Scaling quantum innovation through smarter investment
What does it take to turn quantum breakthroughs into market-ready solutions?
At Q-Expo 2025, one of the most captivating discussions revolved around the challenges and opportunities of scaling quantum technologies from lab innovations to market-ready solutions. Moderated by Tanya Suarez, CEO of BluSpecs, the panel brought together thought leaders such as Manjari Chandran-Ramesh of Amadeus Capital Partners, Kris Kaczmarek of QDNL, Sami Moughrabie of Atmos Ventures and Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the Board at the EIC, who offered invaluable insights into the evolving quantum landscape.
According to Dealroom, European quantum companies have raised over €2 billion in funding to date. And with the European Innovation Council’s Step-up programme injecting €300 million into deep tech innovation, mirroring DARPA’s $300M Quantum Benchmarking Initiative in the US, the momentum is building fast. But where do we go from here?
Key takeaways from the panel
- Why invest in quantum now? As Manjari Chandran-Ramesh noted, quantum technologies are approaching their inflection point. But as exciting as the science is, she urged investors to look for clear problem-solving potential and defensible IP, not just academic sparkle.
- What raises red flags? Kris Kaczmarek highlighted the danger of overpromising. “Procurement is a step in the right direction for government funding, it means companies have to deliver, not just promise.”
- What’s blocking scale? Sami Moughrabie emphasised the fragmentation in Europe’s quantum ecosystem: “In 10 years, it will be defragmented.” For now, bottlenecks range from talent shortages to lack of hardware integration.
- How should investors collaborate? Svetoslava Georgieva called for better syndication models. “We’re looking for co-investors with complementary strengths. But if their goals are misaligned, we’ll run a mile.”
- Public-private synergy is essential. Government procurement, long-term industrial pilots, and performance-based grants are crucial to building investor confidence.
What’s next for the Quantum sector?
While the panel covered a range of topics, from regulatory frameworks to sustainability, the overriding message was clear: Europe’s quantum sector is on the verge of a breakthrough, but requires stronger collaborations between investors, governments, and industry leaders to fully capitalise on its potential. The quantum ecosystem in Europe is primed to leap forward, and the next decade will be critical in determining whether it can deliver the anticipated breakthroughs in 5G/6G, AI, and cybersecurity.
“I really enjoyed being part of such a diverse panel of investors. The free-flowing moderation encouraged candid conversation and refreshing perspectives. Given the high-calibre peers involved, I came away genuinely engaged and having learned something new.” – Sami Moughrabie
The Q-Expo 2025 panel reaffirmed that with the right investment, policy support, and collaboration, quantum technologies can not only revolutionise industries but also be a key driver of Europe’s digital sovereignty.