Munich, Germany – 26 May 2026 – Six years ago, the quantum landscape was entirely different. Public funding was confined exclusively to academic research, private venture capital was practically non-existent, and the very viability of the technology remained a subject of debate. It was in this environment of pure potential that QBN, the Quantum Business Network, was established as Europe’s very first quantum industry network. Founded on 25 May 2020, QBN kickstarted the European industrial quantum ecosystem from scratch, long before other regional or pan-European initiatives took shape.
Today, what began as a visionary blueprint has matured into a global institution – a source of trust, copied many times. Over the past six years, QBN has accompanied its members through extraordinary growth trajectories, watching and supporting them scale from small founding teams of two or three people into global scale-ups and large enterprise teams. In quantum computing for example, where commercial viability was once questioned, QBN members are now deploying and selling systems worldwide to Fortune 500 enterprises from sectors like banking, pharmaceuticals, and defence.
This transformation is the result of a monumental joint effort. Driven by ambitious networks, visionaries behind each business, deep-tech investors, and pioneering companies, the ecosystem has shifted the paradigm. Worldwide, governments have committed more than €60 bn to secure their positions in this critical domain. What was once an academic pursuit has evolved into an industry generating billions in annual revenues, with rapidly growing companies rushing to go public and an estimated long-term economic value creation in the trillions. QBN has been at the forefront of this shift, consistently pushing national and international strategies away from theoretical research and toward entrepreneurship, commercialisation, industrial adoption, real business and technological sovereignty.
A Vision for the Future
While artificial intelligence continues to reshape our current digital world, the profound, systemic impact of quantum technologies represents the next great leap in human capability. Quantum solutions will fundamentally revolutionize almost every industrial sector and, ultimately, everyone’s daily life.
“Six years ago, we chose to build an industrial infrastructure for a market that did not yet exist,” says Johannes Verst, CEO and Founder of QBN. “Today, our members are delivering real-world economic and strategic value to global industries and governments. But this is only the foundation. If you look at how AI is transforming the world today, understand that the quantum revolution will be even more profound. We have proven what is possible when vision aligns with rigorous execution, and as we look toward the next chapter, I can confidently say: we are by far not done yet.“
A Shared Legacy of Trust
The success of the past six years belongs to the community that believed in this future from the very beginning. QBN extends its deepest gratitude to its founding members who shared the bold vision and committed to building a strong quantum industry: IQM Quantum Computers, HQS Quantum Simulations, Fraunhofer IAF, ParityQC, Quantum Brilliance, OrangeQS, and Element Six.
Today, that foundation has expanded to a powerful alliance of more than 120 members globally and three regional chapters the QBN Europe, QBN Germany and QBN Asia-Pacific. QBN also honours the dedication of its current and former board members, its passionate working group chairs and task force leaders, and the numerous partners and individuals across governments, international institutions, and partner associations as well as the QBN team and former team members.
It is a profound honour to shape this industry together. The groundwork has been laid, the market is scaling, and the most impactful era of quantum industrialisation is just beginning.
As our CEO likes to say: “Let’s keep challenging the status quo and pushing the limits in physics, engineering, infrastructure, talent, venture development, policy, and collaboration!”
About QBN
The Quantum Business Network (QBN) is the leading global business network and strategic pillar for the quantum technology industry. Founded in 2020, QBN is dedicated to building the commercial, industrial, and sovereign infrastructure of the quantum economy by fostering international collaboration, accelerating market adoption, and supporting the growth of deep-tech enterprises.
Media Contact: https://qbn.world/home/contact/
