Quantum computing: consortium receives 50 million euros in funding
A consortium led by quantum start-up Q.ant is set to receive some 50 million euros in research funding. Approximately 42 million euros of this will come from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), while the consortium partners will contribute around 8 million euros.
The funding will be used to construct a demonstration and test system for quantum computer chips and other quantum computer components. This will enable the consortium to conduct research into algorithms and technologies for photonic quantum computing and prepare for industrial scale-up. Q.ant, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trumpf, recently presented a method that could be used to fabricate extremely powerful quantum computer chips. By creating highly specialized optical channels on silicon chips, this photonic chip process is able to transport, control and monitor quanta with virtually zero loss, even at room temperature. In future, this will also enable the chips to be used in conventional mainframe computers.
“This funding is a clear indication of Germany’s strength as a hotbed of innovation. We’re on the cusp of the quantum computing era, and the global race to secure market share in this future technology has begun. The funds that have now been earmarked for this research alliance are a key enabler on the path toward building quantum computers in Germany,” says Q.ant CEO Michael Förtsch. Known as “PhoQuant” for short, the research project will run for a total of five years. Q.ant is in charge of the industrial side of the consortium, which also includes 14 other German companies, applied research institutions and universities.
The Paderborn site of the Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems (PhoQS) has significant expertise in the fields of integrated optics and quantum optics, quantum information theory, algorithms and electrical engineering. PhoQS will seek to consolidate this expertise in order to implement, control and characterize large quantum systems for light-based quantum information processing within the alliance. “Over recent years and decades, we’ve carried out some of the world’s most pioneering basic science work in this area of research. For the first time, this project gives us an opportunity to put the results of this work into practice through demonstration set-ups,” says professor Christine Silberhorn from Paderborn University.
The research project involves a total of 14 partners: Q.ant, Paderborn University (UPB), University of Münster, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, University of Jena, Ulm University, HQS Quantum Simulations, Humboldt University of Berlin, Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems, Swabian Instruments, TEM Messtechnik, Ficontec, Freie Universität Berlin, and Menlo Systems.
Company
Universität PaderbornWarburger Str. 100
33098 Paderborn
Germany
most read
Baumer Honored as Company of the Year
Frost & Sullivan has named Baumer the 2026 Global Company of the Year in the Position and Distance Sensing category.
Solid-State Transformers for AI Data Centers
As part of a strategic partnership, Siemens and Reinhausen are developing a solid-state transformer for AI data centers with an 800-volt DC system.
European machine vision expects slight recovery and growth in 2026
According to the VDMA Machine Vision department, sales are expected to increase by around 3%, following a decline of 2% in 2025.
Schaeffler bundles Defense and New Space activities under new CEO
Celia Pelaz takes over the position of CEO Defence & New Space at Schaeffler on October 1, 2026 and becomes Chairwoman of the Management Board of Stech Defence GmbH.
Vision 2026 Breaks Exhibitor Record
About 500 exhibiting companies—about two-thirds of which are from abroad and about 30 percent of which are first-time exhibitors—are showcasing their products at the trade show.