Germany and France present a joint definition of digital sovereignty with quantum technology as key capability for securing Europe’s long-term technological resilience and competitiveness.  Announced at VivaTech, this new bilateral framework highlights both political ambition and operational criteria across the entire technology stack from cloud infrastructure and data protection to sovereign AI and quantum technologies.   Wildberger: “Strengthening digital sovereignty is the order of the day”  True digital sovereignty isn’t just about securing today’s data layers; it’s about ensuring the ability to develop, operate and use quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communication architectures of tomorrow.  Key Takeaways:  Six Operational Dimensions: The framework defines digital sovereignty across six operational dimensions, prioritizing the legal enforceability of European data rights, the strict protection of sensitive data, and building resilient infrastructure to mitigate cyber and supply chain risks.  Action over Lock-Ins: To avoid vendor lock-in effects, both nations are mandating the modular architecture of digital systems, the consistent deployment of Open-Source solutions, and a strong preference for digital providers based in the EU or trusted international partner states.  Concrete Cloud & AI Proof Points: The ministries highlighted practical, sovereign AI integration happening right now using a newly revealed partnership between SAP and Mistral AI to demonstrate how European AI can securely meet the data demands of both industries and public administrations.  Focus is Civilian, Not Military: Crucially, the agreement explicitly isolates civilian digital infrastructure and economic capabilities. Defense and military tech are deliberately carved out of this specific framework to ensure rapid, unhindered industrial and commercial rollout.  The Franco-German Forum for the Future: Alongside the definition, both countries officially re-launched this structured dialogue platform to align industrial policy strategies, map critical dependencies, and build a unified catalog of sovereign European digital solutions.  This announcement signals a shift of the conversation from abstract political ideals to a strict, criteria-driven roadmap, but it is important to note that this is a signed political position paper rather than a legally binding state treaty. Its explicit purpose is to act as a unified Franco-German mandate designed to guide, shape, and drive upcoming legislative work at the EU level.  A Shared Deep-Tech Journey  This joint announcement didn’t happen in a vacuum. It is the latest milestone in a long history of deep collaboration between France and Germany. Years ago, this momentum started at a foundational level with the Franco-German Quantum Dialogue, co-organized by the French Embassy and QBN. What began as an ecosystem-level conversation quickly evolved into a powerful cross-border movement.  As the strategic stakes grew, further key players such as QUTAC, a consortium of DAX companies working on quantum computing, the European Champions Alliance and many others jumped on board. This collective hold another strategic gathering at Station F and at the German Embassy in Paris and anchored crucial deep-tech tracks at the European Tech Sovereignty Summit.  Next stop: Servus Scale Up on Quantum Technologies  While we are actively scaling the ecosystem together, this Franco-German momentum is culminating again next month right in Munich with the first-ever Servus Scale Up on Quantum Technologies. With support by QBN, Servus Scaleup will bring together quantum startups, scale-ups, investors, and industrial end-users from both sides of the Rhine to turn the newly defined sovereignty goals into concrete business partnerships, investments, and deployments.  Details on the event: QBN Events › Servus Scale Up 2026 – The Bavarian-French Startup Festival Digital sovereignty is a team sport, and the Franco-German quantum axis is proving to be its strongest engine. Stay tuned for updates from Munich as we build Europe’s quantum future together.  Press Release from the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS): https://bmds.bund.de/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/detail/deutschland-und-frankreich-praesentieren-gemeinsame-definition-von-digitaler-souveraenitaet      Image: Germany and France present a joint definition of digital sovereignty, screenshot, PR from BMDS website, 17.6.2026 

If anyone still thinks quantum technology is confined to academic labs, recent policy shifts should put that idea to rest for good. We are witnessing a fundamental shift in how global superpowers view the deep-tech supply chain. It is no longer just about research grants; it is about state-backed industrialisation, hardware sovereign control, and massive strategic capital.  Last week, the QBN Working Group International Policy & Business (WG IPB) gathered for an exclusive expert briefing to unpack the deep industrial implications of two massive regulatory and financial moves redrawing our industry’s map: the recent $2B US Equity Investment Initiative in quantum computing and the newly unveiled European Technological Sovereignty Package.  Why These Shifts Matter for the Global Quantum Industry  The quantum ecosystem is hitting an industrial scaling phase, and governments are treating it as a matter of national security, economic resilience and geopolitical power.   The US Approach: Moving beyond traditional grants, the US Department of Commerce’s landmark $2B funding plan under the CHIPS and Science Act marks a major shift toward direct federal equity stakes. By taking minority, non-controlling equity positions in nine key quantum firms, the Trump administration is actively building domestic manufacturing infrastructure, focusing heavily on critical hardware bottlenecks like dedicated foundries, cryo-CMOS, and advanced packaging.   The European Response: On the other side of the Atlantic, the EU’s newly presented Tech Sovereignty Package, anchored by the Cloud & AI Development Act (CADA) and a highly anticipated Chips Act 2.0, seeks to aggressively build domestic infrastructure, scale up localised capacities, and codify strict sovereignty frameworks to reduce deep foreign dependencies – budgets and structures are still pending.  For deep-tech startups, scale-ups, and enterprise customers, these updates rewrite the rules of global fundraising, dual-use compliance, and international partnerships. Navigating this fragmentation requires a seat at the table where industry meets policy.  Behind the Discussion  The closed-door briefing brought together brilliant perspectives across the geopolitical landscape. We were joined by Carl Williams (CJW Quantum Consulting LLC), who provided deep context on the US strategy, and Georg Riekeles (European Policy Centre), who contributed a European perspective while Milja Kalliosaari (IQM) mapped out the complex landscape of Europe’s sovereignty ambitions. The session was expertly driven by our WG IPB Co-chair, Ulrich Mans (QuantWare).  Join the Conversation  Geopolitics and industrial policy are moving faster than ever, directly impacting market access and technology roadmaps. The QBN Working Group International Policy & Business is built exactly for this; it gives our members the clarity, early intelligence, and collaborative network needed to lead in a sovereign-conscious global economy.  Interested in shaping the future of global quantum policy and business? Get in touch to learn how you can participate in our next session.  More about QBN WG IPB: https://qbn.world/home/working-groups/wg-international-policy-business/

The global race to scale quantum technology is defined by industrial policy frameworks. For years, commercialisation timelines were driven by breakthroughs in the laboratory and the availability of venture capital. Today, it’s geopolitics.  As national governments increasingly recognise quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications as critical pillars of national security and economic growth, the rules of market adoption are being rewritten. The race to scale is now actively dictated by national industrial frameworks, shifting export controls, and strategic public procurement.  In this high-stakes landscape, quantum organisations can no longer afford to play defence.  Navigating the True Engines of Quantum Growth  Historically, disruptive innovations, from early semiconductors to the internet, were not scaled by commercial market forces alone. They were pulled into reality by strategic government contracts, sovereign investments, and national industrial frameworks. In the deep-tech ecosystem, public procurement has always been the primary engine accelerating early market adoption. The public sector is not a new player in this space; it is the ultimate first customer.  What has changed is the velocity and complexity of the global landscape. As technological sovereignty takes centre stage, these frameworks are evolving rapidly. For quantum founders, executives, and investors, treating policy as a mere compliance hurdle is a critical error. Strategic market access requires actively aligning corporate scaling roadmaps with these sovereign priorities to capture the immense procurement opportunities designed to scale domestic quantum capabilities.  Strategic market access now requires an offensive approach, one that anticipates regulatory shifts and aligns corporate scaling strategies with the sovereign priorities of the regions in which they operate.  QBN Working Group International Policy & Business (WG IPB): Where Geopolitics Becomes Commercial Strategy  To help our members navigate this complex intersection of international policy, national security, and commercial growth, QBN established the Working Group International Policy & Business (WG IPB).  The mission of WG IPB is to move quantum executives from a defensive posture to an offensive, strategic one. Rather than reacting to geopolitical shifts, our members gather to analyse policy trends early, ensuring their businesses are positioned to capture public procurement opportunities and build resilient, sovereign value chains.  The working group focuses on critical areas including:  Deciphering Industrial Policy: Translating complex global regulatory changes and dual-use frameworks into actionable corporate roadmaps.  Unlocking Public Procurement: Identifying and positioning for strategic public funding and government contracts designed to scale domestic quantum capabilities.  Securing Cross-Border Value Chains: Fostering trusted, international alliances that respect technological sovereignty while enabling global commercial scale.  The quantum economy is scaling rapidly, and the organisations that thrive will be those that actively integrate geopolitical intelligence into their commercial DNA. Don’t wait for the regulatory landscape to shape your future, help shape the landscape.  Join the Discussion  Are you ready to transition from playing defence to driving strategy? QBN members enjoy exclusive access to our working groups, connecting with C-level peers, policy experts, and strategic deep-tech investors.  👉 Discover the Full Mission & Apply to Join the WG IPB  

The quantum economy has reached a critical pivot point. As technical milestones convert into market readiness and geopolitical competition intensifies, passive positioning is no longer viable. For organisations operating in this deep-tech landscape, navigating cross-border trade, securing sovereign supply chains, and building international value chains are now primary business requirements.  To address these shifting dynamics, the QBN Working Group International Policy & Business (WG IPB) convened its inaugural meeting. The session brought together global industry executives, policymakers, and research leaders with a clear mandate: converting complex international policy intelligence into active commercial advantages.  Capital Shifts and Regulatory Boundaries – The Macro View  The working group’s mission aligns with an unprecedented scaling of global capital deployment. According to QBN’s tracking data compiled across global quantum initiatives, state-backed public funding commitments reach €43 billion ($49B) globally. Simultaneously, private VC and enterprise investments in the sector exceed €39B ($45B) continuing to anchor new infrastructure, supporting a base of thousands of quantum-engaged organisations worldwide.  In this heavily capitalised environment, national policy frameworks, export controls, and international trade agreements are no longer secondary regulatory concerns. They are the primary forces dictating market access, supply chain security, and where commercial infrastructure can be deployed.  Industrial Policy in Action – Operational Briefing  The inaugural meeting dedicated its primary deep dive to evaluating the world’s most aggressive public commercialization blueprints, focusing heavily on the operational mechanics of the UK’s newly intensified industrial policy framework:  The UK’s £2B Quantum Programme & Industrial Policy Framework: WG IPB analysed the mechanics behind the UK’s £2 billion national commitment to scale its quantum capabilities. Crucially, the briefing focused on its first-of-its-kind £1 billion procurement programme, designed to directly purchase commercial-scale quantum systems rather than merely funding basic research. Oxford Economics projections show this aggressive procurement blueprint is expected to support up to 100,000 jobs and unlock £212 billion (€248B) in economic gross value added (GVA) over the next two decades, serving as a vital global case study for how state-backed buying power can de-risk a deep-tech market.   RAND Europe QTOPS Perspective: Experts from RAND Europe’s Quantum Technology Observatory for Policy and Society (QTOPS) provided an analytical lens on the UK’s operational framework. The discussion evaluated the “Full-Stack” approach to policy assessing how independent testing, validation, and standards connect across hardware and software loops. The briefing highlighted actionable insights for international stakeholders trying to bridge the commercialization gap from laboratory development to scalable market deployment.    Translating Geopolitics into Corporate Advantage: QBN WG IPB  The WG IPB is designed as an action-oriented forum. By transforming high-level policy intelligence into concrete market access and resilient supply chains, the group serves as a direct catalyst for its members’ long-term global competitiveness.  Participation & Governance:  WG IPB meetings are strictly limited to QBN members and invited guests (RSVP required). By participating, members secure a direct seat at the table where the operational rules of the international quantum economy are being discussed.  Not a member of the Quantum Business Network yet? Shape the global quantum economy and secure your market opportunities.  👉 More about WG IPB  👉 Join QBN Today