Xairos

Market position

Xairos positions itself as a provider of GNSS-independent, quantum-based alternative PNT and enterprise timing, addressing vulnerabilities in GPS such as jamming and spoofing. It is categorized among quantum communications, quantum sensing, atomic clock and space quantum companies, and has been named a top innovator in the World Economic Forum's "Quantum for Society" Challenge.

The company's stated differentiator is its patented Quantum Time Transfer protocol, which it says delivers timing accuracy about 1,000 times better than GPS with inherent security against jamming and spoofing, deployable across both space and fiber infrastructure and extensible toward a broader entanglement network.

Technology

The core technology is Quantum Time Transfer / Quantum Clock Synchronization, which uses entangled photon pairs distributed over free-space optical and fiber links, combined with precise atomic and optical clocks and optical communications terminals, to synchronize distant clocks with sub-nanosecond accuracy without dependence on GNSS signals. The company reports one patent family, with its newest filing dated 2026-02-18, and has developed the Ares Quantum Optical Terminal, validated in a two-kilometer free-space test. Hardware work also includes transportable optical ground station equipment and a quantum receiver for an ESA optical ground station.

Go-to-market

The company engages defense and space agency customers through competitive programs and challenges (SpaceWERX SBIR, Innovate UK, ESA, Netherlands Ministry of Defence Quantum Challenge) and works with prime and research partners such as Viasat, Heriot-Watt University, Raymetrics, X-lumin, Qubitrium and QuDef. It also builds visibility through industry bodies including the Satellite Industry Association, SmallSat Alliance, the Quantum Business Network and the Elevate Quantum Colorado hub, and raised capital from retail investors via a StartEngine Regulation Crowdfunding offering.

Defense and government space organizations, satellite operators, telecommunications network operators, power grid and financial transaction infrastructure, transportation, and data center operators requiring precise and secure time synchronization.

Geography

Headquartered in Colorado, United States, with addresses listed in Lone Tree and at Quantum Commons in Arvada, and additional Colorado locations including Lafayette, Littleton and Highlands Ranch. International activity spans Europe through ESA projects (including a Greek optical ground station program), Innovate UK contracts, a Netherlands Ministry of Defence challenge, and a UK-based hardware and software baseline.

History

Xairos Systems Inc. was founded in 2019 in Lone Tree, Colorado by David Mitlyng and Dr. James Troupe, who is credited as inventor of the company's quantum clock synchronization protocol. The company was selected into the Techstars Space Accelerator in 2021 and subsequently secured US Department of Defense work to advance quantum timing for military applications. Later milestones include a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract from SpaceWERX (2025), selection for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence Quantum Challenge (2025), recognition by the World Economic Forum's "Quantum for Society" Challenge (2025), progression to Phase 2 of an ESA-supported project and selection as a subcontractor on an ESA optical ground station project in Greece (2025), and completion of Phase 1 of the Innovate UK Quantum PNT Mission plus a two-kilometer free-space quantum and optical link demonstration (2026).

Risks & controversies

The company disclosed in its 2023 StartEngine Regulation Crowdfunding offering that it was pre-revenue, with $0 revenue, total assets of $98,060, cash of $23,590, long-term debt of $1,869,199 and a net loss of $786,349 in its most recent fiscal year, and the platform noted the offering was speculative, illiquid and carried a high degree of risk including possible total loss.