University of Oxford spin-out QFX announces seed funding round and appoints industry leaders to drive development of next-generation modular quantum technologies.

Oxford, UK - October 2025 - QFX, a UK-based supplier of advanced quantum hardware, announces its mission to deliver networked quantum technologies at the scale required for significant quantum advantage. Applying a modular philosophy to precision quantum engineering, QFX will provide the building blocks to revolutionise trapped ion and neutral atom quantum technologies. 

Incorporated as Quantum Fabrix Ltd, trading as QFX, the company builds on world-leading trapped ion quantum computing research at the University of Oxford, including development of the world’s foremost networked quantum computing demonstrator. The company was founded by Associate Professor and ERC Laureate Dr Joe Goodwin and researchers from his group, which is developing the first scalable networked quantum computing architectures, combining individual trapped ions with optical microcavities. 

The company recently closed a £2 million seed funding round, led by renowned Silicon Valley investor and Y-Combinator co-founder, Paul Graham. The funding will support QFX’s mission to deliver scalable quantum technologies for computing, sensing, and secure communications -addressing the growing demand for robust quantum infrastructure across industry and academia. 

QFX has recently welcomed two seasoned industry leaders to its executive team: 

Dr Timothy Ballance

Appointed Chief Executive Officer, joins from Infleqtion, where he served as President - UK having led the firm’s UK subsidiary since its inception, building on his academic background in networked trapped ion quantum computing research in Cambridge and Oxford. Timothy has since played a central role in commercialising quantum technologies for national defence, navigation, and computing. Under his leadership, Infleqtion UK grew from a single-person operation to a 50-strong team and delivered pioneering products such as the cold atom sources and the atomic clocks. 

Sadie Mansell

Appointed Chief Operating Officer at QFX, also joins from Infleqtion, where she served as Director of Operations. Sadie brings extensive experience in scaling quantum ventures, operational strategy, and delivering complex R&D programmes. Her leadership has been instrumental in building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence in fast-growth quantum environments. 

Several company Founders will continue to play pivotal roles in the growth of the company:  

• Dr Joe Goodwin will direct technical strategy at QFX as Chief Technology Officer, continuing his research into scalable networked quantum computing architectures [1] [2]. 
  

• Dr Laurent Stephenson will lead research and development as Chief Scientific Officer, building on his decade of experience at the forefront of trapped ion quantum computing which has resulted in the world’s highest performance networked quantum computing system [3] [4].  
  

• Dr Peter Drmota will lead innovation as Chief Innovation Officer, having established himself as an award-winning innovator with his high-impact work on photonically-networked distributed quantum computers [5][6]. 
  

“With strong investor backing and a leadership team rooted in deep technical and commercial expertise,” said Dr Ballance, “I am thrilled to be leading QFX, delivering quantum hardware which will enable the next generation of quantum systems.”