Vienna-based quantum cybersecurity scale-up zerothird has secured a new, undisclosed investment led by VERBUND X Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of VERBUND. This follows a $10 million seed funding round announced in early 2025, demonstrating continued investor confidence in the company’s innovative approach to safeguarding data against future quantum computing threats.
zerothird focuses on quantum-based key distribution leveraging quantum entanglement. The company was founded in 2023 by a team originating from the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information Vienna, and its patented technology is based on years of research. The increasing advancements in quantum computing are raising security concerns for current encryption methods, as powerful quantum computers could potentially break established encryption procedures like RSA-2048.
According to the company, attackers are already storing sensitive data in anticipation of the availability of powerful quantum computers to decrypt it. Zerothird addresses this emerging threat with a technology built on physical principles, securing key exchange against attacks from quantum computers.
“With zerothird, we are investing in a key technology for the security of European infrastructure,” said Michael Strugl, CEO of VERBUND AG. Sparring Capital, a lead investor in the previous seed round, is also participating in this latest funding round, alongside KGAL.
The investment underscores the growing importance of quantum cybersecurity as organizations prepare for a future where current encryption standards may be vulnerable. Zerothird’s technology offers a proactive solution to protect sensitive information in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
