributing academic research expertise to the hybrid QKD-PQC deployment.
• ExpriviaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExprivia leads the industrialization of quantum-safe communication use cases in healthcare, energy, enterprise, and critical infrastructure sectors as part of the Naples-Rome quantum network project funded by PNRR Next Generation EU.
• Sparkle (TIM Group)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSparkle, TIM Group's international telecom operator, partnered with QTI and Telsy to implement a high-capacity QKD-secured link between two data centers in Athens, Greece. Sparkle provides the international fiber infrastructure.
• EuroQCI (European Quantum Communication Infrastructure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuroQCI is a pan-European initiative (all 27 EU member states signed the declaration) to build a quantum communication infrastructure combining terrestrial fiber and satellite segments. QTI participates as a technology partner in EQUO (industrialization) and QUID (Italian deployment) projects under EuroQCI. EuroQCI aims to be operational by 2027.
• EQUO Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EQUO project (EuroQCOs) designs, develops, and tests mature QKD nodes with TRL 8-9 using cutting-edge European technology, ready for integration in telecom networks for metro and long-distance scenarios. QTI's role is to prepare industrialization and deployment of EuroQCI while contributing to a sustainable European industrial QCI ecosystem including SMEs.
• QUID Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQUID (Quantum Italy Deployment) proposes to start the deployment of Quantum Communication Infrastructure in Italy, deploying QKD systems and networks in metropolitan area networks connected by fiber backbone. QUID integrates quantum key distribution with existing communications and fosters uptake from use cases, including interconnection with the space segment of the European QCI.
• University of TriesteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in the Quantum FVG project, contributing academic expertise to the first inter-European quantum network connecting Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia at the G20 Digital Ministers' Meeting in Trieste.
• Technical University of Denmark (DTU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTU collaborated with QTI on the Nature Communications publication on high-dimensional QKD over deployed multicore fiber, and on the inter-European quantum network demonstration. DTU is the institution where QTI CTO Davide Bacco previously worked.
• University of L'AquilaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of L'Aquila hosted the first demonstration of multidimensional quantum key distribution over deployed multicore fiber, achieving 51.5 kbps over 52 km. Collaboration was part of the INCIPICT project, with QTI researchers working alongside university faculty.
• University of FlorenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Florence is the academic home of QTI CTO Davide Bacco (Associate Professor). Researchers from the University collaborated on the high-dimensional QKD publication and are partners in the QuRe quantum repeater project.
• Italian Trade Agency (ITA/ICE)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerITA/ICE supports QTI's participation in international trade events by organizing national pavilions, including the Italian pavilion at SPIE Photonics West 2026 in San Francisco, enabling QTI to showcase quantum communications technology to an international audience.
• ESA (European Space Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA develops the satellite segment of EuroQCI and collaborates on quantum communications in space. QTI participates in workshops and initiatives involving ESA for ground-to-space quantum communication integration, recognizing space as a key segment for extending QKD reach.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• ID Quantique: Swiss-based QKD pioneer (now owned by SK Telecom) selling discrete-variable and continuous-variable QKD systems, quantum random number generators, and key management software. Most direct global comparable to QTI's Quell-X + Ekate + QKME stack, with the same telecom and government customer base.
• Toshiba Europe (Cambridge Research Lab): Operates the Toshiba Cambridge QKD network and supplies QKD systems to BT, HSBC, and other European customers. Closely comparable in product (QKD hardware + key management) and target buyer profile (telecom operators and financial institutions), competing head-to-head in EuroQCI tenders.
• ThinkQuantum: Italian-headquartered QKD systems and quantum-safe networking company. Competes directly with QTI in the Italian and broader European market, with similar product positioning around QKD hardware and quantum key management.
• LuxQuanta: Spanish QKD vendor (spin-off from ICFO) offering CV-QKD systems and integration services to telecom operators and governments. Closely comparable European QKD peer targeting the same EuroQCI customers and use cases as QTI.
• QuantumCTek: China's leading QKD systems provider, with the world's longest commercial QKD backbone (Beijing-Shanghai) and a full QKD + PQC product portfolio. Direct peer in product scope (QKD hardware, key management, networks) and a key global competitor in critical-infrastructure deployments.
• KETS Quantum Security: UK-based developer of chip-based QKD systems targeting telecom and enterprise customers. Comparable as a smaller European QKD hardware specialist competing in the same sovereign, defense, and telecom niches as QTI.
• Quantum Xchange: US-based provider of QKD-as-a-service and key management software (Phio TX), focused on financial services, government, and healthcare. Comparable product overlap in key management and crypto-agility (QKD + PQC), though geographically distinct.

Broad incumbents

• SK Telecom (Quantum Division): Korean telecom incumbent and owner of ID Quantique, operating QKD-secured 5G and international backbone trials. Compares to QTI as a telecom-led deployer of QKD, but at vastly larger scale and with a much broader portfolio beyond quantum.
• Thales: Global defense and digital identity giant with a substantial post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe communications portfolio. Comparable in addressing the same government/defense/critical-infrastructure buyer for crypto-agility, but as a broad incumbent rather than a QKD specialist.

Emerging players

• HEQA Security: Israel-based QKD startup commercializing QKD systems and quantum-safe networking products for telecom and government customers. Comparable early-stage QKD hardware peer with overlapping target segments and similar reliance on government/defense pilots.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about QTI SRL