QDI Systems, a cutting-edge DeepTech company based in Groningen, has secured a major financial boost to expand its quantum dot (QD) technology for X-ray and shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging. The company announced today that it has received a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC), with the potential to access up to €7.5 million through additional equity financing.
This investment comes at a crucial moment as QDI Systems gears up to accelerate industrial prototyping. The company’s technology is already gaining traction in both consumer electronics and medical imaging, with customers preparing to integrate it into new products.
“The timing is critical for accelerating our industrial prototyping capabilities, as our customers in both consumer technology and medical imaging sectors are preparing to launch products incorporating our technology. This investment will enable us to meet their immediate needs while scaling our production capabilities,” said Artem Shulga, CEO and Founder of QDI Systems.
He further emphasized that developing and manufacturing this innovative technology within Europe strengthens the continent’s semiconductor ecosystem and ensures it remains a leader in advanced imaging solutions.
Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Groningen, QDI Systems has made rapid strides in the field of imaging technology. Led by physicist and Ph.D. holder Artem Shulga, the company has built a team of 17 specialists, many of whom have expertise in nanoscience and chemistry.
QDI Systems is pioneering the application of QD technology in X-ray and SWIR imaging, offering solutions that significantly enhance image quality while reducing radiation exposure. According to the company, they are the first in the world to apply QDs in medical X-ray imaging, a breakthrough that could revolutionize diagnostics.
The demand for improved imaging technology is growing, particularly in medical diagnostics and consumer electronics. Despite the widespread use of imaging systems, existing technologies face serious limitations. Traditional X-ray detectors often deliver subpar image quality, leading to high false-positive rates in mammography and excessive radiation exposure. Similarly, SWIR imaging, which has significant potential in both medical and consumer applications, remains hindered by high costs and poor resolution.
QDI Systems is tackling these challenges by harnessing the power of quantum dots tiny semiconductor nanoparticles that efficiently convert photons into electronic signals. Their QD-based imaging devices promise a leap forward in accuracy, efficiency, and affordability.
While medical imaging remains a core focus, the applications of QDI’s technology extend far beyond healthcare. Industrial sorting processes, security imaging, and even consumer devices like facial recognition systems can all benefit from the advancements made in QD-based imaging. By leveraging this latest investment, QDI Systems aims to scale production and cement European leadership in imaging hardware innovation.
This latest funding round from the EIC builds on previous investments totaling €6.6 million. Investors such as NOM the Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands, Carduso Capital, RuG Ventures, and Maki.vc have already backed the company, recognizing the disruptive potential of its technology.
With its growing customer base having expanded tenfold in the past year alone QDI Systems is well-positioned to bring quantum dot imaging into the mainstream. The company’s continued focus on innovation, scalability, and European manufacturing leadership makes it a key player in the next generation of imaging solutions.
