Deep Tech Lab
Quantum

...because to solve humanity’s grand challenges, we need to dig deep
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Deep Tech Lab — Quantum is a new initiative from BioInnovation Institute (BII) in Copenhagen to leverage Denmark’s world-leading research in quantum physics with BII’s recognized excellence in creating, fostering, and maturing start-up and spin-out companies within another Deep Tech field: Life Science.

We will support early-stage companies based on quantum and quantum-enabling technologies with programs tailored for this field and with the same goal of ensuring that they too can realize their full commercial potential.

Vision and Mission

Located at the confluence of science and engineering, deep technologies leverage scientific insights to realize improved solutions and radically new capabilities.

Quantum technologies, and in particular quantum computing, have the potential to revolutionize both entire industries and society in general: it is anticipated that quantum computing will make it possible to develop insights into and viable solutions for some of the most intractable sustainability and climate-related challenges facing the planet.

Deep Tech Lab — Quantum's vision is to support world-class innovation based on quantum information science that drives the development of new solutions by early-stage start-ups for the benefit of people and society.

Our mission is to incubate world-class quantum information science and catalyze the commercialization of new solutions through start-ups by using our knowledge, network, funding, and infrastructure.

1. Driving Innovation
Supporting start-ups as we will do through our programs helps drive innovation and advancements in the field, leading to new solutions and applications.
2. Cultivating the Quantum Ecosystem
Investing in startups not only creates high-skill job opportunities; it also supports the growth of the ecosystem by fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration. This in turn drives economic growth and contributes to a thriving and diverse startup community.
3. Strengthening Denmark’s Quantum Leadership
By supporting start-ups based on quantum technologies, Denmark can further strengthen its position as a leader in the field and attract top talent, investments, and partnerships.
What we do

At Deep Tech Lab — Quantum, we will drive innovation within quantum technologies by supporting early-stage startups.

Our tailored programs will focus on developing interdisciplinary teams, identifying and developing the most promising business case(s), and determining the most suitable technology development pathways for commercial viability and company growth. The first acceleration program will be run as an affiliated member of DIANA's Challenge Program, starting in the Fall of 2023.

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Who we are
Deep Tech Lab — Quantum is an independent legal entity under the auspices of the BioInnovation Institute (BII) and built upon BII’s unique position, experience, and expertise within Life Science.
Jens Nielsen
Chief Executive Officer
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As the CEO of BII, Jens Nielsen builds strong international relations andensures a clear working direction for the BII and Deep Tech Lab teams
As the CEO of BII, Jens Nielsen builds strong international relations and ensures a clear working direction for the BII and Deep Tech Lab teams. Jens is a professor at the Chalmers University of Technology and an adjunct professor at DTU, with a vast amount of life-science research experience
Cathal J. Mahon
Chief Business Officer
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As CBO at Deep Tech Lab — Quantum, Cathal Mahon will be responsible for leading the Business Development team. Cathal is a technology expert with extensive experience as an investment manager for
As CBO at Deep Tech Lab — Quantum, Cathal Mahon will be responsible for leading the Business Development team. Cathal is a technology expert with extensive experience as an investment manager for venture capital funds specializing in high-tech start-ups – including quantum – and, prior to this, from a variety of managerial and R&D positions in the telecommunications industry. Since 2016, he has been exclusively focused on developing the commercial potential of quantum technologies.
Jakob Svagin
Principal Business Developer for Quantum
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Jakob is supporting deep tech startups within quantum technology.
Thomas Hoffmann
Chief Operating Officer
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Thomas is responsible for BII’s overall administration, finance, communications, legal, and IT. He has extensive experience with financing from the Danish Growth Fund and smaller start-up companies
Thomas is responsible for BII’s overall administration, finance, communications, legal, and IT. He has extensive experience with financing from the Danish Growth Fund and smaller start-up companies, including experience in strategy building, financing high-growth companies and M&As, product development, and managing teams and projects. Thomas holds an MSc in Economics and Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School and an MBA from Henley Business School.
Sofie Lorentzen
Chief People Officer
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Sofie is our Chief People Officer and is passionate about ensuring that BII has the best talent, organizational design, and working environment to ensure success. In addition to having a bachelor´s degree
Sofie is our Chief People Officer and is passionate about ensuring that BII has the best talent, organizational design, and working environment to ensure success. In addition to having a bachelor´s degree in Business Administration and a Masters´s in Psychology and Pedagogy, Sofie has over 20 years of experience working in HR. Previously, she was a senior HR Partner at the Novo Nordisk Foundations and the Technical University of Denmark.
Mikkel Skovborg
Senior Vice President, Innovation
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Mikkel is responsible for activities within the Novo Nordisk Foundation regarding innovation and entrepreneurship.
Mikkel is responsible for activities within the Novo Nordisk Foundation regarding innovation and entrepreneurship.
News and Media Mentions
The Challenge Call is open for applications
Copenhagen, Denmark, June 21, 2023
Deep Tech Lab - Quantum encourages all startups working with quantum communication and quantum sensing for life science applications to apply to the challenge call just launched by DIANA. The call closes on August 25th, 2023.
APPLY HERE
Press release
Copenhagen, Denmark, May 11, 2023
BioInnovation Institute appointed by the Danish government to run international deep tech start-up accelerator to unlock the potential in quantum science.
Learn more
More on DIANA
Through its affiliation with the DIANA Center for Quantum Technologies in Denmark, Deep Tech Lab — Quantum will be part of the DIANA Accelerator Network established by NATO to foster an eco-system of innovators within a number of emerging and developing technologies.
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FAQ

DIANA is short for The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). Read more on the DIANA accelerator network: DIANA | Home (nato.int) You can find an overview of the European DIANA test centers here, including the I-Hub innovation Center at Imperial College in the UK.

Yes, both Danish and international start-ups will be taken into consideration. In DIANA regi though, only from the NATO member states.

Increased computing power will positively impact life sciences in various ways. It will, for example, make it easier to mathematically calculate conformations and quantum interactions in molecular systems, which paves the way for a significant acceleration in developing new drugs. Moreover, as Quantum computing can process a variety of data from several sources and make granular risk predictions, it can have a huge impact on the application of human healthcare data, diagnostics, and precision medicine, which could subsequently impact drug & treatment pricing. From a sustainability perspective, increased computing power is essential for optimizing energy systems. Optimized energy systems should be capable of channelizing green energy production to those places with the most significant energy demand. Optimizing processes and making them more energy-efficient can also decrease the overall energy usage of computing power. At the same time, computing power will help in the overall understanding of bio-based energy production.

There is already significant interest from long-term investors in this area, and BII aims to build a strong network of investors that can further strengthen the development of a robust innovation environment in quantum technologies. NATO recently announced a €1B NATO Innovation Fund, which could provide deep tech start-ups with investment opportunities. Read more here: NATO - News: NATO launches Innovation Fund, 30-Jun.-2022 Other investors in quantum technology have included big tech companies, major tech VC's, dedicated Deep Tech VCs, and several government funds across the world.

A Deep Tech accelerator program is different from other types of accelerator programs in a few key ways. It focuses on start-ups that are developing advanced technologies that require significant expertise and investment to develop. These programs often have a longer and more complex development process, require specialized mentors and experts, and are focused on creating disruptive innovations that have the potential to transform entire industries. In contrast, other types of accelerator programs may focus on a broader range of start-ups and have shorter-term goals.

BioInnovation Institute (BII) accelerates world-class life science start-up innovation to bring forward products and services that benefit people and society. As a non-profit institute, BII operates the company creation programs Bio Studio and the company acceleration programs Venture Lab and Venture House. In all programs, BII supports planetary and human health start-ups with knowledge, network, infrastructure and funding. We empower early-stage start-ups to succeed and believe in the transformative power of life science innovation. Read more on www.bii.dk