BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 22, 2026--
RhymeQ, a startup making quantum computers accessible to software developers across the world, has raised a $2.2 million pre-seed round led by Ground State Ventures, with participation from Vanagon Ventures, Plug and Play, and Freiraum Ventures.
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Quantum computers promise to solve significant problems and expand the reach of supercomputing and AI, for instance in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, finance, or manufacturing. However, coding for a quantum computer currently requires a PhD in quantum physics. Relatively few people globally are currently capable of that.
RhymeQ has developed Rhyme, a new abstraction layer that allows every developer with basic Python skills to code for quantum. The actual coding is familiar and conventional, while the company’s compilers handle the translation for quantum computers. What’s more, it’s compatible across multiple quantum processors, with no hardware lock-in.
“We are on a mission to make quantum computers programmable by every developer on the planet,” says RhymeQ founder and CEO Daniel Volz. “While vibe coding is taking over the classical programming world, the situation is not so simple in the quantum world. Quantum circuits can only be debugged by PhD-level physicists. With Rhyme, any programmer can both develop and debug production-ready code to run on quantum computers at enterprise level.”
Volz previously led quantum computing initiatives for McKinsey and BASF and co-founded quantum startup Kipu Quantum. He co-founded RhymeQ in 2026 with CTO Tamás Varga and COO Christina Wu. Varga, the inventor of Rhyme, spent more than 15 years as a software engineer at Swiss Re and UBS. RhymeQ is based in Karlsruhe, Germany and Zürich, Switzerland.
Kris Kaczmarek, Partner at Ground State Ventures, says: “While the gap between quantum algorithms and hardware is closing fast, we keep hearing ‘who cares if no one knows how to use them’. This is the gap RhymeQ is closing. And there's no one who understands this better than Daniel Volz, who's seen both sides of the equation, whether it was implementing quantum for chemistry at BASF or providing quantum solutions at Kipu Quantum.”
Funds will be used to grow the engineering team, build out Rhyme’s enterprise platform, and grow a worldwide community of Rhyme developers. RhymeQ will also partner with quantum hardware companies to integrate their existing software libraries with Rhyme.
RhymeQ comes out of stealth today at NVIDIA GTC Berlin, where Daniel Volz will unveil Rhyme at the NVIDIA Inception startup pitch session. RhymeQ is a member of NVIDIA Inception, NVIDIA's program for cutting-edge startups. Rhyme compiles directly to the NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform, so the same code runs on GPU-accelerated quantum simulators and on real quantum processors from a range of hardware providers.
From today, the first developers on the RhymeQ waitlist get free access to the Rhyme compiler and the Rhyme developer community, with further invitations rolling out in the coming weeks.
Developers can join the waitlist at www.rhymeq.com
RhymeQ's founding team
PRAGUE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 22, 2026--
EOS Defence Systems (EOS) and VOP CZ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Future Forces Forum in Prague to explore cooperation on wheeled armoured vehicle programmes for the Czech Army and other future defence projects in the Czech Republic and Europe where VOP CZ is involved.
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The agreement brings together EOS' expertise in advanced remote weapon systems (RWS) with VOP CZ's established capabilities in military vehicle integration, production and sustainment.
The companies will assess how their technologies and industrial capabilities could support the Czech Army’s requirements, while identifying opportunities to collaborate on other defence programmes.
EOS' RWS are world-leading, operationally proven, and are in use with militaries from Australia, the Middle East, North America, Europe, and South-East Asia. Renowned for their accuracy and reliability, they offer superior firepower and protection across a wide range of missions, including the increasingly critical role of C-UAS defence. EOS has sold more than 2,500 systems globally, with its RWS deployed and proven in current conflict zones.
VOP CZ is a major state-owned Czech defence enterprise specialising in military vehicle development, production, integration and sustainment. Its established industrial capabilities include a partnership with BAE Systems Hägglunds for the domestic assembly and production of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, and strategic cooperation with Thales to manufacture Bushmaster armoured vehicles. VOP CZ also develops special-purpose platforms, including the TAROS robotic vehicle, demonstrating its continued commitment to support the Czech Army’s operational requirements.
Dr. Andreas Schwer, Chief Executive Officer of EOS, said: “This agreement represents an important step in EOS' continued growth in Europe and reflects our commitment to building strong industrial partnerships in key markets. VOP CZ has established itself as a trusted partner on major Czech programmes and brings valuable vehicle integration and manufacturing expertise. Together, we will explore opportunities to deliver critical capabilities to customers in the Czech Republic and Europe.”
Vlastimil Navrátil, Managing Director, VOP CZ, said: “I am very pleased to see the start of this new partnership with EOS. Both of our organizations bring valuable expertise and capabilities, and I am confident that this cooperation will lead to successful initiatives that support and strengthen the Czech Republic and Europe’s collective defense and security.”
ABOUT ELECTRO OPTIC SYSTEMS (ASX: EOS)
Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has designed, manufactured and exported advanced technology systems for more than 40 years. EOS operates in two divisions, Defence Systems and Space Systems. EOS Defence Systems offers remote weapon systems, high energy laser weapons, UAS interceptors, and integrated counter-UAS and command-and-control (C2) systems, including MARSS’ AI-enabled NiDAR platform. EOS Space Systems applies EOS-developed optical sensors and effectors to detect, track and characterise objects in space.
Learn more atwww.eos-aus.com
ABOUT VOP CZ
VOP CZ is a Czech state-owned enterprise founded in 1946. It provides repairs, maintenance, modernization, and development of ground-based military equipment for both the Czech Armed Forces and the armed forces of other NATO member states. It currently employs approximately 550 people. In collaboration with the German company Rheinmetall, it repairs Leopard 2A4 tanks and welds armored cabins for the global company KNDS. As part of the partnership with BAE Systems Hägglunds, it is responsible for the domestic assembly and production of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.
Learn more atwww.vop.cz
The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) is a 4x4 armored infantry mobility vehicle designed by Thales Defence Australia, with licenced production to VOP CZ
VOP CZ's TAROS is an autonomous and remote-controlled robotic ground vehicle designed for military logistics and support missions
EOS and VOP CZ sign a Memorandum of Understanding at Future Forces Forum in Prague. Left to right: Martin van de Voorde, Sales Director Europe, EOS; Vlastimil Navrátil, Managing Director, VOP CZ; Pavla Ungrová, Sales Director, VOP CZ; Rear Admiral Richard Caton, Australia’s Military Representative to NATO and the EU; Group Captain Michael Schleeman, Australia’s Defence Attaché; and Matej Pupák, Program Lead, VOP CZ.
