Generalist · VC Firm

Speedinvest

Opportunistic but structured deep-tech exposure via the Speedinvest Deep Tech vertical (led by Will Wells since Aug 2025), with two quantum bets: QphoX (quantum interconnect / modem, Delft) and planqc (neutral-atom hardware, Munich).

Active Vienna, AustriaFounded 2011

Investment thesis

Speedinvest is a Vienna-based multi-sector European early-stage VC founded 2011, with ~€1.4B AUM across multiple sector funds (fintech, deep tech, SaaS, marketplaces, climate, health; an MEA fund launched 2026). Invests pre-seed to Series A. Cheques €500k-€3M. 300+ portfolio companies.

Quantum bets: QphoX (Delft spin-out, microwave-to-optical transduction for quantum networking, co-backed with QDNL Participations and HTGF) and planqc (Munich neutral-atom hardware; co-led the 2022 seed with UVC Partners, existing investor in the €50M Series A 2024). Historic third bet: KETS Quantum Security (QKD, co-led 2021 with Quantonation; no longer listed in the portfolio).

Value-add: pan-European deep-tech network; Austrian and German DACH corporate relationships; cross-border co-investor for Series A syndicates.

Not a quantum specialist: two bets within the broader Deep Tech sector fund (led by Will Wells since August 2025). Strong as a European co-investor on quantum networking and neutral-atom plays.

Anti-thesis

The patterns that trigger a fast no with this fund.

  1. Quantum is a small allocation inside a generalist seed platform: since 2022 no new quantum-native company has entered the portfolio (2024 activity = follow-ons in QphoX and planqc)
  2. The 2025 Deep Tech leadership reset under Will Wells publicly emphasizes foundational AI, energy, defence, robotics, space and compute; quantum is not named
  3. Seed-stage mandate with €200k-3M initial checks does not match the €10M+ seed rounds quantum hardware now commands without a syndicate
  4. Multiple vertical teams (Deep Tech, SaaS & Infra, Fintech, Climate & Industrial, Health & Bio, Marketplaces, MEA) compete for capital; the Deep Tech bucket also covers AI, defence, robotics, space and materials
  5. Public bet pattern favors enabling-layer and networking plays (QphoX transduction) over capital-intensive full-stack qubit fabrication

Notable quantum portfolio

Full portfolio
QphoXplanqc

Frequent co-investors