What Germanium Quantum Detectors (GeQD) does

Germanium Quantum Detectors (GeQD) is a private deep-tech spin-off from Universität Stuttgart's Institut für Halbleitertechnik, founded in 2026 by four researchers — Maurice Wanitzek, Dr. Maximilian Scheu, Jakob Finkbeiner, and Claudia Bett. The company is developing germanium-on-silicon (Ge-on-Si) Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) detectors targeting single-photon sensitivity across the ~600–1550 nm wavelength range — a band that incumbent silicon SPADs cannot reach and that InGaAs/InP SPADs and SNSPDs serve only at high cost or with cryogenic infrastructure. Target end markets are quantum communication (QKD), automotive LiDAR, quantum sensing, SWIR industrial imaging, and robotics/automation, with medical imaging listed as a future vertical.

The core technology is a Ge-on-Si SPAD platform in which an epitaxial germanium absorber layer captures visible-to-SWIR photons and converts them into electron-hole pairs, with avalanche multiplication occurring in a silicon layer on a CMOS-compatible substrate. The platform is engineered for room-temperature operation, removing cryogenic cooling from the system stack, and is designed for foundry compatibility with established silicon CMOS flows and co-integration with CMOS readout electronics. Two product variants are in development: GeQD LabOne, a 4-channel fiber-coupled SWIR SPAD module for quantum research and QKD testbeds; and VisionOne, a SPAD array platform targeting 1550 nm eye-safe automotive LiDAR. Both are at TRL 4 today, with a stated roadmap to TRL 5 by 2027/2028; room-temperature performance at targeted specs has not yet been demonstrated.

GeQD's intended revenue model is anchored on hardware sales of detector modules and arrays, with potential secondary streams from technology licensing to semiconductor manufacturers and professional services tied to pilot evaluations. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales and event-driven — founders engage QKD system integrators, LiDAR Tier-1 suppliers, research institutions, and machine builders via pilot discussions, targeted email outreach, and active participation in quantum/photonics conferences (European Quantum PhD Days, Viva Tech, NXTGN Applied Deep Tech Fest). The company secured pre-seed funding through the German government's EXIST Forschungstransfer Phase I program (funded by BMWK and ESF Plus), has no disclosed commercial revenue, and operates at the pre-revenue development stage with no commercial product shipments to date.

Name

Germanium Quantum Detectors (GeQD)

Legal name

Germanium Quantum Detectors (GeQD)

Website

https://geqd.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2026

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GeQD is a University of Stuttgart spin-off developing CMOS-compatible germanium-on-silicon single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detectors for visible-to-SWIR wavelengths (~600–1550 nm), serving quantum communication, automotive LiDAR, and industrial sensing markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Single-Photon Detectors

NAICS

Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (3344), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Photodiodes & Discrete Photodetectors (HDAHAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM), Quantum Photonics & Quantum Imaging (Single-Photon, Lidar, Ghost Imaging) (HDAGAHAF), Quantum Sensor Components & Subsystems (Lasers, Vacuum, Photonics, Diamond/NV, MEMS) (HDAGAHAM)

Keywords

• Single-photon detectors
• Germanium SPAD technology
• Quantum photonics sensors
• SWIR imaging detectors
• CMOS-compatible photodetectors

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Detector Modules and Arrays: GeQD is developing detector modules and arrays for quantum, sensing, and photonic test applications. Revenue will be generated from sales of Ge-on-Si SPAD detector products including LabOne (4-channel SWIR SPAD module) and VisionOne (SPAD array platform for LiDAR).
2. Technology Licensing: Potential licensing of the Ge-on-Si SPAD technology platform to semiconductor manufacturers and detector integrators for broader market deployment.
3. Pilot Evaluation and Professional Services: Engagement with industry partners for detector pilot evaluations and technical roadmap discussions, potentially including custom development services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GeQD develops a germanium-on-silicon (Ge-on-Si) Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) platform that targets visible-to-SWIR single-photon detection (~600-1550 nm) with room-temperature operation and CMOS-compatible scalability. From this core platform the company is building detector modules and arrays for quantum communication, LiDAR, SWIR imaging, quantum sensing, and photonic test systems, with two application-specific products: the GeQD LabOne 4-channel SWIR SPAD module and the VisionOne SPAD array platform.

Product overview

GeQD offers a germanium-on-silicon SPAD platform as its core technology, combining SWIR photon absorption (~600–1550 nm) with CMOS-compatible semiconductor manufacturing. The platform serves as the foundation for two application-specific detector products: GeQD LabOne, a 4-channel fiber-coupled module targeting quantum experiments and QKD; and VisionOne, a SPAD array platform for LiDAR and 3D sensing. Both products leverage the same Ge-on-Si technology to provide room-temperature single-photon detection at telecom wavelengths.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GeQD LabOne: A compact single-photon detection module for quantum research and industrial prototyping. 4-channel SWIR SPAD module, fiber-coupled, targeting room-temperature operation.
• VisionOne

Products and services

• Ge-on-Si SPAD Platform Germanium-on-silicon Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) platform enabling visible-to-SWIR single-photon detection (~600-1550 nm) with room-temperature operation target and CMOS-compatible scalability, for quantum photonics, LiDAR, and imaging applications.
• GeQD LabOne 4-channel SWIR SPAD module for quantum research, QKD testbeds, and TCSPC experiments; fiber-coupled, plug-and-play detector module targeting room-temperature operation at telecom-band (1310/1550 nm).
• VisionOne Scalable SPAD array platform prototype for automotive LiDAR and industrial 3D sensing applications; targets high SWIR sensitivity at 1550 nm with Ge-on-Si technology, eye-safe operation, and scalability toward large-format detector arrays.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50-100× lower production costs than existing SWIR single-photon detector technologies
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NXTGNminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2026GeQD participated in NXTGN's Applied Deep Tech Fest at Arena 2036 in Stuttgart, presenting advantages of germanium-based SPAD technology. The event facilitated exchange with researchers, industry partners, and investors.
• Universität Stuttgart - Institut für HalbleitertechnikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeQD is a spin-off from the Institute for Semiconductor Engineering (IHT) at Universität Stuttgart. The company originated from research conducted at this institution, with founders combining deep semiconductor expertise rooted at the university.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Aeva Technologies: Silicon-photonics LiDAR company using 1550 nm FMCW for automotive and industrial sensing. Customer/competitor adjacency for GeQD's VisionOne: a potential Tier-1 buyer of SWIR single-photon detectors, and a benchmark for SWIR LiDAR system economics.
• Voyant Photonics: NYC-based startup building chip-scale LiDAR using silicon photonics. Comparable deep-tech stage and capital profile to GeQD, and a potential downstream customer for SWIR single-photon arrays in next-generation 3D sensing.
• Swabian Instruments: Stuttgart-based provider of TCSPC and photon-counting instrumentation used by quantum optics labs. Adjacent peer serving the same QKD and quantum sensing research customer base that GeQD's LabOne targets.

Broad incumbents

• onsemi (ON Semiconductor): Supplies Si SPAD arrays for automotive LiDAR and industrial depth sensing through its silicon photomultiplier and dToF product lines. Direct competitor in the automotive LiDAR detector market that GeQD's VisionOne targets.
• STMicroelectronics: Major automotive-grade SPAD sensor supplier (FlightSense, VL53L series) with deep foundry integration. Competes with GeQD in automotive and industrial 3D sensing, with much greater scale and customer reach.
• Sony Semiconductor Solutions: Producer of CMOS SPAD sensors (IMX series) for depth sensing and LiDAR, and active in stacked BSI SPAD research at SWIR wavelengths. Represents the kind of large incumbent GeQD would compete with — or license to — at scale.
• Excelitas Technologies: Large North American photonics components supplier offering Si SPADs, InGaAs APDs, and hybrid detector modules. Comparable to GeQD's product mix across industrial, scientific, and defense sensing customers.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Japanese incumbent dominating Si SPADs, InGaAs APDs, and photomultiplier modules across scientific, industrial, and quantum markets. Sets the benchmark for performance, reliability, and pricing that GeQD must meet or undercut.

Direct peers

• ID Quantique: Swiss leader in single-photon detection (SNSPDs and InGaAs SPADs) for QKD and quantum optics. Most direct competitor to GeQD in quantum-photonics detector modules, with a much more mature product line and global customer base.
• Single Quantum: Netherlands-based spin-out producing SNSPD systems for quantum communication and research. Competes head-to-head with GeQD's LabOne in the QKD and single-photon counting market, but is locked into cryogenic operation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/geqd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Germanium Quantum Detectors (GeQD)