Public-private momentum for European quantum leadership
Spain is placing a bold bet on quantum technology with a €1 million investment in Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech (QQT), a Barcelona-based startup pioneering superconducting qubit systems. Backed by the Spanish government through SETT, this move marks a significant commitment to EU tech sovereignty.
QQT is no ordinary startup. As the first Spanish full-stack quantum computing company, it operates Europe’s first multimodal Quantum Data Center, with capacity for up to 10 quantum computers. This investment supports both the development of scalable quantum hardware and the creation of over 400 new jobs.
Built from research, designed for real-world problems
Qilimanjaro was born out of top-tier institutions: IFAE, University of Barcelona, and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. It applies a co-design approach to match hardware capabilities with application needs in sectors like energy, telecoms, and AI. Its analog superconducting qubits are optimised for continuous problems such as molecular simulations and optimisation challenges.
The startup also offers a Quantum-as-a-Service model via its SpeQtrum platform, enabling European researchers, businesses, and universities to access quantum resources on demand.
What it means for Belgium and the broader ecosystem
This strategic investment aligns with Quantum Circle’s belief that collaboration beats competition. By supporting homegrown quantum players, Europe enhances its collective resilience and innovation capacity. For Belgium, Qilimanjaro’s journey shows the importance of public-private synergy, research commercialisation, and scalable infrastructure.
As quantum becomes a key pillar in Europe’s digital sovereignty, initiatives like this will shape the future of computation and prepare us all for what’s next.
