Quantum Systems’s compact drones can take off and land vertically and can be equipped with a variety of different sensors. Furthermore, the drones are particularly distinguished by their flexible and mobile deployment capabilities, ease of use, as well as highly performant flight control software and integrated AI functionalities. Originally designed for applications such as search and rescue operations, smart farming, open-pit mining, and major construction sites, the Munich-based company has meanwhile also become an important supplier to various armed forces. Quantum Systems supplies not only the Ukrainian armed forces – for which a new factory in Ukraine was built in spring – but also the German armed forces (Bundeswehr).
With the additional funds of roughly 40 million euros now raised – the original Series B brought Quantum Systems 63.3 million euros – the Munich-based company aims to advance its global expansion and invest in the further development of artificial intelligence (AI) and software. In addition to Notion Capital and Porsche Automobil Holding SE, existing investors also participated again. It is important not to confuse Porsche SE with Porsche AG: while the SE is responsible for asset management of the Porsche Piech family, the AG is responsible for automobile production of sports cars as a subsidiary of the VW Group.
Notion Capital: We need “more homegrown success stories like Quantum Systems”
Florian Seibel, CEO and co-founder of Quantum Systems, explains:
“With the support of our investors, we are building partnerships that will drive innovations essential for Europe’s technological sovereignty, security, and resilience. I am grateful to all our investors who have supported us on this journey – the best is yet to come. But one thing is certain: without security, nothing is worth anything.”
He also has special words for the new investor Porsche. What unites both companies, according to Seibel, is their understanding of technology and perfection.
Lutz Meschke, board member of investment management at Porsche SE, says:
“Drone technology has evolved rapidly in recent years. The market potential of this technology is exceptionally high. Quantum Systems, with its leading technology platform, will participate in above-average growth in this sector. In the coming years, the market for compact drones is expected to grow by 20 percent per year.”
And Patrick Norris, General Partner at Notion Capital, adds:
“Florian is a highly motivated founder who advocates for European values. In such an uncertain world, we all need more homegrown success stories like Quantum Systems to make a difference and achieve an impact that goes beyond economic profit.”
Successful projects with partners like Airbus
To this end, Quantum Systems also collaborates with other companies, such as Airbus. The partners recently announced a breakthrough in the development of drone swarm technology. During a demonstration in early August, drone swarms successfully completed several test scenarios with the help of artificial intelligence – including scenarios with radio interference or failures of individual drones. The foundation for this is advanced deep reinforcement learning, in which the AI independently optimizes its tactics in a simulation and can thus make more precise decisions in tactical operations.
And several other startups are also among Quantum Systems’s partners, such as Arx, which is also based in the Munich ecosystem. Arx develops unmanned ground vehicles, and together the two companies aim to offer improved unmanned solutions tailored to the increasing autonomization of the battlefield. This cooperation has now been expanded through the founding of the UXS Alliance: In addition to the two Munich-based companies, it includes other developers and providers of unmanned solutions. The goal of the new alliance is to pool German and European expertise and make a significant contribution to NATO and European security.
