Sparrow Quantum Strengthens Leadership Team With Niels Nielsen From 2xN

Insider Brief

• Sparrow Quantum announced Niels Nielsen joined the company’s board of directors.
• Sparrow Quantum is a Danish quantum technology company specializing in quantum photonic devices. Nielsen is a season investor from 2xN.
• Nielsen is a board member in several quantum technology companies, including Quantinuum.

PRESS RELEASE — Sparrow Quantum, a Danish quantum technology company renowned for its world-leading expertise in foundational quantum photonic devices, particularly single-photon sources, is thrilled to announce the addition of Niels Nielsen from 2xN to its Board of Directors.

Niels, a serial entrepreneur and tech investor, is the co-founder of the investment firm 2xN. 2xN backs the founders having the greatest impacts on society, e.g., in the quantum technology sector. In May 2023, Sparrow Quantum proudly joined the 2xN portfolio as Sparrow’s seed funding round was led by 2xN. The seed round featured co-investment from LIFTT and the European Innovation Council (EIC) and raised 31 million DKK.

Niels is mainly focusing on 2xN’s efforts within quantum technology, and as an investor and board member in several quantum technology companies (e.g., Quantinuum, one of the world’s largest quantum computing companies formed by the merger of Cambridge Quantum and Honeywell Quantum Solutions), he is set to bring valuable perspectives from the broader quantum tech industry. His unique insights will aim to be a contributing factor in driving Sparrow’s continued success, growth, and strategic vision forward. Moreover, adding Niels to the board underscores Sparrow’s dedication to assembling an experienced leadership team that will be pivotal in enabling the company’s vision of becoming a market leader in light-matter interfaces for quantum technologies.

Sparrow’s Board Chairperson, Niels Christian Nielsen, a seasoned board director who serves on boards such as Prophet, Unumed, and the Wikimedia Endowment, welcomes Niels to the team with enthusiasm. “We are delighted to welcome Niels Nielsen to our board. His expertise and insights in the broader quantum industry will be instrumental as we continue to drive growth, foster innovation, and pursue our mission to develop the world’s best single-photon components. Niels brings a wealth of knowledge from the quantum tech world, a strategic mindset, and a passion for excellence that aligns perfectly with Sparrow’s values and vision.”

Niels Nielsen shared his excitement about joining the Sparrow team, saying, “Quantum is gaining momentum with significant recent scientific breakthroughs as well as increasing public and private funding. We believe that Denmark has strong potential in the sector thanks to its academic traditions, political support, and world-leading companies becoming end users of quantum technology. Sparrow Quantum is a good example of a promising Danish company, with technology being the result of over two decades of pioneering research by the founder, Prof. Peter Lodahl. With their exceptional team, I see clear potential to emerge as the market leader, and I am looking forward to working closely with this team to shape the future of light-matter interfaces for quantum tech.”