Company to help bring stronger, quantum-resistant security to the forefront of communications innovation

Patero, a pioneer in post-quantum cryptography, today announced its selection to the Fall 2025 cohort of Khasm Labs’ 5G Open Innovation Lab. This highly competitive program accelerates collaboration between startups, enterprises, and communications providers. Khasm Labs is shaping the future at the intersection of AI, edge computing, robotics, and secure infrastructure. From quantum-safe encryption and robotic skills platforms to ultra-fast inference and next-generation semiconductors, these teams are building the foundations of tomorrow’s intelligent, connected world.

The three-month program, which runs twice annually, selects seven to ten companies per Lab. Participants gain direct access to Khasm’s network of 20+ global corporate ecosystem partners, including communications service providers (CSPs), global technology platforms, and enterprises. The lab focuses on go-to-market partnerships, product collaborations, and proof-of-value engagements that help startups accelerate adoption and scale.

“Patero’s selection to the Khasm 5G Open Innovation Lab validates the critical role post-quantum security will play in enabling trust in the security of edge data systems and across 5G-powered ecosystems,” said Crick Waters, CEO of Patero. “We’re excited to collaborate with Khasm’s partners to bring stronger, quantum-resistant security to the forefront of communications innovation.”

By joining the cohort, Patero will have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with leading CSPs, enterprises, and technology providers on real-world 5G use cases.
• Demonstrate proof-of-value deployments showcasing post-quantum security in edge and cloud environments.
• Build strategic go-to-market alliances that accelerate the adoption of quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions.

“Khasm Labs is dedicated to bringing together innovative startups and established enterprises to drive meaningful advances in 5G,” said Jim Brisimitzis, Founder & General Partner of Khasm Labs. “We’re thrilled to welcome Patero into our Fall 2025 cohort and look forward to the impact they’ll make in securing the networks of tomorrow.”

About Patero

Patero is a leader in quantum secure communications. Patero’s cryptographic discovery and inventory solution quantifies risk and prioritizes mitigation of vulnerabilities against present and future cryptographic attacks. Patero’s crypto-agile post-quantum security solutions hybridize classic encryption with NIST-standardized quantum-resistant encryption algorithms to mitigate cryptographic vulnerabilities and protect data-in-motion from steal-now, decrypt-later, and future direct decryption attacks. Patero is privately held and based in the Quantum Startup Foundry at the University of Maryland, College Park. For more information, visit patero.io. For investment opportunities, contact company CEO Crick Waters at crick@patero.io.

About Khasm Labs

Khasm Labs is the home of the 5G Open Innovation Lab, a global ecosystem that unites communications service providers, enterprises, technology platforms, and startups to accelerate innovation in 5G, edge, and cloud technologies. Through its cohort-based accelerator program, Khasm Labs provides startups with direct access to corporate partners, hands-on collaboration, and pathways to scale. More at https://www.khasmlabs.com.

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"Patero’s selection to the Khasm 5G Open Innovation Lab validates the critical role post-quantum security will play in enabling trust in the security of edge data systems and across 5G-powered ecosystems"