Lancaster University spin out Quantum Base to float on the London Stock Exchange

By Rob Kelly

19 Mar 2025

The authentication process to identify printed tags uses existing smartphone technology

Lancaster University spin out Quantum Base has announced plans to float on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

The company is seeking to raise £3m to £5m from new institutional and other shareholders, which will be used for product development and new key commercial and operational hires.

Founded by Lancaster Physics Professor Rob Young, Quantum Base is creating a new global standard in authentication through its patented Quantum Identity which harnesses randomness at the atomic level, ensuring a virtually infinite number of combinations.

The Q-ID can be applied to a vast array of products, significantly mitigating counterfeiting which is estimated to cost businesses and tax authorities at least $2.8 trillion in lost revenue per year. Traditional solutions such as holograms, taggants and security inks are often susceptible to replication and are expensive to produce.

Tom Taylor, chief executive officer of Quantum Base, said: “I’m delighted to announce our intention to seek admission of Quantum Base on AIM, in doing so, providing the London market with the opportunity to share in our growth, future development and success. As a UK-based company and a British scientific success story, floating in London was the obvious choice for us.

“This is a very exciting time for Quantum Base. For over a decade, we have been developing our patented Q-ID solution – a quantum-secure tag that is virtually impossible to replicate or clone.

“As the first innovation of its kind to be easily integrated with the most common printing methods and quickly authenticated with a smartphone, it has been vital for us to maintain independence and credibility so that we can grow our solution in a sustainable manner.

"We believe that floating on AIM will provide us with this independence, whilst also enabling us to leverage access to a world-leading market and potential investor base.”

Professor Rob Young, founder of Quantum Base, said: “I am incredibly excited about the future of Quantum Base and immensely proud of our achievements to date. Our Quantum Identity solution, now with over 500 million units produced, has incredible potential to benefit society by protecting industries, governments, and consumers from the damaging impacts of counterfeiting.

"Listing on the London Stock Exchange is a critical next step for our company's future growth and development. Quantum Base has an exceptional team behind it, and I believe passionately that this is just the beginning of our journey towards setting a new global standard in authentication technology.”

Quantum Base’s commercialisation drive is based on a “design and licence” model. In its first stage of commercialisation, the company has signed two framework agreements with leading security printers including for tax stamps. The company is also confident that Quantum Identity can be applied to postage stamps, banknotes, clothing, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, aerospace parts and more.

"The authentication process to identify printed tags uses existing smartphone technology, providing easy authentication and proven security for global brands, governments and consumers.

Tom Taylor, chief executive officer of Quantum Base, said: “I would like to extend my thanks to our existing stakeholders and partners for their continued support, and I look forward to welcoming new investors as we continue on this exciting journey of establishing a new global standard in authentication.”

Dion Williams, Lancaster University director of research, enterprise and innovation said: “Quantum Base, now poised to become the first Lancaster spin-out to reach IPO, serves as a strong example of how university-driven innovation can fuel economic growth.

"This achievement underscores Lancaster University’s contribution to the UK’s goal of building productive spin-out ecosystems, as outlined in the Independent Review of University Spin-Out Companies, which emphasises the importance of universities in fostering public-private partnerships to turn research into practical solutions.

"By remaining based at Lancaster’s C-TAP co-working facilities, Quantum Base is creating high-value jobs, driving regional economic development, and reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in the global quantum technology sector.”

Jess Wenmouth, head of research commercialisation at Lancaster University, said: “Lancaster University is at the forefront of quantum research, driving innovation in areas like quantum materials, nanotechnology, and quantum information science.

"With the support of UK Research and Innovation, the university is dedicated to turning its research into practical products and services that drive economic growth both regionally and nationally.

"This success is just one example of the many emerging from Lancaster University, where our focus on commercialising research continues to play a pivotal role in building thriving spin-out ecosystems that fuel innovation and contribute to economic growth across the UK.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin