Announcing the Winners of the 2025 Quantum Startup Pitch Competition
The energy was electric at Quantum World Congress 2025 as seven pioneering startups took the stage for the third annual Quantum Startup Pitch Competition, presented by Booz Allen. These companies are advancing the frontiers of quantum and AI to solve real-world challenges—from scalable computing to quantum-secure communications and biomedical sensing.
After two days of fierce competition, three winners emerged:
🥉 3rd Place – QT Sense (Netherlands)
Applying nanodiamond sensing technology for biomedical and industrial applications. Represented on stage by COO Hoang Nguyen.
🥈 2nd Place – Phaseshift Inc. (United States)
Innovating with metasurface-based quantum photonics for advanced communications and sensing. Represented on stage by CEO Rezlind Bushati.
🥇 1st Place – XeedQ (Germany)
The 2025 Quantum Startup Pitch Winner! Advancing scalable, room-temperature quantum computing with diamond NV centers. Represented on stage by CEO Gopi Balasubramanian.
Each winner takes home not only global recognition, but also access to mentorship from NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers, opportunities in the QWC Launchpad, and—for XeedQ—the $25,000 grand prize.
Celebrating All of Our 2025 Finalists
Beyond the winners, this year’s finalists showcase the strength, diversity, and creativity of the global quantum ecosystem:
XeedQ (Germany) – advancing scalable room-temperature quantum computing with diamond NV centers.
Quantum Network Technologies, Inc. (Qunett) (United States) – building modular hardware systems to enable a quantum internet.
QT Sense (Netherlands) – applying nanodiamond sensing technology for biomedical and industrial applications.
Qruise (Germany) – optimizing quantum hardware development with AI-driven modeling and control software.
Phaseshift Inc. (United States) – innovating with metasurface-based quantum photonics for advanced communications and sensing.
anabrid GmbH (Germany) – pioneering analog and hybrid quantum computing platforms for next-generation problem solving.
amPICQ (United States) – exploring scalable quantum hardware solutions at the materials and device level.
These companies exemplify the convergence of quantum and AI, proving that the future of the field is both global and collaborative.
A Platform for Quantum’s Next Generation
“As the world’s quantum ecosystem gathers in Greater Washington, this year’s finalists and winners highlight how breakthrough science translates into real-world application,” said George Thomas, President & CEO of Connected DMV, operator of Quantum World Congress. “The Startup Pitch Competition continues to be a catalyst for early-stage companies bringing transformative solutions to market.”
About the Quantum Startup Pitch Competition
Now in its third year, the Quantum Startup Pitch Competition spotlights the most promising startups in quantum technology and adjacent fields. Finalists are selected through a rigorous review process and judged by a distinguished panel of global experts. Past winners include EuQlid Inc. (2024), BOSONQ PSI (2023), and QuantroPI Inc. (2022).