Forbes highlights Europe’s quantum momentum and the role of the Quantum Flagship
16 March 2026
Europe’s quantum ecosystem continues to gain global attention. In a recent article, “Is Europe Poised To Lead the Quantum Computing Race?”, published in Forbes, the growing strength of Europe’s quantum landscape is highlighted, including the central role played by the Quantum Flagship and the wider ecosystem it supports.
The article explores whether Europe can transform its strong scientific foundations into global technological leadership, and points to initiatives such as the Quantum Flagship as a key player in building a competitive quantum industry.
A European strategy for Quantum Technologies
The Quantum Flagship is a major EU-wide programme designed to accelerate quantum innovation. With a budget of over 1 billion euros, it funds research projects across Europe and follows a long-term strategic research agenda developed together with the European Commission.
Its mission is to:
- Consolidate European scientific leadership in quantum technologies.
- Support the creation of a competitive European quantum industry.
- Position Europe as an hub for research, investment, and innovation.
This coordinated approach is one of the pillars enabling Europe to compete globally in emerging quantum technologies.
Quantum Flagship booth at MWC. (source: Raquel Puras/Quantum Flagship)
A strong ecosystem supporting innovation
The article also highlights the work of the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC), which supports the Quantum Flagship by bringing together industry stakeholders across the continent.
With around 200 members, QuIC acts as a collaborative platform connecting startups and SMEs, large technology companies, investors and academic research institutes. This ecosystem helps translate scientific breakthroughs into industrial innovation and real-world applications.
Quantum Flagship booth at MWC. (source: Raquel Puras/Quantum Flagship)
Europe’s competitive advantages in quantum
The Forbes analysis identifies several strengths that could position Europe as a leader in the global quantum race:
- World-class research and talent: Europe’s universities and research institutions produce leading expertise in physics, engineering, and computer science.
- Strong public investment: large-scale initiatives such as the Quantum Flagship are accelerating research and commercialization.
- Industrial supply chain leadership: Europe hosts key suppliers for advanced technologies, including companies like ASML in lithography and STMicro in semiconductor manufacturing.
- A growing innovation ecosystem: Collaboration between industry, academia, and public institutions is fostering the development of new quantum start-ups and technologie
Vanesa Díaz (Luxquanta/QSNP) and Hugues de Riedmatten (ICFO/QIA) roundtable at the New Fronntiers stage moderated by Aline Hirschmann (ICFO). (credits: Raquel Puras/Quantum Flagship)
Building Europe’s quantum future
As the article concludes, Europe has many of the ingredients needed to succeed: scientific excellence, industrial capabilities and coordinated policy initiatives. The challenge now is to scale innovations into global industrial leadership.
Initiatives such as the Quantum Flagship and the ecosystem of projects and companies it supports are central to this ambition. With continued collaboration Europe’s quantum ecosystem is well positioned to play a major role in shaping the future of quantum technology.
Official visit at the Quantum Flagship booth at MWC. (source: Raquel Puras/Quantum Flagship)