A Sheffield company, spun out of the University of Sheffield in 2019, building photonic quantum computing and secure communications hardware.
Aegiq makes the light sources that photonic quantum technology depends on. In a photonic quantum computer, information is carried by single particles of light, called photons, and each photon needs to be identical to the others. Aegiq produces patented semiconductor chips that emit single photons, based on quantum dots, tiny pieces of semiconductor that behave like artificial atoms. It combines these sources with photonic integrated circuits, chips that guide light, to build a hybrid system that can be scaled up. It says its work applies to quantum computing, quantum simulation, secure communications and defence.
Aegiq was founded in December 2019 as a University of Sheffield spin-out, drawing on two decades of research led by Professors Maurice Skolnick in physics and Jon Heffernan in electronic and electrical engineering. Dr Max Sich is chief executive, Dr Scott Dufferwiel is chief technology officer and Andrii Iamshanov is chief financial officer. The company states its aim as to build a utility-scale and commercially viable quantum computing platform. It also delivers quantum computers to national facilities: the trade press has reported a photonic quantum computer for the NQCC.
Aegiq's UK base is Sheffield. In June 2026 it opened a new corporate headquarters in the city, which it describes as a centre of excellence for scaling its full-stack quantum hardware platform, with a multi-million-pound investment over five years and new engineering, graduate and early-career jobs in South Yorkshire. It has also extended its work with the National Epitaxy Facility, an EPSRC-funded service at the University of Sheffield that grows the semiconductor layers its chips need. The company links the expansion to the UK government's £2 billion national quantum programme.
We did not find staff numbers or a description of company culture. The company's story is firmly tied to Sheffield, and the University of Sheffield's own pages present it as an example of research becoming a company. Beyond that the public material is mostly business announcements, so treat any impression of working life with caution.
A photonic hardware company needs semiconductor and materials scientists, optical engineers, electronics engineers, software developers and technicians who run clean-room and test equipment, as well as commercial and finance staff. It is also a chance to work in quantum technology outside the south-east of England. Aegiq's website lists current roles.
Website: aegiq.com
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