Akula Tech
Satellite-bus partner on QEYnet's CSA-funded space technology demonstration mission to test low-cost Earth-to-space QKD (2025).
QEYnet
QuantumSpaceSemiconductors & PhotonicsMaple, ON
Develops microsatellite-based quantum key distribution systems that exchange encryption keys between satellites and ground stations, securing communications against quantum-computer attacks.
Canadian innovation builds a brighter tomorrow.
About
Source: qeynet.comQEYnet states its mission as “a global, low-cost, microsatellite-enabled quantum key distribution network”, founding “a new era of ultra-secure communication.” It explains that QKD “uses the quantum nature of individual photons to create encryption keys that are mathematically proven to be impervious to undetected eavesdropping”, but that beyond 100 km “transmission losses make fiber-optic QKD transmission impossible” — so its “solution to the quantum computing threat is to make QKD globally available by satellite.” The company says it “was founded in 2016 by spacecraft engineers and quantum communication experts” and uses “a space-based QKD payload developed by our cofounders at the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing”.
Awarded $1.4M by the Canadian Space Agency to demonstrate low-cost Earth-to-space quantum key distribution in orbit, with partners Akula Tech and C-CORE (January 2025). spaceq.ca
Delivered its first free-space QKD system to the National Research Council of Canada via the Innovative Solutions Canada program (December 2024). qeynet.com
Participates in a University of Waterloo-led QKD networks project awarded nearly $3M by DND/CAF through the IDEaS program — a project-wide figure, not QEYnet-specific (March 2024). qeynet.com
Partnerships
Publicly announced partnerships.
C-CORE
Partner on QEYnet's CSA-funded space technology demonstration mission for quantum key distribution (2025).
University of Waterloo (Institute for Quantum Computing)
QKD development collaboration; Waterloo leads the IDEaS-funded 'Reliable and Agile QKD Networks and Beyond' project QEYnet participates in.
Government & Grants
Government support actually received. Unpublished amounts are left out.
Canadian Space Agency — Space Technology Development Program, QKD demonstration mission with Akula Tech and C-CORE ($1.4M contribution)
2025spaceq.caCanadian Space Agency — class grant and contribution program for space science and technology, five agreements 2020–2024 totalling $1.58M per the federal grants register
NRC IRAP — published contributions of $69,000 (2021) and $50,825 (2026) per the federal grants register
Innovative Solutions Canada — delivered QEYnet's first free-space QKD system to the National Research Council
2024qeynet.comDND IDEaS — participant in the University of Waterloo–led 'Reliable and Agile QKD Networks and Beyond' project
2024qeynet.com
Recent News
- Jun 26, 2025Partnership
Light Bridges and QEYnet Partner to Pioneer Quantum-Secure Communications Between Earth and Space
Light Bridges and QEYnet partnered to develop and demonstrate satellite quantum key distribution, starting with satellite-tracking trials.
- Jan 21, 2025Government
Canadian Space Agency Awards Over $970,000 to QEYnet for Quantum Key Distribution Technology
The Canadian Space Agency awarded QEYnet over C$1.4M (about US$970,000 — the same award in both currencies) to develop Earth-to-space quantum key distribution.
People
Sourced from the company's own pages or announcements.
Cordell Grant
Co-founder & CEO
Thomas Jennewein
Co-founder & Chief Scientist
Brendon Higgins
Co-founder & Chief Architect
Technology Focus
Company site: qeynet.comTerms the company uses about its own work.
Quantum key distributionSatellite QKD payloadsQuantum photonicsMicrosatellites
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