Our story
At Aquark Technologies, we are driven by a singular, unified goal: To build miniaturised quantum devices that are more accessible and affordable so that quantum technology can move from laboratories into everyday applications.
Breakthrough quantum technology
We're supporting critical industries by making breakthrough quantum technology work in the real world. We build and deliver miniaturised quantum devices that are small enough, robust enough, and cost-effective enough to transform how the world computes, communicates, and senses.
Aquark was the first DIANA cohort company, and the first quantum technology company, to receive investment from the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), alongside support and investment from Innovate UK, EIFO, UKI2S (managed by Future Planet Capital), and MBDA. We are paving the way for a sovereign European quantum supply chain and helping to protect the critical infrastructure underpinning the security of businesses and nations.
Through groundbreaking world-first trials, our cold-atom-based quantum hardware has withstood operational conditions across air, sea, and underwater environments, proving real-world stability in scenarios that challenge conventional quantum systems.
Efficiency is in our DNA - we’re used to making a big impact with fewer resources, so all of our technology is built with purpose. With over a decade of research and a dedicated team of specialists behind us, we consistently go above and beyond for our partners who trust us because we deliver.
Team
Andrei Dragomir
Co-Founder and CEO
Andrei Dragomir is the co-founder and CEO of Aquark Technologies, where he leads Aquark’s mission to transform quantum technologies from complex laboratory systems into practical, scalable solutions for the real world.
With a background in experimental quantum physics, his research and entrepreneurial vision laid the foundation for Aquark's technical advantages, allowing us to push the boundaries of what’s possible with quantum systems. He guides the company's strategy, partnerships, and product development, ensuring that innovations in quantum sensing, navigation, and timing translate into tangible impact across industries, while leading us towards a future where quantum technologies are accessible and embedded into the fabric of everyday life.
Alexander Jantzen
Co-Founder and COO
Alexander Jantzen, Aquark’s co founder and COO, received the honour of being selected as one of the ‘Quantum 100’ in UNESCO’s International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025. This honour highlights just 100 standout individuals from across the world who are driving real progress in quantum technologies. Alex’s impact is truly shaping the future of the field.
A physicist by training, he holds a PhD in Optoelectronics and a Master’s in Experimental Research, with additional training from the European Space Agency. Recognised as a leader in the photonics community, Alex was named in the ‘Photonics 100’ in 2024 and continues to serve as an active Optica Ambassador. His prior experience spans both major defence organisations, such as Leonardo, and high-growth startups like Lumenisity (acquired by Microsoft in 2022).
At Aquark, Alex combines scientific passion with societal purpose to develop technology that doesn’t just push boundaries but performs where it matters most. He leads the deployment of quantum sensor systems in challenging real-world environments, including recent successful commercial and defence trials, while overseeing operations, finance, and the execution of our strategic mission.
Jonathan Woods
Chief Technology Officer
Jonathan joined Aquark at the beginning of our journey as the first member of staff following six years in academia. He holds a PhD in experimental physics and has expertise in ultrafast semiconductor lasers, photonics, nonlinear optics, photonic integrated circuits, and laser frequency stabilisation.
Bridging the gap between fundamental science and production, Jonathan leads the design and development of ruggedised and miniaturised complex scientific systems from scientific principle to mature prototypes, suitable for deployment and trial in real world environments.
To date, Jonathan has been responsible for the design and delivery of the worlds first fully untethered drone trial of a complete cold atom system, the cold-atom atomic clock AQlock, the highly miniaturised spectroscopy module AQurate, and the ongoing development of the miniaturised cold-atom system AQuest.
Matt Himsworth
Chief Scientific Officer
Matt joined Aquark Technologies as Chief Scientific Officer in spring 2024 to continue his longstanding focus on unshackling quantum technology from the laboratory and making the science available to everyone. Matt brings a wealth of quantum experience to the team, having previously been co-PI in the first phase of the Sensing and Time Quantum Technology Hub and a quantum technology adviser to the NATO SET panel. Before joining Aquark, Matt spent five years helping to set up and run the Dstl's quantum laboratory, where he built on his experience in designing and building nearly all types of quantum sensors.
Jonathan Emery
Head of Commercial Operations
Jonathan joined Aquark off the back of a successful career in the British Army and the aerospace industry. As our Head of Commercial Operations, Jonathan's priority is ensuring our products meet customer needs at the right time, price, and form factor. He acts as the bridge that ties together the user's ambitions and hopes with everything that Aquark's technology can make possible.
Head of Strategy
Dr Josephine Tavassoli is Head of Strategy at Aquark Technologies. She draws on her breadth of experience to shape strategy, build partnerships and support the company’s continued growth.
A physical chemist by training, Jo completed her PhD at the University of Southampton and spent a decade in interdisciplinary research management there, including managing a £6m EPSRC programme grant focused on electrodeposited semiconductors.
At Ordnance Survey, she led commercial strategy for government growth, identifying proofs of concept for new product development and negotiating with central government departments. Her portfolio included positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), national infrastructure and autonomous vehicle programmes. She later designed OS’s organisation-wide Insights Service, pioneering agentic AI for market intelligence.
Jo is a Chartered Manager and holds an Executive MBA from Henley Business School, both with Distinction. Her MBA research examined how socioeconomic background shapes employees’ experience of workplace culture, and she chaired Ordnance Survey’s Women’s Network.
