Sparrow Quantum names new CEO
Sparrow Quantum has appointed founder Peter Lodahl as CEO to lead the development of scalable photonic quantum computing technology.
Sparrow Quantum has appointed its founder and former Chief Quantum Officer, Professor Peter Lodahl, as chief executive officer, marking a new phase in the company’s development of photonic quantum technology.
Lodahl succeeds Kurt Stokbro, who led the company’s growth from a research spin-out into a commercial quantum technology business. Stokbro will remain involved as an executive advisor and board member.
The leadership transition comes as Sparrow Quantum shifts its focus from developing and delivering its quantum photonic chip technology towards integrating, controlling and connecting quantum light sources within larger computing systems.
The company aims to address technical challenges associated with scaling photonic quantum architectures for fault-tolerant computing.
Founded as a spin-out from the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen, Sparrow Quantum specialises in deterministic photonics, with technology designed to generate high-quality quantum light reliably and on demand.
Its next development phase will focus on incorporating these capabilities into scalable quantum computing systems while managing hardware complexity.
“Having developed and delivered its quantum photonic chip technology, Sparrow Quantum will now focus on the integration, control, and connection of reliable quantum light within larger computing systems,” the company said.
Lodahl will be supported by a strengthened executive team, including Chief Commercial Officer Anne-Marie Engtoft Meldgaard, Vice President of Finance Andreas Olesen, and Chief Technology and Operations Officer Larissa Vertchenko. Meldgaard joined the company in May, while Vertchenko has been promoted to her new role.
The company has also established a Scientific Advisory Board to provide external guidance on its technical roadmap. Its members bring expertise in integrated photonics, quantum computing architectures and fault tolerance.
The changes are intended to support Sparrow Quantum as it works towards photonic architectures for future quantum computing systems and quantum interconnects.
The company said its priorities include generating, controlling and connecting photons without creating excessive hardware requirements.
The appointment places the company's scientific founder at the helm as it moves from quantum photonic chip development towards the broader system integration required for scalable quantum computing.
