GeQD Q2 Recap – We got started

Representing Baden-Württemberg at the 33rd EXIST Gründungsforum. Picture: EXIST

We have moved into our new office, set up dedicated laboratory stations and entered the first phase of building germanium-based single-photon detectors for scalable quantum technologies, LiDAR and advanced imaging.

For us, this quarter was about getting started and making progress on several fronts at the same time: technology, team, market validation and ecosystem.

1st Generation GeQD wafer (currently working on the 4th generation). Picture: Nico Scheller

Technology progress: learning from the latest wafer run

A key milestone was the completion and evaluation of our latest wafer run.

The measurements show a further reduction of the dark count rate — one of the central parameters for single-photon detectors. This is an important step for us, because detector performance is not improved by one isolated decision, but through repeated learning cycles across design, fabrication, measurement and redesign.

Based on the latest measurement results, we have updated the mask design accordingly. The next wafer run is now in process.

In parallel, we have started the first design work for the optical integration and the ASIC. This matters because GeQD is not only about developing a strong detector component in isolation. Our long-term goal is to build detection systems that can be integrated into various applications, from quantum communication and quantum sensing to LiDAR and photon-based computing approaches.

The work ahead remains demanding. Dark count rate, photon detection efficiency, timing jitter, afterpulsing, array scalability and system integration all need to come together. This quarter has given us exactly what an early deep-tech venture needs: measurable progress, sharper design decisions and a technical roadmap for the next iteration.

Market validation: understanding what is necessary — and what is sufficient

We continued our market and application validation. A recurring question in our conversations is: which detector parameters are truly necessary for a given application, and which are "nice to have", but not decisive for adoption?

This distinction is especially relevant in fields such as quantum key distribution, LiDAR and photonic quantum computing. In research environments, the technical ambition is often to push every parameter as far as possible. In industrial applications, the question is different: what performance is sufficient to unlock a system-level advantage? What cost, scale and integration level that makes sense?

That is also why conversations with partners in quantum technologies, semiconductor manufacturing, LiDAR and advanced photonics remain so important for us.

You have somebody in mind to whom we should talk next? Make an introduction!

Team update: welcome, Claudia

A personal highlight this quarter: Claudia Bett successfully defended her dissertation in March and has officially joined the GeQD team in April.

GeQD is built around a technically demanding problem. To solve it, we need deep expertise across semiconductor technology, optics, electronics and commercialization. Claudia strengthens exactly this foundation and brings an important optical perspective into the team.

Welcome to GeQD, Claudia — and congratulations again on your defense.

Moreover, we staffed two aspiring engineers on a project basis to assist our ASIC development and measurement automation. Happy to have you both on board for your projects!

The team behind GeQD: Maurice Wanitzek, Claudia Bett, Maximilian Scheu, Jakob Finkbeiner. Picture: Nico Scheller

Events, ecosystem and visibility

This quarter also brought GeQD onto several stages and into several important ecosystems.

Maximilian Scheu and Maurice Wanitzek pitched GeQD in Berlin at the 33rd EXIST Gründungsforum. EXIST Forschungstransfer is now not only the funding framework behind GeQD, but also the program through which we are officially building the company. Happy to be there, and a lot of inspiration from speakers such as Florian Heinemann, Daniel Dippold, and more.

Maurice Wanitzek was invited to Paris for an exchange on quantum research and technology. Jakob Finkbeiner joined as an invited speaker at the VDE ITG Conference on Photonic Networks. We also connected with relevant players at the NXP Semiconductors Tech Day 2026, the NXTGN Applied Deep-Tech Festival and Ü:MO 2026 at the ARENA2036, and were invited to present GeQD at the City Hall of Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart for the Kick-off event of the "Stuttgarter Wissenschaftsfestival".

Innovation made in Stuttgart: Mayor Dr. Frank Nopper and Ingo Zamperoni in conversation about quantum technologies at the Stuttgart Science Festival.

Beyond individual events, the broader signal is more important: the GeQD network is becoming more targeted. We have made new contacts in semiconductor manufacturing, quantum technologies and deep-tech entrepreneurship. Together with code_n, we also rolled out the DeepTech Stammtisch to bring together founders, researchers, investors and industry partners working on technically ambitious companies.

Dr. Julian Lohf kicked off our joint event series at code_n to bring together the DeepTech ecosystem for future industries.

For a deep-tech startup, visibility is useful. But relevant visibility is what matters. This quarter helped us sharpen the conversations that are most valuable for the next stage.

Paris, Berlin, Karlsruhe, Nürnberg, Shanghai, Stuttgart. A lot of places, a lot of input, a lot of learnings and new links.

What comes next

After a quarter with many meetings, stages, events and first milestones, our focus for the summer is clear.

We are going back into the lab. In our case, this means into temperature-stable laboratories, focused measurement work, design iteration and technology development. (Yes, that's an advantage: labs are cooled to remain at a stable temperature — perfect environment for hot summer days ;-))

The next months will be about making the technology better. That is where the magic happens.

Thank you to everyone who supported us this quarter, through technical discussions, introductions, feedback, events, research exchange and honest questions.

We will share the next update in September.

Until then: back to the lab. Have a great summer!

Universität Stuttgart – Institut für Halbleitertechnik

Contact

Pfaffenwaldring 47

70569 Stuttgart, Deutschland

Tel: +49 711 68560896

info@geqd.de

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