In the fast-moving world of quantum technology, a new venture capital initiative is generating real excitement. The quantum industry is no longer just early-stage science projects; it is moving closer to commercial reality. Yet even with huge potential in computing, sensing, and secure communications, founders and investors have identified a major hurdle. Startups working on breakthrough quantum tech are increasingly struggling to secure the critical Series A and B funding that bridges early experimentation and scale-up growth. This week, a fresh venture fund has stepped forward to confront this issue directly and provide a lifeline for promising innovators.
The fund, named Firgun Ventures and led by seasoned investors Dr. Kris Naudts and Zeynep Korutürk, has been quietly yet strategically formed to tackle what many now see as one of the biggest bottlenecks in the quantum startup journey. With the quantum industry maturing rapidly and more companies reaching the point where they need substantial capital to transition from prototype to commercial deployment, investors and founders alike view this initiative as timely and transformative.
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Addressing the Funding Gap
Quantum technology has come a long way in a short period, evolving from obscure research labs to attracting billions in global funding. Governments across the United States, Europe, and Asia are pumping significant resources into basic research. But even as academic exploration thrives, many founders find themselves stuck at a critical junction. Seed and pre-seed capital are relatively easy to secure as business angels and small venture funds eagerly back early ideas. Once a startup shows promise and needs larger capital to hire engineers, expand manufacturing capabilities, and attract enterprise customers, the picture changes sharply.
That change in funding dynamics is known in the venture world as the “Series A bottleneck.” Without investors ready to take the first lead in Series A or Series B rounds, young companies often face stalling growth or dilution with unfavourable terms. Firgun Ventures is specifically built to lead these rounds, bringing not just money but commercial strategy and scaling expertise to its portfolio companies. Founders Naudts and Korutürk believe the bottleneck is not just about capital scarcity but about matching the right kind of capital to the demands of deep-tech businesses, where timelines are longer, and risks are different from consumer-tech startups.
Diverse Backgrounds and a Global Vision
One striking aspect of Firgun Ventures is the complementary experience of its leaders. Korutürk came to the quantum space from global finance, having built technology investment strategies at top financial firms. Her early exposure to deep tech investments gave her insights into the quantum ecosystem when there were only a couple of dozen startups worldwide. She even made personal investments in early quantum software companies that went on to become significant players in the landscape.
Dr. Kris Naudts brings a very different perspective, shaped by medical and neuroscience training and hands-on startup experience. After overcoming a serious misdiagnosis that redirected his career path, he renewed his interest in advanced computing and joined early quantum investment work that ultimately connected him with Korutürk. Their shared vision now focuses on helping founders with the tools they need to navigate the tricky transition from science to market.
Although Firgun Ventures is based in Europe, its mandate is global. The founders see opportunities to support quantum innovators around the world, not just within traditional technology hubs. They point out that the United Kingdom has become a strong centre for quantum startups with a dense academic ecosystem, particularly around the Oxford-Cambridge-London “Golden Triangle.” Nevertheless, they expect many of their investments to lie outside the UK, driven by where the best technologies and teams emerge.
Beyond Capital: Building Commercial Readiness
The fund’s ambitions extend beyond simply writing cheques. Firgun’s leadership emphasises that a common weakness among quantum startups is not a lack of technical talent but a lack of commercial and operational depth. Founders typically come from academic or research backgrounds and often lack experience in sales, marketing, regulatory navigation, and investor communication. Firgun Ventures plans to partner closely with portfolio companies to build these capabilities, helping early quantum businesses tell a compelling story to future investors and customers alike.
This focus on commercial readiness reflects a broader trend across deep tech investing. In many fields, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology, success hinges not just on breakthrough science but on execution. Quantum technology analysts say that the first wave of commercially viable quantum products will likely come from specialised applications like material science simulation, advanced cybersecurity solutions, or quantum-enhanced sensing rather than from general-purpose quantum computing. By preparing startups for business realities early, Firgun hopes to increase the chances of success and shorten the time to meaningful revenue.
Industry insiders also note that the quantum world is not short of technical expertise. Universities and labs continue to produce talented physicists and engineers, but experienced commercial executives who understand both deep tech and market dynamics remain rare. Filling this talent gap is part of Firgun’s broader strategy to accelerate the maturity of the ecosystem.
Looking Ahead for Quantum Startups and Investors
The launch of a venture fund dedicated to warming the Series A funding pipeline in quantum technology is a significant signal to founders and investors alike. It suggests that deep tech investment, at least in quantum, is evolving from early optimism to serious commercial focus. This shift finds resonance across the broader tech landscape, where capital patterns show that later-stage deep tech ventures are starting to attract investor confidence. For example, various quantum companies around the world have successfully closed Series A rounds in recent months, raising tens of millions to advance hardware and software innovation.
But challenges remain. Even as individual startups secure funding, the broader industry still needs a strong network of investors willing to commit substantial capital and expertise. According to recent market data, the quantum venture funding mix is still skewed toward very early-stage financing, leaving a relative gap in the mid-stage growth rounds. This trend is now reshaping investor conversations and strategies.
For founders, the emergence of Firgun Ventures offers a potential new pathway. If the fund can demonstrate success in helping quantum startups scale, recruit commercial talent, and reach revenue milestones, it could inspire more specialised capital to enter the space. More importantly, it could help shift perceptions of quantum technology from a long-term dream to a practical commercial reality within the next decade.
In the coming months and years, all eyes will be on where Firgun deploys capital, the kinds of startups it supports, and how these companies perform in real markets. With global competition for quantum leadership intensifying, investors and governments alike are watching closely. As the industry evolves, bridging the funding gap may prove just as crucial as solving technical barriers to make quantum technologies part of everyday life.
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