Quantum Act: Making Europe a quantum industrial powerhouse

Quantum technologies promise to revolutionise Europe’s economy and security, but ‘the current EU quantum technology programme is fragmented. To help quantum companies scale at home whilst preserving Europe’s openness, the EU must provide immediate support to the quantum sector and simultaneously develop a new regulatory framework geared towards industrial application.  

The Quantum Europe Strategy outlines the EU’s quantum ambitions but falls short on the tools and funding required to keep pace with global competition. Europe’s efforts are spread thin across different funding programmes, national strategies and focus areas. This creates inefficiencies, delays the commercialisation of quantum innovation and reduces competitiveness. Despite its strong research output, Europe attracts only 5 per cent of global private quantum investment, compared with over 50 per cent going to the United States.

Without substantial new public and private funding, Europe risks losing its most promising companies and talent before the Quantum Act even enters into force. The EU urgently needs to define a path to industrialisation to realise its scientific and engineering excellence in quantum, including in quantum computing, software and algorithms, hybridisation with High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure and quantum-safe cryptography. This means boosting investment to scale industrial capacity, spur demand and help bridge the gap to real-world applications. 

• Streamline EU quantum governance and funding frameworks but avoid regulating the quantum ecosystem until technologies have matured and regulatory gaps can be clearly identified.  

• Boost public and private funding to help promising quantum companies scale and compete globally. Accelerate innovation procurement and create an early market for quantum technologies. 

• Incentivise and facilitate the development of applications that apply quantum solutions to specific industry challenges and dual use applications. 

• Increase collaboration with trusted international partners for joint innovation, investment, manufacturing and supply chain security. 

• Bridge the quantum skills gap to meet the growing demand for talent.