From Theory to Reality: Cisco Investments Backs the Future of Quantum Networking through Qunnect
Quantum technologies are reshaping the way we think about security, communication, and computing - pushing the boundaries of what is possible in today’s networks. At the forefront of this transformative space is Qunnect, a Brooklyn-based pioneer developing room-temperature quantum networking technologies designed for practical and scalable deployment.
Cisco Investments is proud to announce its participation in Qunnect’s recent fundraising round, helping to accelerate the commercialization of quantum networking solutions. This investment underscores a shared vision for advancing secure communications and revolutionizing the infrastructure that will underpin the quantum internet.
“Qunnect understands that quantum networking has to work in the real world, not just in pristine lab conditions,” says Vijoy Pandey, GM and Senior Vice President of Outshift by Cisco, the company’s internal incubation engine that delivers what’s next and new for Cisco. “Their room-temperature approach aligns with our quantum data center vision.”
From Academic Curiosity to Industry-Changing Innovation
Qunnect’s journey began with a simple yet bold question: how could quantum technologies be made practical for real-world use? For its co-founders, Mael Flament and Mehdi Namazi, the answer lay in rethinking how quantum networking devices could operate outside the confines of a lab.
“It’s an uplifting story,” says Noel Goddard, CEO of Qunnect. “The company started with two grad students who were inspired to create a quantum memory that didn’t require cryogenic cooling. That vision has grown into a fully realized product suite that’s designed to work in real-world environments.”
Unlike many quantum technologies that are confined to controlled lab settings, Qunnect’s solutions are built for deployment over existing telecommunications infrastructure. This pragmatic approach ensures that its products, including the Carina product suite--which bundles the technologies required to deploy an entanglement-based quantum network--can integrate seamlessly into today’s fiber, enabling a wide range of applications across industries.
“Quantum networking complements Cisco’s pioneering work in IP networking and we are very excited to see emerging technologies, like Qunnect, that can be deployed over existing fiber infrastructure,” says Bill Gartner, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Cisco’s Optical Systems and Optics business within its Infrastructure and Security Group.
From Testbeds to Real-World Use Cases
Qunnect’s breakthrough moment came with the deployment of its technologies on two groundbreaking quantum testbeds: one in New York City and another in Berlin. The company’s GothamQ network in New York, a live, entanglement-based quantum network, has become a proving ground for its products and a hub for industry collaboration.
“We envisioned a product suite that could serve as a drop-in solution,” Goddard explains. “With GothamQ, we’re now demonstrating that vision in action. Our network is enabling use cases for quantum data centers and secure communications, all while operating over commercial fiber.”
The success of GothamQ has informed the design of Qunnect’s next-generation hardware, which includes tools for buffering and preserving high-quality entangled photons, the building blocks of quantum communication. These innovations are enabling breakthroughs in cybersecurity, distributed computing, and sensing applications.
Cisco’s Role in Advancing Quantum Networking
Cisco’s investment in Qunnect reflects its broader strategic goals of advancing secure communications and enabling the quantum internet. With its recent innovations, such as the quantum network entanglement chip and the opening of Cisco Quantum Labs, Cisco is positioning itself as a leader in this emergent field.
"Qunnect’s approach fits right into our broader quantum networking strategy. We're not just building one-off research prototypes - we're creating the infrastructure for a real quantum internet,” says Pandey. “Qunnect has been collaborating with us for some time now, customizing their solutions based on our vision. It's collaborations like this that move us from interesting research to deployable quantum networking solutions."
Scaling the Quantum Internet
Looking ahead, Qunnect aims to continue scaling its technologies, working closely with strategic partners to develop turn-key solutions for industries ranging from critical infrastructure to advanced sensing applications.
“Every installation teaches us something new,” says Goddard. “Whether it’s improving the performance of our products or exploring new use cases, we’re constantly learning and evolving. This agility is what keeps us at the forefront of the quantum networking space.”
For Qunnect, the journey is just beginning. With the support of Cisco Investments and other industry leaders, the company is poised to accelerate the adoption of quantum networking technologies, bringing us closer to a future where secure, high-performance quantum networks are a reality.