SETT for life: Nu Quantum to reign in Spain with new subsidiary

The new facility will create more than 30 new jobs. It will be a leading new centre for quantum networking and photonic infrastructure for Distributed Quantum Computing. The additional 30 roles will increase the Nu Quantum team size to close to 100 across its facilities in Cambridge, Los Angeles and Spain.

The deal represents a few million quid pro quo for a Spanish investment of €9.75 million in the company's €51 million Series A round near the end of last year.

The investment was made by The Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration, through the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT), and on behalf of the Spanish Government.

This strategic initiative positions Spain at the forefront of one of the key areas of quantum computing: the interconnection of quantum computers through secure and scalable networks, an essential step for this technology to achieve real-world commercial applications.

Nu Quantum is developing an advanced quantum network architecture capable of connecting multiple quantum computers in real time, significantly increasing their combined processing capacity. This approach overcomes one of the sector's main challenges for the industrial adoption of quantum computing: scalability.

This technology will deliver the compute power to address highly complex problems in areas such as drug discovery, energy optimisation, advanced materials modeling, and communications security, unlocking the economic value of quantum computing.

This collaboration is part of the public-private model promoted by SETT, whose mission is to accelerate Spain's technological transformation through strategic investments in disruptive technologies.

Nu Quantum’s subsidiary will focus on industrialisation of the Quantum Networking Unit (QNU) and the development of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), essential for creating ultrafast, low-loss switching and sensing modules that will enable the scaling of quantum computing to a commercial level.

SETT will maximise the economic and industrial impact of the project through integration with Spain’s quantum and photonic ecosystem, and alignment with the National Strategy for Quantum Technologies.

Nu Quantum was founded in 2018 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge that is transforming the future of quantum computing through its Entanglement Fabric™ technology, designed to interconnect quantum processors and create large-scale distributed quantum networks.

In December 2025, Nu Quantum closed a $60 million Series A funding round, the largest ever raised by a company focused exclusively on quantum networks and the largest Series A in the UK quantum sector to date, with participation from global investors such as National Grid Partners, Gresham House Ventures, Morpheus Ventures, Amadeus Capital Partners, IQ Capital, Ahren Capital, Sumitomo (Presidio Ventures), Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, NSSIF, East Innovate and SETT.

The founder and CEO, Spanish quantum physicist Dr. Carmen Palacios-Berraquero, leads the company with a clear vision: to accelerate the path toward practical and scalable quantum computing through interoperable, market-ready quantum network infrastructures. Her scientific leadership, combined with sustained international growth and a multidisciplinary team, positions Nu Quantum as a key player in the global quantum industry.

She said: “When we founded Nu Quantum, it was clear from the beginning that quantum networks and integrated photonics would be essential to solving one of the industry's greatest challenges. Since then, we have made extraordinary progress in shaping both the market and the underlying technologies. This investment from the Government of Spain validates our vision and recognises the maturity of our solution.

“Being born and raised in Spain, it is especially meaningful to contribute to a national commitment to quantum infrastructure built on PICs and the QNU—areas where Spain has exceptional potential. I am deeply grateful to our team for their talent and relentless drive, and to our investors for their continued support.”

With this investment, Spain reinforces its position as a leading player in quantum computing networks, fully aligned with the objectives of the PERTE Chip and the National Strategy for Quantum Technologies. The project will also contribute to strengthening European technological sovereignty in an area critical for future competitiveness.

The initiative will have a direct impact on employment, creating more than 30 highly skilled jobs, and will act as a magnet for talent and international investment.

Óscar López Águeda, Minister for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, Government of Spain, said: “There will come a day when quantum technologies are part of everyday conversation. And Spain is preparing for that moment – we are deploying the infrastructure needed for their development and scalability. Nu Quantum will play a key role, enabling Spain’s quantum ecosystem to rely on secure networks that pave the way for the leap toward commercial applications.”

This investment is part of the PERTE Chip, which aims to strengthen the design and production capabilities of the microelectronics and semiconductor industry in Spain.

The implementation of the PERTE Chip fund, provided for by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Next Generation Funds - European Union), is among the functions of SETT, which also manages two other financial instruments: Next Tech, dedicated to disruptive technologies; and Spain Audiovisual Hub, which promotes the digitalisation of the Audiovisual sector.