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insight
Denmark’s strong position in quantum research and development just received a massive boost, as the Novo Nordisk foundation announced a 1.5 bio. DKK investment towards the development of a fully functional quantum computer.
Under the leadership of Professor Peter Krogstrup Jeppesen, the new Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme will produce hardware for the quantum computer and explore and develop the best platform for the brain of the computer, the so-called Qbits.
Lene Oddershede, Vice President at the Novo Nordisk Foundation stats that “today’s announcement is a huge step forward for the Danish quantum ecosystem. It is a highly ambitious project and we will bring together partners from the strong Danish universities and companies and cooperate closely with international partners. The project will advance the research and practical use of quantum technology enormously and underlines our ambition to make Denmark the world leader in developing quantum technologies that can solve real problems for our societies.”
The program will run for twelve years and will fittingly, be located at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, the birthplace of Quantum Mechanics.
Quantum theory was developed in Copenhagen in the 1920’ies and 1930’ies when leading scientists came to Copenhagen from all over the world to learn, discuss and interact with Niels Bohr and his co-workers.
Today, the approach to quantum mechanics developed by Bohr and fellow researchers is known as the Copenhagen Interpretation and it has become the default conception taught in quantum physics all over the world.
“Today’s investment is a historic step to develop new technology based on the basic research carried out in our buildings a hundred years ago. We are happy that Denmark can be front and center in Quantum research with such a strong focus on the practical use of the technology", says Professor Jan W. Thomsen, Director at the Niels Bohr Institute, and continues; "this investment significantly strengthens the Danish Quantum ecosystem and makes Copenhagen a powerhouse for quantum materials development. The significance of today’s announcement is clear as we join some of the World’s largest tech companies in the exiting journey it is to build a fully functional quantum computer. Denmark is now an even more attractive place to develop quantum technology and we hope the Danish Quantum Ecosystem will attract researchers and companies from around the world.
"The Danish Quantum sector is moving forward at impressive speed. Today’s investment underlines that Danish researchers are among the best in the world and that Denmark again is leading the way to develop new technological solutions to some of our biggest challenges within life sciences and the green transition. The Danish Quantum ecosystem is strong and foreign companies can benefit by joining us here in Denmark. There is no doubt that Denmark is the place to be and we are ready to help companies settle in to one of the leading quantum ecosystems and join the exiting journey here in Denmark."Anne Hougaard Jensen
Director, Invest in Denmark
This exciting news comes not more than a week after the Novo Nordisk Foundation also released the news that they are to support a new research project, which aims to solve the major challenges of transferring quantum chemical calculations from classical computers to quantum computers. In addition, another investment has been made to create a new IBM Quantum Hub at the University of Copenhagen, which will give researchers the opportunity to test their calculations, algorithms, and models on some of the most advanced quantum computers of today. This strong momentum is further supported by the new NATO-Accelerator and test-site that will bring companies from around the world to Copenhagen to develop their technology.
Contact our advisors if you want to know more about the Danish quantum sector.
