In November 2025, CERN hosted the Quantum Business Community (QBC) Summit, the annual gathering of the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC), of which CERN is an associate member. The event brought together more than 100 participants and featured nine panels as well as keynote speeches from industry leaders, providing a space to guide Europe's next strategic steps in the emerging field of quantum technology.

"CERN has consistently served as a learning ground for new technologies that are later disseminated broadly for applications," said Thierry Botter, QuIC Executive Director. "There is no better place than CERN to strike up delicate yet honest quantum conversations."

As quantum technologies steadily move from the labs to real-world applications, CERN is increasingly contributing to this transition by providing relevant expertise and potential applications through collaboration with industry in its Member and Associate Member States.

"Today, through its Quantum Technology Initiative (QTI), CERN offers a platform for innovation," said Sofia Vallecorsa, QTI coordinator, "where co-development opportunities can flourish, advancing quantum technologies for CERN and beyond."

Quantum technology has become a "top priority for the European Commission", noted the European Innovation Council's Gustav Kalbe. It is on track to become "the biggest technology that is used in our everyday life" and must be "pushed to the user industry for its wide adoption". This underscores the need to accelerate Europe's move into the quantum era by advancing research, boosting development and delivering marketable products. Potential applications span climate modelling, cybersecurity, materials development, communication and healthcare. As highlighted during the Summit's Quantum for Good panel, moderated by the Open Quantum Institute, which is hosted at CERN, many quantum tools could, in the future, help solve societal challenges.

Speakers stressed the importance of bridging the gap between research and applications to identify end users early and drive targeted development. CERN was cited as a good example of both a testbed and later an end user. "Through the QTI, CERN is seeking, for example, to provide potential applications for quantum computers and make its technology and expertise available to quantum technology companies," said Amanda Diez Fernández, who coordinates partnerships for the QTI.

CERN is contributing directly to building strong quantum startups through CERN Venture Connect, a programme supporting deep-tech startups by providing access to CERN technologies and a global network of investors and partners. "In this way, CERN could spark new startups and become a consumer for their quantum technologies," said Tomek Schulz, co-founder and COO of Kiutra, a German startup providing scalable cryogenic cooling solutions. Schulz also noted CERN's "crucial role in the creation and education of talent in regard to quantum and beyond".

Experts on the panels spoke about key European initiatives for quantum communications, such as the Quantum Internet Alliance and the EuroQCI, as well as recent local initiatives, such as Geneva's first six-node quantum network. These advances, ranging from secure communication to the longer-term vision of a quantum internet, illustrate how rapidly the field is evolving.

Quantum technology is still in its early stages but shows great promise. As the International Year of Quantum draws to a close, Benjamin Frisch, leader of Business Development at CERN, reflected on the momentum generated throughout the year, concluding that "progress in the quantum field depends on strong collaboration across research, industry and policy, with each entity playing a crucial role in ensuring that quantum technologies develop responsibly and deliver real value to society".

Find out more about the CERN Quantum Technology Initiative.