Femtum lands C$1.95M from Canadian government to scale quantum laser tech

What's the deal? Femtum, a Quebec-based maker of laser solutions for photonic chips, has secured a C$1,950,000 repayable contribution from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The debt funding will support the company's international growth.

What does Femtum do? Founded in 2017, the company specialises in laser technology for manufacturers of photonic chips, including quantum photonic chips. Its technology is designed to improve the carbon footprint of advanced manufacturing for quantum and conventional semiconductors.

What's the money for? The funding will let Femtum increase production capacity by fitting out new manufacturing laboratories, accelerate commercialisation of its products, and create more than 20 new jobs in the photonics and quantum sectors.

Why now? The contribution comes through CED's Support for Regional Quantum Innovation initiative, part of Canada's National Quantum Strategy. That initiative has a C$23.3 million budget for strategic investments through 2028.

In their words: "The expertise is local, but the market is global," said Louis-Rafaël Robichaud, co-founder and president of Femtum. He added that the funding lets Femtum "accelerate the integration of its solutions into global supply chains."

The signal: Ottawa is channelling public money into homegrown quantum startups to consolidate Canada's position in an emerging field. Backing companies like Femtum reflects a bet that a strong photonics base can translate into industrial-scale quantum leadership.

Read more: Canada Newswire

Image credit: IBM Research