PQA Case study

Intertangle:
Entanglement-Enabled Security for Data Centres

Project Team

Dr Natalia Herrera Valencia (PI)
Dr Joseph Ho
Prof Mehul Malik

Heriot-Watt University,
Institute of Photonics and Quantum Technologies

Entanglement, a quantum phenomenon, can be used to ensure secure communications in data centres of the future. The Photonics & Quantum Accelerator (PQA) provided funding to Dr. Natalia Herrera Valencia and her team at Heriot-Watt University to create a working prototype that could be tested in a real data centre – an essential step toward developing a production-ready device. Following very positive feedback, the team is now progressing towards spinning out a company, Intertangle.

The challenge

Quantum technologies promise ultra-secure communication, new forms of computing, and advanced sensing—with extensive implications for sectors like telecoms, defence, finance, and healthcare. But today’s quantum systems are often complex, fragile, and hard to use outside research labs. Robust systems that can be integrated into existing communications networks are needed for quantum technologies to be used in the real world.

The response

PQA funding supported the time of researchers to deliver a prototype of multimodal quantum entanglement hardware, capable of generating and distributing entangled photons using both polarisation and spatial modes. Funding enabled testing in a live environment at BT’s Adastral Park. This demonstrated the robustness of the system outside the lab and advanced the technology from TRL 2 to TRL 4-5.

Outcomes and impact

These advances lay the groundwork for a Heriot-Watt University spin-out, Intertangle, to bring this technology to market.

  • Advanced IP strategy
    A patent has been drafted and filed covering the system architecture, securing the foundation for its future spinout.
  • Prototype demonstration
    Discussions with new partners and customers in telecom and networking have been initiated, influencing Intertangle’s business strategy and future product requirements. Successful delivery advanced the company through the Scottish Enterprise High-Growth Spinout Programme and secured substantial follow-on funding for further development. These results underscore the project’s technical and commercial impact and strengthen Intertangle’s route to market ahead of company formation.
  • Continued engagement
    Intertangle is continuing to engage with BT, NPL, Vodafone, Equinix, and Adtran, will de-risk adoption challenges and inform product refinement.
  • Funding strategies
    The strategy has evolved based on outputs from the PQA project. Before spinout, Intertangle will leverage public funding sources such as Innovate UK, NQTP, ERC PoC, and EIC Transition awards. UKRI Proof of concept funding has been awarded to a value of £248,000. After spinout, the company plans to secure venture capital and strategic investors to drive commercialisation, targeting early revenue from pilot deployments and a Series A round of £15M by 2028-2030. These steps translate PQA outputs into technical and commercial impact while maximising the likelihood of successful market adoption.