Europe Turns to Private Investment to Advance Quantum Technology Goals

The European Union has unveiled a new Quantum Technology Strategy aimed at establishing Europe as a global leader in the field by 2030. While the EU has already allocated over €11 billion in public funding for quantum research and innovation since 2020, officials are concerned by the low levels of private investment, which currently account for just 5% of global funding in the sector.

To close this gap, the European Commission is seeking to attract private capital, stimulate scale-up opportunities for startups, and protect homegrown quantum firms from foreign acquisition. The strategy outlines plans to expand Europe’s digital infrastructure — including quantum communication networks, high-performance computing, and next-generation chip technologies.

Central to the initiative is the upcoming "Quantum Act", a legislative package to be proposed in 2026, which aims to coordinate EU and national policies, accelerate technological deployment, and create a more investment-friendly ecosystem for quantum innovation.

EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton emphasized that quantum technologies are not only critical for Europe’s technological sovereignty, but also essential for national security and economic competitiveness in the coming decades.

The strategy also highlights the dual-use nature (civil and defense) of many quantum technologies, underscoring the need for protective measures to keep Europe’s quantum ecosystem resilient and autonomous.