PQShield Expands Boardroom to Drive Growth Into 2025
Portfolio - People | Dec 12, 2024 | oxford sciences innovation
PQShield, backed by Oxford Sciences Innovation, has expanded its boardroom with key appointments to bolster its strategic growth plans into 2025. Antonio J. Viana joins as Non-Executive Director, along with new strategic advisors Mike Muller, Rose Schooler, and Ian Drew, each bringing extensive experience in semiconductors and technology. This boardroom expansion aligns with PQShield's aim to scale operations globally in response to the burgeoning demand for post-quantum cryptography (PQC), particularly as industry bodies prepare to issue guidelines for PQC deployment. PQShield has been at the forefront of PQC adoption, having raised $37 million in Series B funding in 2024 to develop NIST-compliant silicon test chips and enhance global sales, now led by Janssen Liston. The strategic push comes as sectors like networking and semiconductors begin to integrate NIST's cryptographic standards. CEO Ali El Kaafarani emphasizes the company's readiness to establish industry-standard PQC solutions globally.
Sectors
- Technology
- Cybersecurity
- Semiconductors
Geography
- United Kingdom – PQShield is a British-based tech company and has been working with European bodies for the adoption of PQC standards.
- United States – The article discusses interactions with US agencies and NIST, indicating significant operations and collaborations in the US.
- Europe – PQShield interacts with European government agencies on cryptographic standards, underscoring its operations within Europe.
Industry
- Technology – The article primarily concerns companies involved in technological advancements, particularly in cryptographic standards and semiconductor sectors.
- Cybersecurity – The focus on post-quantum cryptography and developing secure hardware solutions indicates relevance to the cybersecurity industry.
- Semiconductors – The involvement of semiconductor experts and the development of NIST-compliant silicon chips highlight the article's relevance to the semiconductor field.
Financials
- 37,000,000 – Amount raised in Series B funding to expand PQShield's operations.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PQShield | Target | Company | A tech company focused on developing post-quantum cryptography solutions. |
| Oxford Sciences Innovation | PE Firm | Company | Private equity firm backing PQShield's strategic growth. |
| Antonio J. Viana | Non-Executive Director | Person | Newly appointed Non-Executive Director with a background in semiconductors. |
| Mike Muller | Strategic Advisor | Person | New strategic advisor, co-founder, and former CTO of Arm. |
| Rose Schooler | Strategic Advisor | Person | Board member at Arm, appointed as a strategic advisor at PQShield. |
| Ian Drew | Strategic Advisor | Person | Former chairman at Foundries.io, joining as a strategic advisor. |
| Ali El Kaafarani | CEO | Person | Founder and CEO of PQShield. |
| Janssen Liston | Vice President of Global Sales | Person | Newly promoted VP of Global Sales at PQShield. |