Ewigbyte secures €1.6 million for innovative glass storage technology

Global data volume is growing rapidly, driven by AI applications. At the same time, individual data centers already consume as much energy as cities with 100,000 inhabitants. The startup Ewigbyte is developing a glass-based storage technology that writes data directly into glass using ultrashort light pulses. technology It makes information modifiable only through physical destruction, requires no ongoing energy consumption after writing, and is intended to strengthen Europe's digital sovereignty.

Ewigbyte has secured €1.6 million in pre-seed funding for this approach. Vanagon Ventures and Bayern Kapital are leading the round. Experienced business angels from the BaystartupAn investor network is also participating. In addition, the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND) is awarding the startup a validation contract. The capital will be used to develop an industrial prototype that will enable the transition from research to application.

Data permanently engraved in glass

Ewigbyte doesn't store data in magnetic or electrical states, but writes it directly into glass using a femtosecond laser. With each pulse, the system writes over a million data points in the form of tiny, QR code-like patterns. The information remains permanently physically fixed and resistant to environmental influences.

The team is responding to structural weaknesses in existing storage technologies. Heat, humidity, cyberattacks, power outages, and solar storms endanger conventional systems. At the same time, energy demand and costs are increasing.

Prototype as a basis for pilot customers

With the new capital, Ewigbyte is developing an industrial writing, storage, and reading machine as a prototype. This system forms the basis for collaboration with initial pilot customers.

Steffen Klewitz, co-founder and CEO of Ewigbyte, says:

"The funding from this round allows us to bring the technology to an industrially usable state more quickly. We can even implement key components earlier than originally planned and thus enable initial pilot applications starting this year."

Investors are also convinced. Sandro Stark, General Partner at Vanagon Ventures, says:

"Expanding the storage infrastructure is the key to everything that comes before it: AI, energy, computing power. It is the central building block. And Ewigbyte has the potential to become a company of generational importance in this area."

And Hans Schorsch, Business Angel from the Baystartup network and largest single investor in the round, reports:

"The pitch deck immediately 'infected' me and I knew: This is a perfect fit. Besides the actual business purpose, the technology, and the challenge of opening up new markets, it's something special to be part of Ewigbyte and to create something truly new."