A Quantum Leap For Quantum Europe

At a decisive moment for European quantum policy, Quantum Europe 2025 brought together over 200 policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and innovators from across the continent and beyond.

Now in its second edition, Quantum Europe has begun to cement its place as a cornerstone event in Europe’s quantum and digital policy calendar, a space not only for discussion, but ambition, alignment, and action.

Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Henna Virkkunen delivers her keynote address at Quantum Europe.

As Europe accelerates efforts to establish leadership in next-generation technologies, Quantum Europe 2025 began with keynote addresses that struck a chord of urgency and aspiration.

Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, and Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Spain’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, both underscored the need for stronger unity across national efforts, greater private investment, and a relentless focus on translating scientific leadership into strategic sovereignty.

“Europe today captures less than 5% of global private investment in Quantum. In contrast, US firms attract more than half. This cannot continue.”

“Coordination is crucial. 90% of public research spending comes from Member States — we must act together, not in silos.”
Marc Lemaître, European Commission

Through the event's opening session, such urgency continued. Titled, ‘’The EU’s Quantum Strategy and Beyond: Building a Comprehensive and Sovereign Quantum Ecosystem,’’ the session took a thorough look at the foundations and future of Europe’s quantum ambitions. From infrastructure and innovation to scaling and standards, panelists explored the full ecosystem required to support the EU’s vision for strategic autonomy in quantum.

“Quantum computing is no longer science fiction — it’s here.''
Gustav Kalbe, DG CONNECT

The session made it clear: Europe has the knowledge and capability to lead, but delivering on that potential requires harmonised policy, smart investment, and an ecosystem designed for industrialisation and cross-border integration.

“Think big. You don’t create a lightbulb by making better candles.”
Ivan Dobos, Aricoma 

“It doesn’t help if we have 27 national programmes all pursuing similar goals. We need to ensure they feed into a virtuous circle, not a fragmented one.''
Gustav Kalbe, DG CONNECT

In Session 2, ‘’Celebrating Quantum in Action: Real-World Successes and Industry Adoption,’’ panelists explored their vision of a globally competitive and sovereign quantum industry. Proving the session's golden thread, panelists stressed the importance of creating a strong domestic market for European quantum firms to thrive.

“If we are not able to create a market in Europe for these companies, they will move to the US or Asia.”
Johannes Verst, QBN

Verst identified structural fragmentation as a limiting factor, arguing “Fragmentation is a mindset problem. A European market would change that." Notably, Verst also pointed to the European defence sector as a key potential early adopter: “The European defence sector, for instance, is ready to act as an early customer and drive a quantum market.”

“We must make sure it’s sovereign European technology into the future. Learn the lessons of AI.”
Gerald Mullaly, CEO of Oxford Quantum Circuits

Gerald Mullaly, CEO of Oxford Quantum Circuits speaks in Session 2 of Quantum Europe.

A key pillar of the EU’s quantum ambitions, the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), took centre stage in Session 3. Stakeholders reviewed the current landscape, including developments in terrestrial and space-based quantum communication.

Panelists assessed the initiative’s progress, outlined the challenges that lie ahead, and reflected on EuroQCI’s critical role within the broader EU Quantum Strategy. Laurent Jaffart from the European Space Agency spotlighted the alignment of EuroQCI with the IRIS² secure connectivity programme and the growing synergy between public and private actors.

This session concluded with the formal signing of the SAGA Phase B2 contract at Quantum Europe, marking a key milestone in the project. The agreement, signed between Thales Alenia Space and the European Space Agency (ESA), celebrated both Europe’s ambition and belief in its future connectivity systems.

Laurent Jaffart, Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, at Quantum Europe. 

With the advent of quantum computing, traditional cryptography is at risk. The fourth session examined the future of cybersecurity in a quantum age and the preparedness of institutions to address looming vulnerabilities.

Panelists stressed that although cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) are not yet available, the threat is already present due to “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks.

Urgency around post-quantum cryptography, strategic transition planning, and institutional readiness emerged as dominant themes.

Sarmīte Mickeviča, Senior Expert in Digitalisation at the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia discussing Quantum communication 

The final panel tackled one of the Forum’s most nuanced questions: How can Europe strike the right balance between international cooperation and the pursuit of strategic autonomy?

In the context of the UN’s International Year of Quantum and growing geopolitical tensions, the session explored how global collaboration can be sustained while securing Europe’s competitive and sovereign position.

“The fundamental ambition is responsible development and use of the technology — aligning public investment with human-centric and democratic values.”
Elizabeth Thomas-Reynaud, OECD

“Skills remain the biggest challenge — it’s a battle we’re all losing. Demand is far outstripping supply, and we’re competing for the same pool of talent.”
Josh Fedder, UK DSIT

‘’The so-called ‘valley of death’ between research and commercialisation is real. To cross it, we need strong public–private partnerships and investment clarity.”
Tomas Jakimavicius, Microsoft

Microsoft's Tomas Jakimavicius discusses Europe's Quantum Future at Quantum Europe

As the final speaker, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen delivered a powerful call to action for Europe’s quantum future. Framed by the forthcoming Quantum Act and the 2030 ambitions, her remarks made clear that Europe must match its scientific strength with commercial capability, policy alignment, and scaled investment.

“Europe must not only be the birthplace of ideas, but also where markets, jobs and leadership are built.”

“We do not want to regulate quantum — we want to boost investment, innovation and industrialisation. The Quantum Act will be a vehicle for acceleration, not bureaucracy.”

“Fragmentation is always a challenge in the European Union… We must pool our expertise and speak with one voice globally.”

Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, European Commission.

With the Quantum Act on the horizon and momentum accelerating across Member States, Quantum Europe 2025 demonstrated that Europe’s quantum future is no longer aspirational, it is already underway.

Forum Europe extends its sincere thanks to all partners, sponsors, speakers, and attendees for making this year’s edition a success. Your insights, energy, and collaboration are what continue to push this agenda forward.

We now look ahead to Quantum Europe 2026, as the community continues to grow, align, and lead.

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