Portfolio News: Commutator Studios GmbH Secures Funding for Innovative Quantum Technology
Press Release by Commutator Studios
Düsseldorf, 17.07.25 – Quantum computers can solve complex problems beyond the reach of traditional super computers. Their computational power will revolutionize many important industries: from chemistry and pharmaceuticals to finance and logistics.
However, quantum computers still face significant challenges that prevent them from scaling. Particularly, the need of understanding and managing their quantum errors represent a fundamental obstacle to practical applications.
Commutator Studios GmbH, an innovative startup based in Düsseldorf, is working on a solution to this issue. It is developing a unique Quantum Error Management Platform. This hardware-agnostic technology enables the effective management, mitigation, and compensation of quantum errors, directly addressing one of the most pressing challenges for useful software applications. The founders, Dr. César A. Rodríguez Rosario and Dr. Jan M. Knaup, met as researchers at Harvard University. Dr. Rodríguez Rosario is one of the world’s leading experts on quantum errors in quantum computing.
Commutator Studios GmbH today announces the successful completion of a €1.5 million funding round. The round was led by Backtrace Capital, a Munich-based investment firm focused on sovereign technology infrastructure and Preston-Werner Ventures—a renowned U.S. venture fund led by GitHub cofounder Tom Preston-Werner. They are joined by HBG, and Dr. Jan Goetz, CEO and cofounder of IQM Quantum Computers and a leading expert in the quantum technology space.
Dr. César A. Rodríguez Rosario, CEO and founder of Commutator Studios, emphasizes:
"The backing of such distinguished investors validates our approach to tackle the most pressing challenge in quantum computing. Our technology improves the performance and reliability of quantum software across all quantum computing platforms. This will empower quantum developers to create real-world value from quantum computing."
Dr. Jan M. Knaup, CTO of Commutator Studios, adds:
"The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in recent years allows us to free quantum software developers from repetitive, time-consuming tasks related to quantum error management. The technologies we have developed enable the creation of the data sets needed to train AI capable of generating new solutions with real economic value."
Through the combination of AI and proprietary algorithms, Commutator Studios positions itself as a leading provider in overcoming complex quantum errors. Its technology already enables results up to 20 times faster and with significantly higher accuracy. This allows computing tasks to be completed in optimal time and makes larger or more complex problems accessible.
Dr. Michael Münnix, partner and founder of Backtrace Capital, highlights:
"Commutator Studios is addressing a critical bottleneck in quantum computing with a scalable solution. Their technology is a key component in making quantum computing accessible for a wide range of industrial applications."
The participation of the highly regarded U.S. investor Preston-Werner Ventures underlines the global interest in robust, scalable developer tools.
Tom Preston-Werner, partner at Preston-Werner Ventures and GitHub cofounder, states:
“When we built GitHub, we learned that the right tool can democratize an entire field overnight. Commutator Studios’ developer-first runtime promises to bring that same openness and velocity to quantum computing.”
GitHub was acquired by Microsoft in 2018 for $7.5 billion. Preston-Werner Ventures, with its track record of investing in transformative technologies, underscores the international relevance of Commutator Studios' innovation.
Additionally, Dr. Jan Goetz of IQM Quantum Computers brings valuable industry-specific expertise and a strong network within the quantum community to the startup.
Dr. Goetz explains: “Software development for quantum computing is a bottleneck, even as hardware platforms continue to scale. I’m convinced that the team at Commutator Studios will achieve breakthrough innovations in the area of high-performance quantum software.”
Commutator Studios' ambitious growth strategy is to, following successful proof-of-concept partnerships, win over leading quantum computing providers and customers in high-growth strategic industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, and supply chains. Commutator Studios is also part of the IBM Quantum Network.
The company aims to become an indispensable building block of quantum computing infrastructure and to significantly accelerate the widespread adoption of the technology.
More information available at commutatorstudios.com.
hello@commutatorstudios.com
About Commutator Studios
Commutator Studios GmbH was founded in 2023 in Düsseldorf by Dr. César A. Rodríguez Rosario.With a team of leading experts in quantum computing, machine learning, and customer-focused product development, it provides developer tools for quantum software. Shortly after its founding, Commutator Studios secured investment from prominent angel investors. The founders participated in startup bootcamps and accelerator programs in Canada (CDL) and Switzerland (QAI Ventures). In June 2025,Commutator Studios completed a pre-seed funding round with investments from Backtrace Capital, PWV, HBG, and Dr. Jan Goetz.
About Backtrace Capital
Backtrace Capital is an early-stage venture capital fund focused on sovereign technology infrastructure and core technology components of modern products. Backtrace supports companies developing essential technology—from advanced computing architectures to AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and semiconductors. With deep technical understanding and close collaboration with founders, Backtrace helps build companies that strengthen Europe’s technological independence. More at [backtrace.vc].
About Preston-Werner Ventures
PWV is Tom Preston-Werner, David Price, and David Thyresson—entrepreneurs and technologists with a vision for a future where technological progress and human flourishing go hand in hand. They invest to help make this future a reality. Beyond capital, they bring an unparalleled network and expertise to help startups scale and reach product-market fit. More at [pwv.com].
Founders’ Background:
Dr. César A. Rodríguez Rosario, CEO
Graduated with a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico (Mayagüez), and then obtained a PhD in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin. His academic and research positions have included Harvard University, Universidad del País Vasco, and the Max Planck Institute in Hamburg. He was also selected as an IEEE keynote speaker for quantum software and served as Chief Science Officer at quantum startup before founding Commutator Studios.
Dr. Jan M. Knaup, CTO
Graduated in Physics from the University of Paderborn with a Diploma (MSc equivalent) and PhD (Dr. rer. nat.). After research at Harvard University, EPFL (Switzerland), and the University of Bremen, he transitioned to the chemical industry, where he gained nearly a decade of experience as a product developer, research- and project manager. He joined Commutator Studios as cofounder.
