SpeQtral

SpeQtral is a quantum communications company established in 2017, originating as a spin-off from the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at the National University of Singapore. The company was co-founded by Chune Yang Lum (CEO) and Dr. Robert Bedington (CTO). Both founders bring a wealth of relevant experience; Lum has over 15 years in the quantum, space, and telecommunications sectors, including roles at SES and CQT, complemented by an MBA from INSEAD and a Master's in Physics. Dr. Bedington has over 15 years of experience in satellite technology and was the satellite team lead for the SpooQy-1 mission at CQT. This mission achieved a world-first by demonstrating photon entanglement in a nanosatellite, a foundational technology for SpeQtral.

The firm is positioned to address the emergent threat that quantum computing poses to conventional encryption methods. SpeQtral is developing and deploying a global network for quantum-safe communication by merging space-based and terrestrial fibre technologies. The core of its business is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a method that uses the principles of quantum physics to generate and distribute encryption keys that are computationally uncrackable. If a third party attempts to intercept the key, the quantum state is altered, immediately alerting the communicating parties. This technology ensures data security for its target clients, which include government agencies, defense organizations, financial institutions, telecommunication providers, and data centers.

SpeQtral's business model involves providing both turnkey hardware solutions and an infrastructure-as-a-service offering. This allows clients to either own and operate their own dedicated QKD satellites and ground stations or utilize SpeQtral's network to receive quantum keys as a service. Products include the 'SpooQies' QKD satellite, based on their SpeQtral-1 design, and 'TarQIS', a mobile quantum optical ground station for deploying secure network infrastructure. A significant milestone was the launch of the SpooQy-1 satellite in 2019, which successfully demonstrated an entangled photon source in orbit. The company announced its SpeQtral-1 mission, set to launch in 2024, which aims to be one of the first commercial QKD satellite missions, performing key distribution over intercontinental distances. To foster adoption and development, SpeQtral partnered with Toshiba to launch Southeast Asia's first Quantum Networks Experience Centre (QNEX) in 2022.

The company's development has been supported by significant funding. It raised US$1.9 million in a 2019 seed round from investors including Space Capital, Golden Gate Ventures, and SGInnovate. This was followed by a Series A round in November 2021, raising US$8.3 million led by Xora Innovation, an investment platform of Temasek. These funds are allocated to international expansion, team growth, and the commercial rollout of its terrestrial and satellite-based systems. Keywords: Quantum Key Distribution, QKD, satellite communications, cybersecurity, quantum cryptography, secure encryption, space technology, quantum networks, terrestrial fibre networks, secure communications, data security, entangled photons, National University of Singapore, Centre for Quantum Technologies, Chune Yang Lum, Robert Bedington, SpooQy-1, SpeQtral-1, quantum-safe security, global quantum network, optical ground station, encryption keys