Pure-play Quantum · VC Firm · Active
QAI Ventures
QAI Ventures is a Basel-based quantum-and-AI ecosystem builder and VC, co-founded by CEO Alexandra Beckstein and Thomas Landis.
Investment thesis
QAI Ventures is a Basel-based quantum-and-AI ecosystem builder and VC, co-founded by CEO Alexandra Beckstein and Thomas Landis. The USD 50M early-stage fund (2023 vintage, top-decile per firm disclosures) invests from pre-seed to Series C, with CHF 100k-200k accelerator cheques and larger follow-on capacity. Offices in Basel, Calgary, Tokyo and Singapore.
Portfolio focuses on quantum software, sensing and applied quantum-AI: Kvantify (Danish quantum chemistry), Kipu Quantum (German superconducting + digital-analog), Miraex (Swiss photonic sensors), Anaqor (quantum software platform), Quantized Technologies, DryLabz. Dual-continent accelerator footprint — Basel (partnered with the QuantumBasel corporate ecosystem) and Calgary (2024, partnered with University of Calgary's Quantum City, backed by Alberta OCIF with CA$675k) — gives founders structured market access on both sides of the Atlantic.
Value-add is operational: tailored 5-month accelerator programs, compute infrastructure, corporate pilots via the firm's industry-cluster program (partnered with SoftBank / HorizonX in Singapore, QCentroid for industrial PoCs), plus hackathons and corporate matchmaking.
Differentiated as the only quantum-specialist VC operating a dual-continent Europe-North America accelerator bridge with integrated corporate-demand generation alongside capital. Particularly strong for applied quantum-AI in finance, life sciences, industrials and telecom.
Anti-thesis
The patterns that trigger a fast no with this fund.
- Small initial cheque (USD 200K convertible via accelerator, follow-on capped ~USD 2M): not a lead investor for Series A+ rounds
- Hyper-narrow thematic focus (Quantum, QuantumAI, Advanced Computing): pure software AI plays without a clear quantum or advanced computing angle are out of scope
- Hardware partner stack at QuantumBasel is IonQ-led (Forte Enterprise on-site since Dec 2024), D-Wave and IBM via cloud only: no on-prem IBM System One in Arlesheim, founders overstating that narrative get filtered
- USD 50M debut fund (2023 vintage) and 23-person team across Basel/Calgary/Tokyo: limited reserves for breakout winners needing Series A/B leads
- Very young (founded 2023, Batch III in 2025): portfolio maturity and exit track record unproven, so growth-stage founders should not expect a lead
Notable quantum portfolio
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