The University of Bari spin-off, led by Prof. Lucivero, advances its in-house fab setup at TecnoPolis and signs a research agreement with INRiM to validate integrated atomic vapor cells.
BARI, Italy – September 28, 2026 – QSENSATO Srl, a deep-tech startup and spin-off of the University of Bari Aldo Moro pioneering advanced atomic vapor cells and quantum sensors, today announced that it has executed a new € 1 million SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) investment round led by Quantonation and Deep Ocean Capital SGR.
This financing round marks a major step forward in the startup’s growth strategy, further consolidating a Cap Table that already features early-stage investors including LIFTT (an Italian venture capital firm focused on deep-tech) and Quantum Italia (a strategic initiative established by Quantonation and Scientifica Venture Capital).
Adding to this momentum, QSENSATO was recently honored with the prestigious Quantum Effects Award 2026 in the Quantum Sensors category, recognizing its groundbreaking work on compact atomic-photonic chips. The official award ceremony will take place during the Quantum Effects exhibition on 6 October 2026 in Stuttgart.
Accelerating the In-House Fab at TecnoPolis
Thanks to the fast private liquidity provided by this round, the investment will contribute directly to the ongoing capital expenditure for setting up an in-house fabrication facility (fab) at the company’s new operational site at the TecnoPolis Science and Technology Park (Valenzano, Bari), set to become operational by the end of the year. This infrastructure development complements and amplifies funding already awarded through competitive projects including TecnoNidi (Puglia Sviluppo), D3-4 Health (National Grant from Sapienza University) and ESA OSIP & ESA BIC of the European Space Agency (ESA).
To support this operational growth, the company is also continuing targeted hiring efforts across its R&D, engineering, administrative, and managerial functions.
Research Agreement with INRiM & Key Market Applications
On the technological front, QSENSATO recently signed a strategic research agreement with Italy’s National Institute of Metrological Research (INRiM) in Turin. The collaboration aims to accelerate the validation of QSENSATO’s patented fabrication process for integrated atomic vapor cells—a critical quantum enabling technology for quantum sensing and metrology applications.
These atomic vapor cells serve as the core engine for quantum sensors such as magnetometers, atomic frequency references, and radio-frequency (RF) sensors. These devices address critical demands across strategic market segments, including medical diagnostics, materials characterization, infrastructural and spatial monitoring, and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) applications.
“Quantum sensing has produced extraordinary science, but scaling that science into products that can be manufactured reliably remains a major challenge. Gianvito and the QSENSATO team understand that the next breakthrough is not simply better sensor performance, but making that performance repeatable, manufacturable and commercially viable. That combination of scientific depth and industrial focus is what makes QSENSATO particularly compelling.”
— Raphaël Bodin, VC Associate at Quantonation
“Deep Ocean Capital’s investment in QSENSATO reflects our mission to back high-impact scientific and technological innovations. The combination of strong academic roots, an in-house manufacturing hub at TecnoPolis, and key collaborations like the one with INRiM positions QSENSATO as a strategic player in quantum sensing for PNT, medical diagnostics, and critical infrastructure monitoring.”
— Emilia Garito, Chairman at Deep Ocean Capital SGR
“This €1 million SAFE investment is a strong vote of confidence from premier international investors like Quantonation and Deep Ocean Capital SGR, alongside our historical backers LIFTT and Quantum Italia. The new private liquidity directly accelerates the setup of our in-house fab at TecnoPolis, complementing the TecnoNidi project from Puglia Sviluppo, while boosting the industrial production of quantum hardware components for global quantum sensing and metrology markets.”
— Prof. Vito Giovanni Lucivero, CEO of QSENSATO
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About the Companies
● QSENSATO S.r.l.: A deep-tech startup and spin-off of the University of Bari specializing in quantum sensing technologies, delivering ultra-precise measurement tools for next-generation industrial applications.
● Quantonation: The leading international venture capital fund dedicated to quantum technologies and Deep Physics.
● Deep Ocean Capital SGR: is an asset management company specialized in venture capital. Through its inaugural fund, Deep Blue Ventures (DBV), and the parallel Deep Blue Ventures Space fund, the company supports Deep Tech enterprises capable of transforming scientific research into industrial infrastructure, thereby contributing to the development of European technological sovereignty rooted in knowledge, competitiveness, and security. Deep Blue Ventures and Deep Blue Ventures Space focus on the aerospace, healthcare, and sustainability sectors, with a particular emphasis on technologies such as artificial intelligence, photonics, cybersecurity, and quantum computing.
● LIFTT: is a Venture Capital operating with a multi-vertical approach in key technological industries: Critical Resources, Human Health & Aging, Infrastructure for Data Revolution, Energy Security and Industrial Automation. To date it has completed 60 investments in innovative start-ups, positioning itself as a key player in the European VC ecosystem.
● Quantum Italia: The first Italian investment vehicle dedicated to quantum technologies, created through a partnership between Scientifica Venture Capital and Quantonation.
● INRiM: National Institute for Metrological Research, which creates, maintains, and guarantees the legal validity of the national measurement standards. Furthermore, it promotes scientific research and technology transfer to support industry, research, and the quality of life for citizens.
Media Contacts
QSENSATO S.r.l.
Email: info@qsensato.com
Website: https://qsensato.com/