Quantum Communications in Europe: Highlights

Valerio Pruneri (ICREA Professor at ICFO and QSNP Coordinator) and Stephanie Wehner (Professor at QuTech and QIA Coordinator) took the stage to kick-off the event. Gustav Kalbe, Acting Director of Digital Excellence and Science Infrastructure at the European Commission, delivered the welcome words. He highlighted the critical role of European cooperation in driving forward quantum technologies.

Workshop Fosters Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange in Quantum Security Research

Following the opening remarks, Niko Mohr, Expert Partner on Digital & Tech strategy and transformation at McKinsey, delivered a compelling keynote address on “Trends in Quantum Technology and the state of business in Quantum Communications”. Mohr’s talk focused on the industrial and business potential of quantum technologies, emphasising the upward trend in investments and opportunity in the field of quantum communications more specifically.

The first major session of the day, chaired by Eleni Diamanti (Research Director, CNRS), explored “Europe and the International Ecosystem.” Speakers included Gustav Kalbe, Tanner Crowder from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (USA), and Mikio Fujiwara, Director of the Quantum ICT Collaboration Center (Japan). Their presentations focused on the importance of global partnerships, fostering innovation and addressing common challenges in the quantum realms.

The session continued with an introduction to the QSNP project by Valerio Pruneri alongside Pillar Leaders. This was followed by an overview of the QIA project by Stephanie Wehner, accompanied by her Work Package Leads. Both presentations underscored the projects’ aims and long-term goals. An open discussion on the synergies between the QSNP and QIA projects further enriched the morning session, providing a platform for interactive dialogue among participants. Gabriele Bulgarini, Qu-Test project coordinator, wrapped up the morning with insights into the Qu-Test and Qu-Pilot initiatives.

Innovation, and Collaboration

In the afternoon session, a panel of start-ups focused on innovations in quantum communications took center stage, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit that is currently driving this sector forward. The panel, in particular, featured representatives such as Vanesa Díaz (CEO of Luxquanta), Simone Capeleto (CEO of ThinkQuantum), Remon Berrevoets (CTIO at Q*Bird), Fokko de Vries (Roadmap Leader at QBlox), Juris Ulmanis (Director of Quantum Technologies of AQT), and Isabelle Riou (Research and Development Engineer at Welinq). Furthermore, the discussions covered a wide range of topics, including not only the current challenges and opportunities within the quantum communications market but also strategies for commercialization and the importance of fostering new talent. In essence, the session aimed to highlight the pivotal role that start-ups play in both driving innovation and advancing the application of quantum technologies

This session was followed by a series of Flash talks given by researchers in the early stages of their careers such as PhD students or first-years post-Doctoral researchers. The inclusion of younger researchers offered a valuable platform to share their latest findings, receive feedback, and gain visibility within the scientific community.

After the initial activities, the event transitioned into a workshop on intellectual property led by Pere Arqué Castells from EPO Observatory. He guided the audience through various patent topics, including the Unitary Patent and EPO’s work in tracking quantum innovation and identifying investment-ready European start-ups. The afternoon then shifted focus to standardization with a session led by Professor Vicente Martín from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, followed by discussions on technology initiatives. Finally, Vlora Rexhepi-van der Pol (QuTech/QIA) and Hannes Hübel (Austrian Institute of Technology) presented on technology deployment and commercialization, offering insights into bringing innovations to market

Closing Remarks and Event Success

The event concluded with a thoughtful speech by Gina Tost, Secretary of Digital Policies at Government of Catalonia. In her closing words, Tost emphasized the critical importance of collaboration between government, academia and industry to drive forward the quantum technology sectors. She expressed her optimism about the future advancements that cooperation would bring. Her speech highlighted the Catalan government’s commitment to supporting innovation and maintaining Europe’s leadership in digital transformation and quantum research.

Overall, “Quantum Communication in Europe” was a success, marked by the attendance of over 200 high level researchers, engaging discussions, and great networking opportunities. Attendees praised the event for its well-organized agenda, presentations, and the collaborative atmosphere that encouraged the exchange of ideas. The positive feedback highlights the importance and impact of these types of gatherings in advancing the field of quantum communications.

 

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