Three years of Quantum Delta NL in 10 highlights

Three years of Quantum Delta NL in 10 highlights

Three years of Quantum Delta NL in 10 highlights

The National Growth Fund (Nationaal Groeifonds, NGF) has invested in Quantum Delta NL: an ambitious programme whose principle goal is promoting the development of quantum technology in the Netherlands. This investment is the driving force behind the formation of a whole new economic sector that not only provides innovative solutions for societal challenges, but also contributes to sustainable economic prosperity.

Now, halfway through the Quantum Delta NL programme, we are proud and delighted to share some of our most impressive results. These milestones are evidence of the success of our joint efforts and embody progress on a scale that the Netherlands would never have been able to achieve without the support of the National Growth Fund.

Explosive growth in quantum jobs

Since the commencement of the Quantum Delta NL programme, quantum technology in the Netherlands has seen significant growth, including the creation of more than a thousand new, full-time jobs. This increase in employment is not only a sign that the quantum sector is thriving, it is also a marker of the impact of the Quantum Delta NL programme on encouraging innovation and the creation of valuable opportunities in the labour market.

In just three years, the number of quantum start-ups has more than doubled, from 10 to 23 young quantum enterprises. These start-ups are jointly responsible for no fewer than 660 jobs, and this number is growing at a rapid pace. When compared to the population, this achievement puts the Netherlands in first place globally for the number of start-ups per capita. This represents an abundance of innovation that secures our country’s position as a pioneer in the quantum revolution.

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House of Quantum: the physical home of innovation and collaboration

Quantum Delta NL has realised the world’s first ‘House of Quantum’. This is the home of collaboration between local and international companies, investors and researchers who are joining forces to work on the quantum technology of the future and the growth of their enterprises. The House of Quantum provides working space and essential, high-quality laboratory facilities that are often too expensive for new companies individually.

The House of Quantum is the means by which Quantum Delta NL is working to expand the international ecosystem, create synergy between hardware and software, and attract non-technical stakeholders who can support the national quantum ecosystem. The considerable interest in the House of Quantum has even led to the opening of a new location early this year, and has sparked a desire among other countries to copy this innovative concept.

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Leaders in science

In recent years, the Netherlands has managed to secure a leading scientific place in the quantum field. It’s partly due to the efforts of Quantum Delta NL that the Netherlands is now among the top three worldwide! This demonstrates the immeasurable value of the commitment to and investment in quantum research. When it comes to the global impact of publications, the Dutch quantum research institute QuTech now occupies first position worldwide!

In addition to quantum computing, significant steps have also been made towards the quantum internet and untappable communications. In 2022, QuTech researchers announced in scientific journal Nature that they had succeeded in teleporting quantum information over a rudimentary network.

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Growth programme and investment fund for quantum enterprises

A thriving economy and new employment opportunities are both driven by successful companies. While quantum technology research forms the foundation for innovation, we are ultimately aiming to achieve measurable economic impact in the form of revenue and jobs. This turns out to be a challenge: quantum enterprises are capital-intensive and very few parties in the Netherlands have the courage to invest in Deep Tech. Existing companies still also experience quantum technology as something that is too abstract.

For this reason, Quantum Delta NL has established Infinity and QDNL Participations. These two entities play an integral role in supporting Dutch quantum start-ups, with Infinity acting as a consultant for start-up teams with respect to matters such as investment rounds, team-building and strategy development, while QDNL Participants serves as a lead investor in early-stage investment rounds.

Their joint efforts have already led to the largest investment in a Dutch quantum enterprise yet: in January this year, QphoX succeeded in raising no less than €8 million in a round led by QDNL Participations.

Secondary vocational education, universities and universities of applied sciences join forces

Four Quantum Talent & Learning Centres (TLCs) have started on building up an employee pool for the future quantum industry. These centres, distributed across Amsterdam, Delft/ Leiden, Eindhoven and Twente, represent a close collaboration between industry and educational institutions at all levels.

A great example of this successful collaboration is the Leidse Instrumentenmakers School, which trains skilled workers who then go on to work at quantum enterprises such as Leiden Cryogenics. Students who choose to use both their brains and hands are being trained to build the equipment essential to quantum technology.

The collaboration between various educational levels in quantum technology is unique, even at the European level. This also applies to the collaborative professional master’s programme in Applied Quantum Technology: for the first time ever, four different universities of applied sciences have established a joint master’s programme. The master’s programme in Quantum Information Science & Technology (QIST) also commenced in September 2023. This joint programme is developed and offered by TU Delft together with Leiden University.

The significant increase in the number of quantum students in the Netherlands – almost 800 in total – underscores the success of Quantum Delta NL. In this, we have far exceeded our target for the number of students by the end of 2024.

International top talent heads to the Netherlands

Thanks to our leading position in quantum technology, top international talent is choosing the Netherlands as the perfect place for career advancement. The Netherlands has managed to successfully attract some of the leading scientists, including Philippe Bouyer and Stephanie Wehner. In addition, Chad Rigetti, founder of the NASDAQ-listed company Rigetti, is co-director of the quantum investment fund that has been specially established for Dutch scale-ups.

7 International leadership

Quantum Delta NL aims to create the most relevant quantum ecosystem in Europe, and to this end, is working closely with other leading quantum countries in Europe. The priority is to build a global community of like-minded countries, with the goal of providing our companies with market access, capital, talent and resilient supply chains. Our approach focuses on bilateral collaboration, economic security and participation in EU programmes.

Quantum Delta NL has already partnered with France and Germany to establish a successful programme in which researchers and companies collaborate across borders. The Netherlands also plays a leading role in large European initiatives such as the Quantum Internet Alliance.

Our focus on essential themes such as investment screening, global supply chains, knowledge security, export controls and standardisation underscores our engagement in economic security. Together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, we are coordinating activities aimed at preventing legislative fragmentation, and Quantum Delta NL supports companies and researchers with information sessions and guidance for notification processes under the Investments, Mergers and Acquisitions (Security Screening) Act (Wet op de Veiligheidstoetsing van Investeringen, Fusies en Overnames, Vifo).

In addition to this, Quantum Delta NL occupies a prominent position in international networks, in which our companies and researchers can find new clients and partners. By participating in international conferences and meetings, such as the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, CES and Q2B, and in state visits from countries such as France, and recently South Korea, we enhance our visibility and position the Netherlands as a leader in the global quantum community.

Quantum for economic prosperity and social well-being

On 3 November 2022, the Centre for Quantum & Society (CQS) opened in Amsterdam as the world’s first and currently only knowledge and co-creation centre for preparing companies and society for the rise of quantum technology. The CQS forges a connection between quantum innovation and wider society, with the aim of making the best possible use of the opportunities offered by quantum technology.

In addition, the CQS helps to raise public awareness of the ethical, legal and societal aspects of quantum technology by means of conferences, workshops, a variety of events, and the publication of information brochures and white papers. It collaborates closely with companies, knowledge institutions and government bodies in order to do so.

In 2023, the CQS completed its first co-creation project with Alliander, which investigated how quantum technology can help to improve the energy distribution in our electricity networks in the future. The Port of Rotterdam, Eurofiber and Innovation Quarter were also involved in the project. World Quantum Day on 14 April will mark the launch of the Quantum Course, which is aimed at teaching the general public the basic principles of quantum technology.

Quantum opportunities for every Dutch enterprise

Quantum technology is expected to have a significant impact on critical sectors such as chemicals, logistics, the Internet of Things (IoT), life sciences, health and cybersecurity. Still, quantum technology is terrain that is yet to be explored by many Dutch organisations. Quantum Delta NL has established various programmes aimed at involving these parties in the emergence of these technologies now.

Leading SMEs throughout the Netherlands are in a good position to play an essential role in the quantum value chain, such as in software development, consultancy services and the supply of materials and equipment. The Quantum Delta NL SME programme is designed to connect high-tech, multi-disciplinary Dutch SMEs with the areas of quantum technology in which they are most needed. In the meantime, 16 coalitions of quantum companies and SMEs have received funding for the development of essential products and services. For example, the company Q*Bird is working on a secure digital network for the Port of Rotterdam, and Delft Circuits manufactures special cables for the quantum computer.

Through the Fieldlab programme, Quantum Delta NL is establishing a network of field labs in which potential end users can experiment with the technology and explore user scenarios. Workshops or private-public projects facilitate knowledge transfer and the interaction between technology push and market pull. For example, the Quantum Gateway Foundation will implement a test environment in which organisations can use quantum technology to assess the security of their digital environment.

Those who are already aware of what quantum technology can mean for them, but who do not yet have the resources to invest in it themselves, can make use of the Quantum Application Lab (QAL). QAL gives these parties access to extensive expertise and the necessary technical infrastructure. This means they do not have to build a foundation themselves, and can already join the leading quantum parties at this early stage.

Core values for effective collaboration and happy people

The quantum sector in the Netherlands functions as a close-knit community in which the industry’s success is intrinsically connected with the recruitment and development of people. The central focus is the creation of happy, inspiring workplaces in which innovation thrives. Our success is determined by interdisciplinary teamwork that transcends the boundaries of individual organisations.

A safe and motivating culture is absolutely essential for the success of this collaboration. In this culture, all people should feel welcome to engage with everything they have to offer, regardless of their gender, background, sexual orientation or religion. In order to ensure this, the quantum community has jointly created the Quantum Delta NL Culture Manifesto, built around four guiding principles: Together we Quest, We pursue Excellence, We advocate Inclusivity, We shape Society.

These core values are reflected practically in matters such as our HR policy and during events such as ‘Quantum Meets’. This unique event not only strengthens the Dutch community, but also attracts international talent and start-ups and scaleups, and offers Dutch quantum enterprises the opportunity to come into contact with talent, new clients and collaboration possibilities. The first edition in June 2023 attracted visitors from no fewer than 17 countries.

Quantum Meets also aims to attract a large international quantum conference to the Netherlands, and has successfully achieved this goal for the 2024 edition, by bringing the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC) conference to the Netherlands.

The Dutch quantum community has an annual discussion on the current state of affairs in quantum technology, as well as recent and future developments in the Quantum Delta NL programme. This takes place during the ‘Nodes of One Network’ community event. This event also includes a number of expert sessions aimed at building up and strengthening personal relationships within the quantum community.

If you would like to stay informed about the latest developments in quantum technology in the Netherlands, simply register for the monthly Quantum Delta NL newsletter!