QAI I FUND II Early Stage

Growing the Quantum Economy through venture-building and accelerating early-stage startups.

Our Focus Areas

Quantum Computing
Quantum Communications
Quantum Sensing
Advanced AI/ML

Sectors: Quantum Technologies (Computing, Sensing, Communication), Advanced AI/ML
Stage: Pre-seed, Seed, early stage.
Ticket Size: USD 250k - 2M.

GENERAL PARTNERS

QAI Ventures is led by General Partners with deep roots in global venture capital and a combined track record of scaling deep-tech companies to multi-billion dollar outcomes.

Michael Jackson has operated at the helm of over 200 direct investments and 60+ LP positions. As an early backer of UiPath (100x+ return) and with leadership roles at Advent International, Morgenthaler, and major Japanese LPs, he has helped build portfolios now worth over $1 trillion. He maintains direct ties with firms such as Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz, as well as with founders from OpenAI, SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Rigetti, and others.

Axel Thierauf brings 25+ years in deep-tech investing, quantum technologies, and startup leadership. He has led over 100 M&A transactions and 20+ startup exits, including an 80x return in BioNTech, and was instrumental as Chairman of IQM Quantum Computers. His portfolio includes companies such as Cynora, AMSilk, KEWAZO, and NavVis.

Together, our GPs offer:
✅ Strategic access to world-class deep-tech deal flow
✅ A rare blend of operational insight and technical excellence
✅ An active governance approach to unlock outsized outcomes

Their existing portfolios span quantum computing, AI, advanced semiconductors, robotics, and software infrastructure, fully aligned with QAI Ventures’ thesis at the frontier of computing.

Michael
Jackson

GENERAL PARTNER
LinkedIn Profile || CV

⭑ Founder, investor, mentor, and board member with decades of experience, Michael Jackson supports scientists in building innovative solutions through education, investment, and mentorship. 

⭑ Investing globally in micro & seed-stage venture capital funds. Focuses on European managers and niche markets, contributing to portfolios that include over 700 companies with multiple valuations exceeding $100 million.

Track Record:

100x EXIT RETURN HIGHLIGHT: UIPath
⭑ $2.3B+ total primary direct investments.
⭑ 3.3x realized DPI, >50 realised exits.
⭑ Total combined valuation of portfolio companies is over 1 trillion dollars.

Alexandra
Beckstein

GENERAL PARTNER
CEO QAI VENTURES
LinkedIn Profile || CV

⭑ Co-founder and CEO of QAI Ventures, investing in and accelerating quantum computing and AI startups to build a global quantum ecosystem.

⭑ Established QAI Ventures Fund I as CEO, assembling the investment team and overseeing fund strategy, deal sourcing, and portfolio management. Ensured alignment with LP interests and participated in over 15 investments in advanced computing startups.

Axel
Thierauf

GENERAL PARTNER
LinkedIn Profile || CV

⭑ Former Chairman of the Quantum Council of IQM Finland Oy, the leading Quantum Computing Company in Europe.

⭑ Quantum physicist at heart and a venture capital investor with over 25 years of experience in identifying, structuring, and nurturing deep-tech companies. His integral role in numerous success stories includes serving as a board member for over 20 venture-backed start-ups and leading various funding rounds.

Track Record:

80x EXIT RETURN HIGHLIGHT BioNTech
⭑ €1.64B total value from €551M invested across 40 early-stage companies
⭑ 8.0x gross MoM on 17 fully and partially realized exits // 30.7% IRR
⭑ 2.4x gross MoM on 14 fully realized exits // 24.0% IRR

Selection of GP Past Investments

  • Close-up of a logo with the word 'BONEC' in bold, modern font, featuring a color gradient from green to teal.
  • Logo with the word 'uPath' and the phrase 'Agentic Automation' underneath, featuring stars above the 'i' in 'uPath'.
  • The word 'SPACE' in black outlined letters with a stylized arc crossing the letter 'E' in the logo.
  • Black and white logo with the letters 'Q' and 'M'
  • A black-and-white illustration of a chessboard with a king, queen, rook, bishop, knight, and pawns, arranged for a game.
  • Man in black shirt working on a laptop in a modern office space with large windows
  • Diagram illustrating probabilities in a statistical test, labeled as 'null hypothesis' and 'alternative hypothesis' with corresponding regions of rejection and acceptance.
  • A collection of personal fitness and outdoor activity items, including a flask, sunglasses, a hat, a camera, and a pair of shorts.
  • A black circle with the words 'Air ID' in the center and Wi-Fi signal lines above the text, all in dark gray.
  • A microscopic view of a microorganism or cell
  • Rivian logo with the company name in bold black letters and a geometric emblem on the left.
  • The word 'KEWAZO' in stylized digital font on a black background.
  • Sillectra logo with stylized geometric design of stacked shapes above the company's name
  • MuleSoft logo with a circular symbol containing a stylized 'M' and the word 'MuleSoft' next to it.
  • The Doximity logo with black text and three blue curved lines above the 'd'.

FUND I PERFORMANCE

Our first fund, launched in Q2 2023, remains in its investment stage with a portfolio weighted toward Pre-Seed and Seed companies. The majority are based in Western Europe and originate from leading universities, with nearly a quarter now in the United States. The portfolio is balanced between quantum full stack development and industry-specific applications, with new investments more focused on the latter.

A slide with multiple charts displaying a portfolio overview. The first chart is a pie chart titled "Portfolio Geographical Distribution" showing percentages for North America (22%), Southern Europe (7%), Nordic Europe (15%), and Western Europe (56%). The second chart is a horizontal stacked bar titled "Portfolio Stage Composition" indicating phases: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Acquired. The third chart is a horizontal stacked bar titled "Portfolio Theme Composition" with segments labeled Software Tools, Computing Hardware, Communication, Sensing, Life Sciences, Multi-Vertical, Energy, and Finance, categorized further into development stages and industry targets.

Our fund’s performance ranks in the top decile of 2023 vintage VC funds. We achieved an early success with our investment in Multiverse, and even excluding this outlier, our IRR and TVPI remain several points above the industry median despite the Swiss Franc appreciation against major global currencies. We have also achieved two successful exits, including one that provided an early cash distribution.

Two slides with financial data. The left slide shows fund capital position details, including capital called, total capital committed, capital percentage, deployment, and NAV in CHF. The right slide compares the performance of QAI Fund I against industry benchmarks for dry powder, IRR, TVPI, and DPI, with statistics and percentages.
Line and bar graph showing portfolio valuation progress and gross multiple from July 2023 to September 2025. Blue bars represent invested amount, purple bars indicate portfolio fair value, and an orange line shows gross multiple.

PORTFOLIO NEWS

STARTUP PORTFOLIO

Click on each logo to view the startup’s one-pager. ⬇️

Black square with a white Google logo in the center.

Batch 4 One Pagers coming soon

Pexmachine logo with 'Pex' in light blue and 'machine' in dark blue text.
Qentify logo with stylized molecule design in dark blue
The word 'genora' written in black lowercase stylized font on a white background.
TO ASSETS OVERVIEW

VALUE BEYOND CAPITAL

  • Juha Riippi

    "QAI has been incredibly easy to work with - supportive, responsive, and founder-friendly. They played a key role in facilitating our round and made the due diligence process smooth and efficient. It's been a real value-add having them in our corner."

    Juha Riippi
    Co-Founder & CEO, Quanscient Oy

  • Marta Garcia Pedruelo

    "QAI Ventures joined our Series A as a key investor, bringing deep expertise in quantum and AI. Their support has been instrumental: connecting us with strategic partners, providing invaluable mentorship, and opening doors to both local and international opportunities. Their focus and ecosystem gave us both momentum and credibility at a crucial stage.”

    Marta Garcia Pedruelo
    CFO, Multiverse Computing

  • Carlos Kuchkovsky

    “QAI Ventures is key to our growth by accelerating our international expansion and actively helping us grow a strong network of ecosystem partners across three continents. Their accelerator programs are top-tier, giving us access to quantum infrastructure, business opportunities, and top-level mentors. The team combines strategic insight with real, on-the-ground support to help us build, scale, and become market leaders, and they do it with heart, energy, and true dedication.”

    Carlos Kuchkovsky
    Co-Founder & CEO, QCentroid

  • César A. Rodríguez Rosario

    "Commutator Studios took part in the second batch of the QAI Ventures accelerator program. During that time, we solidified our team, developed our commercial offering, connected with partners and customers, and raised significant funding. This helped us make great progress in all the key areas we wanted to grow, and even boosted us in areas we didn’t realize we were lacking."

    César A. Rodríguez Rosario
    Co-Founder & CEO, Commutator Studios

  • Christian Ruiz

    QAI Ventures connected us with a large network of experts and mentors who helped us in optimizing our business and financial strategy. Importantly, since the conclusion of the accelerator, we have remained in lively and regular exchanges and continue to benefit from their advice, especially with regard to fundraising. We look forward to continuing this successful cooperation!

    Christian Ruiz
    Co-Founder & CEO, Moonlight AI

LEGAL & DOCUMENTATION

Click to view / Right Click to download ⬇️

Term Sheet

Fund Structure

Startup Selection Process

QAI Ventures Company Deck

Fund One Pager

Investment Policy

Investment Memo Example

NEXT STEP

Fund first closing is estimated for the end of Q3 2026. Schedule a call to learn more and discuss the next steps.

Contact Us

QUANTUM INDUSTRY NEWS & REPORTS

∙EY Quantum Computing: The Financial Sector’s Next Asset Read Here
∙WEF Quantum Technologies: Key Strategies and Opportunities for Financial Services Leaders Read Here
∙McKinsey Quantum Technologies Monitor
∙Morgan Stanley “Quantum Computing – How Will It Impact AI?” Read Here
∙NVIDIA to Build Accelerated Quantum Computing Research Center. Read Here
∙IonQ Announces Agreement to Acquire Oxford Ionics, Accelerating Path to Pioneering Breakthroughs in Quantum Computing. Read Here
∙The Quantum Economy Annual Report (by Resonance)
∙The Quantum Insider Report: Quantum Applications Life Science
∙The Quantum Insider Report: Quantum Computing Use Cases: Finance
∙Quantum Guide to Commercial Acceleration: Energy Sectors (by Infinity)
∙Quantum Innovation Index, comparing the quantum readiness of enterprises globally.
∙NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Apologizes for His Quantum Effect. Read Here

GET TO KNOW US

Grand Opening of the QAI Ventures Accelerator in Switzerland, June 2023.

Launch event of the 3rd Quantum Accelerator Cohort in Switzerland, 2025.

CONTACT