Computing with Light – Q.ANT Wins "The Spark" Technology Award
Ten finalists demonstrate the path from technological excellence to industrial-scale production
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The Handelsblatt and the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company presented “The Spark” technology award for the eleventh time to tech startups from the DACH region. The 2026 edition centered on the theme “Scaling Deep Tech”: The search was on for companies that are translating scientifically sophisticated technologies into industrial applications and are on the verge of the next scaling step. From photonic computing and biotechnology to quantum technologies, fusion energy, and new materials, the finalists demonstrate how research can lead to economically relevant innovations. “We can invent. What’s lacking in Germany and Europe is the ability to scale up. THE SPARK’s finalists show how it’s done: They’re bringing breakthroughs from the lab into industry, under real-world conditions and with strong partners. Now it’s crucial that they grow—ideally right here in Germany,” says Andreas Venus, Managing Partner at McKinsey in Germany and Austria.
Ten startups presented their innovations live to the jury
The applicant companies went through a three-stage selection process before the ten finalists presented their pitches to the high-caliber jury. The technology award was presented during a gala evening in Munich. The following startups took first through third place:
1. Q.ANT uses light instead of electricity for its computing processes, making AI significantly more energy-efficient—all on its own production line in Stuttgart, independent of the global chip supply chain. As a spin-off of TRUMPF with existing paying customers, the company demonstrates that Europe can play a pioneering role in the next generation of data processing.
2. Proxima Fusion is developing fusion power plants based on the stellarator concept. In 2026, the Munich-based company raised 411 million euros in private capital, making it, according to its own statements, the best-funded fusion company in Europe. Through its Alpha Alliance, Proxima is working with more than 50 industrial companies and public research institutions on the technical implementation.
3. Berlin-based APHERIS enables companies and research institutions to collaboratively train AI models on sensitive data without that data ever leaving their respective locations. Through the AI Structural Biology Network—an industry consortium operated by APHERIS—major pharmaceutical companies are thus collaborating on AI models for drug discovery.
“Year after year, The Spark highlights the potential of the German startup scene. After all, the success of technological innovations depends not only on the idea itself, but also on the ability to build scalable companies with international appeal. This year’s finalists demonstrate how this can be achieved and exemplify the innovative strength that will significantly shape our competitiveness in the coming years,” says Sebastian Matthes, editor-in-chief of Handelsblatt.
Diversity Award: “Inclusive Accelerator Award”
In addition to the Technology Award, the Inclusive Accelerator Award was presented. The award recognizes impactful initiatives that sustainably strengthen the tech sector, break down structural barriers, and actively promote inclusivity.
The award originated in 2019 as an award for female founders and has since been further developed to reflect various dimensions of participation and equal opportunity in the technology and startup ecosystem.
Inklupreneur was named this year’s winner. The project supports companies in breaking down barriers for people with disabilities in the workplace and promoting inclusive employment. Through a peer-to-peer approach, people with disabilities bring their own perspectives and experiences directly into their collaboration with companies.
About THE SPARK and the Selection Process
“THE SPARK – The Technology Award” is an initiative of Handelsblatt and McKinsey. The award honors startups whose ideas have the potential to fundamentally transform their industry. The winning teams are selected through a three-stage process: screening, nomination, and jury deliberation.
The jury included Sebastian Matthes (Editor-in-Chief, Handelsblatt), Andreas Venus (Country Manager for Germany, McKinsey & Company), Sabine Bendiek (Senior Advisor for Private Equity and VC, Supervisory Board Member), Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm (Professor at the Technical University of Nuremberg (UTN) and Head of the Energy Systems and Market Design Lab, as well as a member of the German Council of Economic Experts), Sabine Scheunert (Former Managing Director, Eurocentral, Dassault Systèmes), Daniel Schall (CEO & Co-Founder, Black Semiconductor; winner of The Spark 2025), Stephan Zizala (Division President, Edge Systems, Infineon AG), Prof. Dr. Malte Brettel (Professor and Head of the Group Innovation and Entrepreneurship Group (WIN) – Center for Entrepreneurship at RWTH Aachen), Gülsah Wilke (Partner and Head of the German Office at DN Capital & Co-founder of 2hearts), Dr. Elisabeth Schrey (Venture Partner, DeepTech and Climate Fund), Thomas Oehl (General Partner, Vsquared Ventures), Klaus Michel (Managing Director, Airbus Defence and Space GmbH), Dr. Victoria Ossadnik (Chief Operating Officer, Digital and Innovation, E.ON SE), Kian Mossanen (CIO, Siemens Energy), Michael P. Unger (Lead Sovereign AI & Financial Services Clients, CE, NVIDIA)
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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