Five years of milestones worth celebrating
To mark QuIC’s fifth anniversary, a special edition of the Q-Wave brought together some of the association’s founding voices for a behind-the-scenes conversation. Moderated by Thierry Botter (Executive Director, QuIC), the panel featured:
- Thomas Strohm, Chief Expert for Quantum Technologies, Bosch & current QuIC President
- Laure Le Bars, Research Director, SAP & first-ever QuIC President
- Jan Goetz, CEO, IQM Quantum Computers & Governing Board member since 2021
- Tanya Suarez, Our CEO & QuIC’s Governing Board member since 2021
In the middle of the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020–2021, a community of quantum technology leaders were holding conversations that would eventually change Europe’s position in one of the most strategic technology races of our era.
After more than a year of consensus-driven discussions across different countries and industries, the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC) held its founding assembly in February 2021 with just 13 members. By the end of that same year, membership had exploded to 130 organisations.
Europe’s Quantum moment: strength, challenges and what comes next
As QuIC enters its sixth year, Europe’s position in the global quantum race is best described as a “hidden gem”: rich in scientific talent, deeply connected supply chains, and a uniquely unified industrial voice, yet still facing real hurdles in scaling up and mobilising private capital compared to the United States.
The road ahead for QuIC is defined by five strategic priorities:
- Breaking out of the “quantum bubble” by integrating with adjacent industries: semiconductors, AI, HPC, and cybersecurity
- Industrialisation and standardisation, including clearer benchmarks and technical milestones to unlock private investment
- Mobilising capital by advocating for a true European single market and Capital Markets Union
- Navigating technological sovereignty, balancing openness to international partners (Japan, Canada) with protecting European interests
- Driving community engagement, with events like Q-Expo 2026 in Bilbao (May 2026) keeping the ecosystem connected and energised
“Quantum is at an inflection point, now is the time to take hold of the narrative, focus on industrialisation, and mobilise private capital.” -Tanya Suarez
The next chapter starts now
Today, QuIC represents nearly two-thirds of the European quantum ecosystem and sits at the table where the continent’s most critical technology decisions are made. The work is far from over. If anything, the most defining chapter is just beginning.