Pure-play Quantum · VC Firm

QAI Ventures

Pure-play QuantumAI specialist running an accelerator + VC vehicle for pre-seed to Series A quantum, advanced computing and quantum-AI startups, with CHF 200k initial checks expandable to low seven figures and global Industry Cluster programs commercializing quantum across finance, life sciences and industrials.

Active Arlesheim, SwitzerlandFounded 2023

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.

  1. Small initial cheque (USD 200K convertible via accelerator, follow-on capped ~USD 2M): not a lead investor for Series A+ rounds
  2. Hyper-narrow thematic focus (Quantum, QuantumAI, Advanced Computing): pure software AI plays without a clear quantum or advanced computing angle are out of scope
  3. 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
  4. USD 50M debut fund (2023 vintage) and 23-person team across Basel/Calgary/Tokyo: limited reserves for breakout winners needing Series A/B leads
  5. 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

Full portfolio
SynthBitsBosonicQuantaSenseQubicMultiverse ComputingKvantify

Frequent co-investors