Dutch quantum sector needs at least €9.4 billion to stay ahead in technology race
The Dutch quantum sector needs significant investments to stay ahead in the technology race. At least €9.4 billion is needed for quantum computing, former ASML CEO Peter Wennink said as part of his economic recommendations to the Cabinet last month, Financieele Dagblad reports.
Dutch quantum science is currently still world-class, with Dutch startups making vital components like chips, cables, and test equipment at the forefront, Wennink said. But that won’t last without a significant financial impulse.
The next big step for this emergency industry is to expand from workshop to industrial manufacturing. And the capital for that step is lacking, Wennink said.
Without significant investments, the Netherlands' emerging quantum technology industry will fall to bigger competitors. Startups unable to attract sufficient growth capital are facing takeovers, particularly from the United States.
The Netherlands, and Europe as a whole, is already struggling to become less dependent on the United States for its information technology. If the lack of investment in this key sector continues, the Netherlands could end up on the same path with quantum computing, which is expected to be the future of computing, capable delivering superior computers and more secure communication networks.
The quantum computing industry has made interesting strides in the Netherlands. QuantWare, a startup based in Delft, is developing the country's first factory to produce computer chips capable of storing 10,000 qubits of data. Each chip is expected to be priced at about 50 million euros.
A Dutch-French partnership is also behind the prominent Quantum Gases and Quantum Information Lab at the University of Amsterdam Science Park. King Willem-Alexander and French President Emmanuel Macron toured the facility nearly three years ago during Macron's State visit to the Netherlands.
