Enabling the discoveries that will define the future
Building photonic quantum computers for the next generation of computing infrastructure
Aegiq is building fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers for commercial deployment, combining deterministic photon sources and silicon photonics to deliver compact, scalable systems designed for existing HPC infrastructure.
About Aegiq
Founded in Sheffield in 2019, Aegiq builds on more than 20 years of pioneering quantum photonics research at the University of Sheffield. Since then, Aegiq has grown from its foundations in semiconductor quantum photonics into a full-stack quantum computing company, developing the hardware, system architecture and quantum-ready applications needed to turn quantum technology into deployable computing systems.
In 2025, Aegiq deployed its first photonic quantum computing system at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), marking an important step from research to real-world deployment. Today, our team is developing the technologies and systems required to scale photonic quantum computing towards fault-tolerant, commercially deployable systems.
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Leadership Team
Aegiq’s leadership combines decades of quantum expertise with the semiconductor, computing and commercial experience needed to scale quantum technology.
Scott Dufferwiel is Co-Founder and CEO of Aegiq, a quantum computing company developing scalable, fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers. Since co-founding Aegiq in 2019, Scott has led the company’s evolution from its foundations in quantum photonics to a full-stack quantum computing company, building the team and capabilities across quantum hardware, computing systems and applications.
Scott holds a PhD in Quantum Optics from the University of Sheffield and has built a career spanning fundamental science, advanced computing and the commercial deployment of AI and autonomous technologies in aerospace. He has published research in leading scientific journals, is an inventor on multiple patents and a Chartered Physicist. He is also an alumnus of the Royal Academy of Engineering Scale Up Accelerator programme.
Max is responsible for building Aegiq’s delivery organisation and enabling commercial, ecosystem and investor engagement in line with the company’s growth strategy.
A quantum physicist and Doctoral Prize Fellow turned founding entrepreneur, Max has experience across aerospace and high-end manufacturing. He brings a track record of translating deep-tech research into commercial delivery.
Max holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Sheffield and a BSc in Economics and Finance from LSE and has received multiple awards for his academic research including publication in Nature. He chairs the Defence and Security Working Group at the UK Quantum Association.
Dan is Chief Financial Officer at Aegiq, responsible for financial oversight and performance, as well as for strategic planning and risk management as the company scales.
Originally a chemist, Dan retrained as an accountant at Deloitte and has spent 20 years in finance working with high-growth, technology-led businesses, including venture capital firm Amadeus Capital Partners and systematic hedge fund Cantab Capital Partners. More recently, Dan helped university spin-out companies Xampla and Creo secure more than $30m in Seed and Series A funding as well as implementing operational and financial best practices.
Dan holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Chris is responsible for shaping product strategy, accelerating partner‑led growth, and driving market engagement to support the company’s strategic objectives.
Over a 20‑year career at Arm as a VP and GM, Chris played a key role in the company’s growth by leading business units, product management, and business development teams at scale. He has since served as CPO at Imagination Technologies and Salience Labs, guiding market and customer led product innovation across advanced silicon and systems technologies.
With deep relationships spanning semiconductors, AI, IoT, datacentre, and quantum computing, Chris brings a proven ability to turn cutting‑edge technology into commercially successful products.
Amir leads the development of scalable, reliable photonic quantum computing systems. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and has held research and engineering roles at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Samsung Semiconductors, specialising in silicon photonics, ultrafast lasers, integrated photonics and advanced semiconductor technologies.
In 2016, he founded the Cambridge-based startup Phoelex, where he pioneered ultra-energy-efficient co-packaged optics (CPO), secured approximately $20 million in funding, and led the development of record-breaking optical interconnect technologies for AI and data centre applications.
Callum is responsible for ensuring that Aegiq’s quantum computers will deliver a step change in capabilities to enable customers to innovate new technologies.
Callum has deep experience in quantum physics, with a significant body of peer- reviewed research spanning across practical quantum algorithm development to the fundamental quantum physics that drives quantum computers.
Callum holds a PhD from Heriot-Watt University and before joining Aegiq was a Fellow in Quantum Many-Body Systems at the University of Strathclyde. He has extensive experience in leading and developing highly productive technical teams to deliver on quantum focused projects for end users, including UK Government research agencies and Aerospace companies.
