Paris – May 12th, 2026 – This evening, over a hundred high-level representatives from French and German industry, policy, start-up and investment sectors will gather for a reception hosted by the German Ambassador to France, His Excellency Mr Stefan Steinlein, with the support of the French Embassy in Germany. This event reflects the growing importance of quantum technologies for Europe’s technological and industrial sovereignty, building on the French-German agenda agreed in August 2025. France and Germany are home to some of the world’s leading players in this field.
At the heart of this dialogue lies a clear ambition: to strengthen ties and coordination between French and German industry, policymaking, funding, innovation and research. By connecting key players across borders and across the value chain, the initiative aims to help Europe accelerate the development and adoption of sovereign, competitive and market-ready quantum technologies.
With the same spirit, on the margins of today’s event, a group of leading industry and research organisations will sign a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen cooperation in quantum technologies and support the development of a competitive European quantum ecosystem.
Signed by CEA, Fraunhofer, CNRS, Inria, Le Lab Quantique, Quandela, QUTAC and the European Champions Alliance, this Declaration of Intent solidifies the stakeholders’ commitment to deepening and accelerating exchanges, partnerships and synergies.
Their cooperation will focus on four objectives:
- the development of use cases for the industry and end-users of quantum technologies;
- benchmarking and the development of credible and scalable pathways for the adoption of quantum technologies in Europe;
- the facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogues among industry, policymaking, funding, innovation and research, with a focus on accelerating deployment;
- the promotion and dissemination of success stories demonstrating the industrial development and commercial use of quantum technologies.
The signatories also reaffirm their commitment to an open and collaborative approach, inviting additional stakeholders to join and contribute to these efforts.
About CEA
The CEA is a public research organisation whose mission is to contribute to the scientific, technological and industrial sovereignty of France and Europe in four key areas: low-carbon energy, digital technology, future medicine, and defence and security, by drawing on excellence in fundamental research. For more information: www.cea.fr
About CNRS
A major player in basic research worldwide, the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is the only French organisation active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist enables it to bring together all of the scientific disciplines in order to shed light on and understand the challenges of today’s world, in connection with public and socio-economic stakeholders. Together, the different sciences contribute to sustainable progress that benefits society as a whole.
About European Champions Alliance
The European Champion Alliance (ECA) promotes European technology, European values and works to strengthen through a conscious business-related interdependence between European companies and all participants of the European economic ecosystem. To achieve this goal, the ECA builds bridges between national ecosystems, SMEs, companies, start-ups and other supporters of the tech ecosystem in Europe. The ECA harnesses the power of smart collaboration and accelerate the growth of Europe’s digital champions.
About Fraunhofer
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, headquartered in Germany, is the world’s leading applied research organization. With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial exploitation of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for ground-breaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates more than 70 institutes and research institutions throughout Germany.
About Inria
Inria, the French national institute for research in digital science and technology, supports the French government in national research and innovation strategies in the digital field, acting as Digital Programs Agency. Inria leads over 300 research and innovation projects with its 3,500 scientists, engineers, and support staff, in partnership with universities and the digital ecosystem (businesses, entrepreneurs, and public stakeholders). Together, we explore strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cloud technologies, digital transformation in healthcare, digital twins, and digital technologies for defence. We develop practical solutions such as software, tech startups, partnerships with national companies, and cutting-edge training programmes. Our goal is to drive scientific, technological, and industrial excellence to ensure France’s digital sovereignty.
About Le Lab Quantique
Le Lab Quantique is a French not-for-profit organisation created in 2018 to support the emergence of the global quantum ecosystem, gathering more than 50 members and partners and organising more than 20 workshops per year. Its mission is to foster the emergence of talent capable of addressing the major challenges of quantum physics, while also guiding the development of entrepreneurial and industrial projects towards the market launch of new products and services.
About Quandela
Quandela is a global leader in quantum computing, designing, building, and delivering cutting-edge quantum solutions for research and industry. Its offerings include the most energy-efficient quantum computers for data centers, full-stack quantum computing solutions accessible via the cloud, and algorithm access services for academic and industrial customers. Following a pragmatic, step-by-step roadmap, Quandela has been deploying industrial-grade systems since 2023 while developing future generations of fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of scaling through the integration of thousands of photonic components. Quandela is committed to making quantum computing accessible to all in order to address the most complex industrial and societal challenges. Learn more at: https://www.quandela.com/
About QUTAC
QUTAC (Quantum Technology & Application Consortium) is a consortium of internationally active German companies from various sectors and potential users of quantum computing technology. It intends to promote the politically desired digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe and to establish an economically successful, independent ecosystem of quantum computing technology in Germany and for Europe. To this end, the members of the consortium want to identify, develop, test and make available use cases for quantum computing technology both for their own sectors and across sectors. Learn more at www.qutac.de
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