Turning science into entrepreneurship to create Europe’s ‘Quantum Valley’

Quantum technologies use the rules of quantum mechanics to build new and powerful tools like quantum computers and sensors that go beyond the limits of classical computers and existing supercomputers. In the wake of AI, Big Data, Internet of Things and blockchain, quantum is widely seen as the next frontier technology which will lead to groundbreaking innovations across many industries.

The influential Draghi Report on EU competitiveness described quantum as “the next trailblazing innovation in the computing field, which could open new opportunities for the EU’s industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty.” While the technology is still at a relatively early stage, it is expected that quantum will be transformative for a wide range of sectors from AI and cybersecurity to healthcare, manufacturing optimisation, complex logistics, energy production, secure communications and defence.

It is also one area of tech innovation where Europe can aspire to be among the global leaders in the field. Europe ranks first globally in the number of scientific publications in this field. The region is also home to a large concentration of quantum talent and startups. This has led to aspirations to create a “quantum valley’ in Europe, acting as a hub for quantum technology innovation, community and commercialisation.

Preparation for an EU Quantum Act

The European Commission aims to build on its strong scientific base by shaping an EU quantum policy that will enable the region to assert a leadership role in this innovative technology.  On 2 July 2025, the Commission published an EU Quantum Strategy which outlines a European approach to quantum research, development and commercialisation, while addressing legal, ethical and security issues. This will be followed by a new legislative proposal for an EU Quantum Act, due to be presented around June 2026, with a public consultation expected in the next months.

Speaking at the recent Quantum Europe conference in Brussels on 1 October 2025, Mr Gustav Kalbe, Head of the Quantum Technologies unit at the European Commission’s DG Connect, said quantum is an “absolute EU priority” linked to both competitiveness and security. According to Mr Kalbe, the future regulation will not resemble the AI Act but have more in common with the EU Chips Act. In this respect, the future Quantum Act will be designed to help build a quantum ecosystem and secure supply chains. It will aim to make key elements of the EU Quantum Act operational. The initiative is expected to focus on further developing research and supporting the transition from science to commercialisation.

As part of the future Act, the Commission is expected to launch a common quantum Europe research and innovation program. This is in response to concerns that the €9 billion invested in quantum by EU Member States and €2 billion by the EU institutions over the last five years has not been sufficiently coordinated.  In future, the Commission is aiming for a more coherent approach to avoid fragmentation and duplication of efforts.

Funding framework

The future Quantum Act is also expected to provide a framework for access to funding for quantum technologies. Since the Commission wishes to substantially increase the funding provided for the development of quantum, the European Parliament and Member States will need to be consulted, hence the need for a legislative proposal.

In this context, it is important to note that the Commission is currently planning to massively increase by a factor of five the overall money invested in digital technologies in next seven-year budget (Multiannual Financial Framework or MFF). The Commission has proposed a €1.816 trillion budget for the period 2028-2034, with digital as one of four pillars of a new €410 billion Competitiveness Fund. It also wants to expand significantly the EU’s flagship research and development program, Horizon Europe, which is already one of the world’s largest such funds, with a €95 billion budget.

At the launch of the proposed seven-year budget on 16 July 2025, European Commission President von der Leyen commented: “It’s crucial to back the strategic technologies of tomorrow.” To be adopted, a decision on the future long-term EU budget and revenue system will require a unanimous decision by the 27 EU Member States in the Council, the consent of the European Parliament and, where relevant, ratification by national parliaments.

Regarding skills, the future Quantum Act is expected to include plans to develop quantum specialists with sufficient expertise to enter the commercial sector. The Commission also plans to table proposals next year for how to move quantum chips from the current research environment to the manufacturing stage.

Furthermore, in her State of the Union address on 10 September 2025, Commission President von der Leyen referred to the future creation of a “Quantum Sandbox”. If this initiative proves similar to the existing European Blockchain Sandbox, it will be designed to provide a safe and confidential environment to conduct research without restrictions and to facilitate dialogue between regulators and innovators for private and public sector use cases.

Challenges ahead

The European Commission is acutely aware that Europe is lacking in private investments for quantum computing, despite its concentration of promising startups in this field. Europe only attracts only 5 per cent of global private funding, trailing the U.S (50 per cent) and China (40 per cent). The region also comes third when it comes to the number of patents filed for quantum technology, indicating the difficulty in transforming scientific expertise into real commercial value.  It will therefore be of crucial importance for EU entities to develop convincing use cases that in turn drive investment in quantum technologies.

Next steps

The European Commission is expected to launch a public consultation on quantum in the next months (by January 2026 at the latest). This will be followed by a proposal for an EU Quantum Act which is currently expected in June 2026. The European Parliament will comment on and amend the Commission’s proposal, with the Committee on Industry, Research & Energy expected to take the lead in preparing the Parliament’s position. In parallel, Member States in the Council will also prepare their position on the Commission’s proposal. A final text will then be negotiated between the Commission, Parliament and Council during eventual “trialogue” negotiations. This process typically takes around 18 months.