1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program is an initiative designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups with high-risk, high-impact innovations. Aimed particularly at DeepTech sectors, the program provides financial support and advisory services to companies poised to develop groundbreaking technologies or business models. The EIC Accelerator stands out for its dual funding approach, combining grants and equity investments, enabling startups to secure the resources necessary for scaling their operations.

Funding Structure

The funding provided through the EIC Accelerator includes two components: a grant and an equity investment.

Purpose in the European DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in the European ecosystem by fostering innovation and competitiveness. It specifically targets DeepTech startups that tackle complex challenges through advanced technologies, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and more. By offering substantial financial backing and mentoring, the program aims to bridge the funding gap often experienced by high-tech startups, particularly in the early stages of development.

The program also enhances collaboration within the innovation landscape, encouraging synergies among startups, established corporations, and research institutions. Through this ecosystem of support, the EIC Accelerator helps to cultivate a fertile environment for technological advancements, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and technological leadership of Europe.

Support in Scaling and Obtaining Private Funding

The EIC Accelerator not only provides direct funding but also plays a strategic role in helping companies scale their operations. By connecting startups with a network of business mentors, industry experts, and investors, the program facilitates knowledge transfer and capacity building. This network can be instrumental in guiding startups through challenges related to market entry, regulatory compliance, and scaling operations.

Moreover, the EIC Accelerator’s backing serves as a strong endorsement, which can enhance a company’s credibility in the eyes of private investors. As startups demonstrate the viability of their innovations and gain traction in the market, they are better positioned to attract additional funding from venture capitalists and other private sector sources.

Case Study: ORANGE QUANTUM SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL BV

Company Overview: ORANGE QUANTUM SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL BV, based in the Netherlands, specializes in quantum technology, focusing on developing innovative solutions that enhance the performance and capabilities of quantum computing systems.

EIC Accelerator Project: The company was awarded funding for its project named HTQC-Diagnostics, standing for High-Throughput Quantum Chip Diagnostics. The project aims to revolutionize the diagnostics of quantum chips, enabling faster and more efficient testing processes.

Funding Details: ORANGE QUANTUM SYSTEMS secured a grant as a first step under the EIC Accelerator, followed by an equity investment to support the scaling of the HTQC-Diagnostics project. The proposal was submitted on March 22, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey.

Technology Basics and Background of HTQC-Diagnostics

The HTQC-Diagnostics project focuses on enhancing the reliability and performance of quantum chips, a critical component in quantum computing systems. Quantum chips are designed to manipulate quantum bits (qubits), the fundamental units of quantum information. However, testing these chips efficiently and accurately poses significant challenges due to the complexity of quantum systems and their sensitivity to environmental factors.

The HTQC-Diagnostics initiative seeks to develop high-throughput diagnostic tools that can streamline the testing of quantum chips. By employing advanced algorithms and integrated diagnostic frameworks, the project aims to reduce the time and resources required for chip evaluation, ultimately accelerating the development and deployment of quantum technologies.

The ability to diagnose and optimize quantum chips effectively is essential for advancing quantum computing capabilities, paving the way for more robust applications in various fields, including cryptography, optimization problems, and complex simulations. The HTQC-Diagnostics project embodies the innovative spirit of the EIC Accelerator, aligning with its mission to propel transformative technologies that can reshape industries and societal challenges.

For more information, visit orangeqs.com.

2 The Funding Rounds

Orange Quantum Systems (OrangeQS), a Netherlands-based quantum technology startup, has established itself as a pioneering force in the quantum industry by developing specialized testing equipment for quantum chips. The company has secured significant funding to support its growth trajectory since winning the prestigious EIC Accelerator grant in 2023.

Funding History

Orange Quantum Systems has successfully raised capital through multiple funding sources: Pre-Seed Round (September 2023): The company raised €1.5 million in a pre-seed funding round co-led by QDNL Participations and Cottonwood Technology Fund. This marked their first external investment round, although the company had already been operating commercially for three years prior.

EIC Accelerator Grant (Summer 2023): Orange QS secured a grant from the European Innovation Council's EIC Accelerator program. The company had submitted its Step 2 proposal on March 22, 2023, and subsequently won in the Step 3 interview.

Additional Investment (2024): InnovationQuarter joined as an investor, alongside existing investors Cottonwood Technology Fund and QDNL Participations. InnovationQuarter is the regional economic development agency for the greater Rotterdam-The Hague area, managing over €300 million in funds.

Investor Information

The company's investor portfolio includes:

• QDNL Participations: Co-led the pre-seed round in September 2023.
• Cottonwood Technology Fund: Co-led the pre-seed round alongside QDNL Participations.
• InnovationQuarter (IQ): Joined as an investor in 2024, focusing on the company's unique position in the quantum industry value chain.

According to Ton van't Noordende, managing director at QDNL Participations: "By providing rapid and accurate testing of quantum devices, Orange QS is filling a crucial need for the emerging quantum computing industry. This technology will catalyse many more innovations in the Dutch quantum ecosystem and strengthen the country's position as a leader in this field."

Company Growth and Development

Bootstrapped Growth: Before securing external funding, Orange QS bootstrapped for its first three years through product sales and subsidized projects. During this period, the company grew to a full-time team of 17 employees and established its own cryogenic lab facilities in Delft.

Product Development:

• Launched the Orange Rack for the US quantum chip R&D market, a complete room temperature equipment stack for automated quantum chip testing.
• Developed Quantum Diagnostics Libraries, a suite of proprietary software libraries for automated qubit testing.
• In spring 2024, announced the sale of their first utility-scale test equipment to a leading quantum computer builder, capable of testing 100+ qubit quantum chips in less than a week.
• Opened a new production facility in Delft to assemble and test industry-level systems.

Market Position: Orange QS aims to be the #1 worldwide provider in the quantum chip testing segment. The company's technology significantly reduces test cost per qubit and accelerates the transition of quantum chips from laboratory to industrial fabrication facilities.

Current Status and Future Direction

As of 2024, Orange Quantum Systems is focusing on developing its next generation of quantum chip test equipment. The company is leveraging its funding to build what they describe as "the world's most capable quantum chip testing equipment".

The company has positioned itself as the first worldwide to provide off-the-shelf, affordable, and fast alternatives to in-house testing solutions for industry customers. Their approach mirrors that of the semiconductor industry, where Automated Test Equipment (ATE) companies focus on building specialized test equipment, but with the added quantum expertise that sets Orange QS apart.

There is no public information available about any exit events such as IPOs, buyouts, or acquisitions involving Orange Quantum Systems as of May 2025.

Sources: - Orange QS obtains EIC Accelerator grant to deliver diagnostics systems for the quantum industry

• Orange Quantum Systems Raises €1.5 Million in Pre-Seed Round
• Cottonwood Technology Fund invests in Orange Quantum Systems
• Orange Quantum Systems raises €1.5M pre-seed to accelerate the quantum industry with faster chip testing
• Orange Quantum Systems raises €1.5M for quantum chip testing
• OrangeQS welcomes InnovationQuarter as investor

3 The Press Releases

Key Developments and Technology
Orange QS launched the Orange Rack, a room-temperature equipment stack for automated quantum chip testing, targeting the U.S. R&D market. This system integrates proprietary Quantum Diagnostics Libraries, enabling rapid qubit characterization and reducing test times from weeks to hours. The company also expanded its cryogenic lab facilities, enhancing its capacity to develop turnkey solutions optimized for high-speed qubit testing.

Funding and Growth
In mid-2023, Orange QS secured a €1.5 million pre-seed round co-led by QDNL Participations and Cottonwood Technology Fund. Combined with the EIC Accelerator grant, this funding supports development of next-generation test equipment aimed at industrial-scale quantum chip production. The company has grown to 17 full-time employees and emphasizes a value-chain approach to strengthen Europe’s position in the global quantum industry.

Strategic Vision and Industry Impact
Orange QS advocates for standardized testing protocols as quantum chips move into fabrication facilities ("fabs"). Their solutions aim to reduce costs per qubit significantly while improving reliability—a critical step for scaling superconducting and spin-qubit technologies. Collaborations with entities like QuantWare highlight their role in addressing cross-industry challenges through partnerships[^.].

Sources

• Orange QS obtains EIC Accelerator grant
• EIT Digital Top50 selection
• Pre-seed funding announcement
• QBN coverage of funding round
• TechFundingNews article

4 The Technology Advancements

Key Advancements

• OrangeQS Max Launch: In November 2024, the company introduced OrangeQS Max, a full-stack test system for characterizing quantum chips with 100+ qubits, including tunable couplers. The system automates chip testing to reduce R&D bottlenecks and is optimized for commercial scalability, developed in collaboration with IQM Quantum Computers.
• OrangeQS Juice: Unveiled in March 2025 at the APS Global Physics Summit, this open-source operating system provides unified control for quantum R&D labs. It supports hardware abstraction, remote collaboration, and experiment scheduling. Early adopters include Berkeley Lab’s Advanced Quantum Testbed (AQT), Chalmers Next Labs, and QuTech’s DiCarlo Lab.

Market Demonstrations & Collaborations

• HectoQubit/2 Project: As part of this Quantum Delta NL-funded initiative (announced May 2023), OrangeQS collaborates with QuantWare, Qblox, and Delft Circuits to build a superconducting quantum computer integrated into the Quantum Inspire cloud platform.
• Beta Testing: OrangeQS Juice began closed beta testing in mid-2025 with leading research institutions. A live demonstration occurred at the APS Summit booth #768 on March 18, 2025.

Intellectual Property & Publications

Sources

• SQA 2025 comes to Delft & OrangeQS hosts Quantum Chip Testing Session
• OrangeQS Reveals a Closed Beta of OrangeQS Juice
• Orange Quantum Systems Unveils OrangeQS Juice
• OrangeQS launches OrangeQS Max
• Innovation & Collaboration - QuTech Annual Report 2023

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Key Partnerships & Customers

• University of Cologne (Germany): First customer for their Quantum Diagnostics Libraries, which enable automated qubit testing protocols.
• Bluefors (Finland): Early adopter of the OrangeQS Rack, a cryogenic-compatible test system for industrial-scale quantum chip validation.
• IQM Finland: Deployed OrangeQS MAX, a 150+ qubit test system optimized for utility-scale quantum processors.
• Advanced Quantum Testbed (AQT) at Berkeley Lab: Partnering in the closed beta program for OrangeQS Juice, an open-source OS for quantum labs launching in mid-2025.
• Chalmers Next Labs & DiCarlo Lab (QuTech): Additional beta collaborators for Juice to refine multi-instrument coordination and experiment management tools.

New Relationships & Market Positioning

• Includes AQT Berkeley, Chalmers Next Labs, and QuTech’s DiCarlo Lab. These partnerships aim to validate Juice’s capabilities in real-world R&D environments while enhancing cross-platform compatibility and remote collaboration features.
• Purpose: Accelerate standardization of quantum lab operations through open-source hardware abstraction layers and pre-installed software packages.

2. Industrial Automation Focus

3. Advisory Council Expertise

Impact on Technology Advancements

• High-Speed Testing Solutions: Post-EIC funding enabled development of turnkey systems combining proprietary diagnostics libraries with modular hardware stacks like the Orange Rack, reducing per-chip test times from weeks to hours.
• Open-Source Ecosystem Growth: Juice’s upcoming public release will let third-party labs integrate custom APIs while leveraging standardized data correlation tools—critical for multi-site research efforts like fault-tolerant qubit development.

Strategic Market Expansion

Sources: