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QuiX Quantum appoints new CEO Dr. -Ing. Stefan Hengesbach

09 June 2022

9 June 2022 — QuiX Quantum introduces Dr. -Ing. Stefan Hengesbach as newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, for the world’s most powerful quantum photonics processors and scalable, plug-and-play quantum computing solutions. Founder Dr. Hans van den Vlekkert is retiring from the operational side of the business and will remain with the company as a director and shareholder.

Having been in the photonics industry for more than 10 years, Dr. -Ing. Stefan Hengesbach possesses an extensive background in photonics and quantum optics. Prevalent through his education and numerous publications, he has dedicated his career into mastering the industry.

Dr. Hengesbach has had his dissertation awarded the Borchers Badge of RWTH Aachen University, as well as his research in the field of laser technology with the renowned Hugo-Geiger Prize of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft and the WLT Prize of the Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft Lasertechnik e.V. (Scientific Society for Laser Technology).

Dr.-Ing. Stefan Hengesbach and Dr. Hans van den Vlekkert with the world record 20-mode quantum processor in the QuiX lab in Enschede. Photo Credit: Gijs van Ouwerkerk.

Dr. Hengesbach, who took over as CEO in May previously served as Managing Director of the quantum startup Q.ANT in Stuttgart, Germany. “With the TriPleX material platform, QuiX Quantum and the manufacturing technology contractor Lionix International B.V. have developed a mature basic technology for the production of photonic circuits with exceptionally low attenuation and protected by a strong IP portfolio. As a result, we are already able to sell quantum processors and are one of the few companies in the world to record real revenues from second-generation quantum technology. This is very rare in the significantly overheated and artificially inflated quantum technology market,” said Dr. Hengesbach.

In combination with his past executive and management experience, Hengesbach was an obvious and fitting choice for QuiX Quantum. “He has both the practical and theoretical knowledge,” says Dr. Hans van den Vlekkert in full support, “which is vital to effectively and successfully manage the overall operations within Quix Quantum.” Being the worldwide market leader in photonic quantum computing hardware comes with inevitable growth, and QuiX Quantum sees the need to further expand.

QuiX Quantum B.V. was founded in January 2019 by Dr. Hans van den Vlekkert and Dr. Jelmer Renema. The company operates “fabless” and currently employs 15 experts who specialize in the design and further development of photonic quantum computers. QuiX Quantum is the world market leader in the production of photonic processors for quantum applications both in the number of systems sold, their quality (fidelity) and the number of inputs and outputs, so-called Qumodes.