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  • 🔵 The Quantum Insider Weekly | Swiss Strategy. Pasqal SPAC. And More News in Quantum.

🔵 The Quantum Insider Weekly | Swiss Strategy. Pasqal SPAC. And More News in Quantum.

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FROM THE EDITOR.

Money is continuing to flow into the quantum sector. It’s a sign that investors still see long-term value in technologies that remain early in their commercial life.

This week brought several reminders that capital and science are moving in tandem. On the business side, neutral-atom hardware company Pasqal revealed plans to go public through a SPAC transaction, while quantum chemistry startup Kvantify closed additional funding to expand its hybrid quantum-classical platform for molecular discovery.

Links to those stories are below.

Investments like these often grab the headlines, but they tend to rest on a quieter foundation: steady research progress inside labs and university partnerships that continue to chip away at quantum computing’s technical hurdles.

A pair of studies we highlighted this week show that dynamic.

Quantum Elements and collaborators reported a technique that blends quantum error detection with dynamical decoupling — two methods aimed at suppressing noise — to achieve unusually high fidelity for entangled logical qubits on a superconducting quantum processor.

Meanwhile, an international team that included researchers from IBM Quantum synthesized and imaged a carbon-based molecule whose electrons follow a half-twisted Möbius-like pattern. To validate parts of the chemical modeling, the team turned to a quantum processor using 72 qubits — potentially one of the largest quantum chemistry simulations attempted for this type of system.

None of these developments are the kind that dominate social media feeds and make hand-wavy headlines. But, over time, they illustrate the underlying rhythm of the quantum industry — investment fueling companies, research advancing the science and both sides reinforcing each other week after week.

Have a great weekend!

— Matt, Chief Content Officer at The Quantum Insider

INSIDER BRIEF. 

The Noteworthy & Nuanced

The Special Competitive Studies Project has launched the Commission on U.S. Quantum Primacy, a bipartisan group tasked with shaping a national strategy to preserve U.S. leadership in quantum technologies. The 14-member commission includes representatives from Congress, national laboratories, academia, and companies such as IonQ, IBM, and Google Quantum AI. Its work will focus on strengthening the domestic quantum industrial base, advancing secure quantum-enabled systems and algorithms, and integrating quantum and classical technologies.

Switzerland has released a national quantum strategy aimed at maintaining its global leadership in quantum technologies by improving coordination among research institutions, industry, and government. The plan proposes investments of 200-300 million CHF, the creation of a national quantum hub, and expanded infrastructure such as cleanrooms and specialized facilities for sensing, communication, and simulation. While Switzerland hosts more than 200 research groups in quantum science, the strategy emphasizes the need to translate academic strength into startups, commercial technologies, and private investment.

The RIKEN Center for Computational Science and Singapore’s National Quantum Computing Hub have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to collaborate on hybrid quantum–HPC systems and applications. The partnership will focus on developing middleware and system software to integrate quantum and classical computing platforms, with shared access to resources including Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer. The agreement builds on a broader Japan–Singapore government partnership. — Alan Kanapin, Analyst at The Quantum Insider

The Research Rundown

Check out this week’s handpicked quantum research. These are studies headed for real-world impact: improving accuracy, reducing latency, using fewer resources, or solving problems that classical methods struggle with. These are early developments, but they hint at where quantum might earn its keep.

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➡️ Switzerland has released a national quantum strategy aimed at strengthening its position as an international hub for quantum science and technology while accelerating the commercialization of research.

➡️ The strategy highlights Switzerland’s strong academic base — with more than 200 quantum research groups and extensive international collaboration — but notes that relatively few startups and scale-ups have emerged from this research ecosystem.

➡️ Key priorities include building translational infrastructure such as quantum testbeds and engineering platforms, expanding commercialization pathways, and establishing a state-supported deep-tech fund to help companies scale.

➡️ The report argues Switzerland can lead in specific areas such as quantum sensing and networking but must move faster to bridge the gap between scientific excellence and industrial deployment.

Analyst Commentary

A precision instrument for the quantum era. And who knows precision like the Swiss?

Switzerland has long been known for precision engineering, world-class research institutions and stable financial infrastructure. The newly released Swiss Quantum Strategy suggests the country intends to apply those same attributes to the emerging quantum technology economy.

The document — released this week — outlines how Switzerland hopes to position itself as an international hub for quantum science, innovation and commercialization, while maintaining the open research culture that helped build its scientific reputation.

At first glance, the strategy reads less like a dramatic policy shift and more like a careful attempt to reinforce a system that already works reasonably well.

But between the lines, the report also addresses a critical challenge that many nations are facing. Switzerland produces excellent quantum research, yet comparatively few companies capable of scaling globally.

A research powerhouse with a commercialization gap

The Swiss quantum ecosystem rests on a strong scientific foundation.

More than 200 research groups are active in quantum science and technology across Swiss universities and institutes, and Swiss publications frequently involve international collaborators. Roughly 88% of Swiss quantum publications include international partners, one of the highest collaboration rates globally.

That openness has helped Switzerland punch above its weight in fundamental research. Institutions such as ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Geneva and IBM Research Zurich have produced influential work across quantum optics, cryptography and solid-state systems.

Yet the strategy acknowledges that relatively few startups and scale-ups have emerged from this research base, particularly compared with the number of academic breakthroughs.

Part of that reflects Switzerland’s broader economic philosophy.

Unlike countries that aggressively subsidize “national champion” technology firms, Switzerland traditionally takes a lighter industrial policy approach. The private sector drives commercialization, while government focuses on creating favorable conditions for innovation rather than directing it.

That model has produced globally competitive industries in sectors like pharmaceuticals, robotics and precision instruments. But quantum technology — with its long development cycles and high capital requirements — may require a more deliberate bridging mechanism.

The missing middle: infrastructure and scaling

A recurring theme throughout the strategy is the so-called “valley of death” between research and commercialization.

Quantum technologies often take years to mature, require specialized infrastructure such as cryogenic systems and nanofabrication facilities, and demand sustained engineering effort before reaching practical applications.

Universities are well suited for early-stage research, but they rarely provide the engineering infrastructure needed to move prototypes toward industrial systems.

The strategy therefore places significant emphasis on translational infrastructure — shared facilities and engineering platforms designed to bridge this gap.

These could include:

  • cryogenic engineering platforms

  • photonic and superconducting testbeds

  • quantum communication networks

  • national quantum simulation facilities

Such infrastructure would allow startups and small companies to test and scale technologies without relocating abroad or relying exclusively on university laboratories.

In practical terms, this middle layer of infrastructure could determine whether Swiss quantum innovation remains primarily academic or develops into a globally competitive industry.

Four technology pillars

The strategy organizes Switzerland’s quantum ambitions around four main technical domains.

The first is quantum communication, where Swiss researchers have historically played an important role in quantum cryptography and secure networking.

Yet the report warns that Switzerland lacks a national quantum communication test network, even as other regions — including the EU, China and South Korea — are deploying large quantum key distribution infrastructure.

The second pillar is quantum computing, a field still far from practical large-scale machines. Current systems typically operate with hundreds of qubits, while fault-tolerant applications may require hundreds of thousands.

The strategy suggests Switzerland may not necessarily build a full-scale quantum computer domestically but could contribute across the stack — hardware components, algorithms, software and enabling technologies.

The third pillar is quantum simulation, which uses controlled quantum systems to study complex physics or chemistry problems. Researchers believe this area may produce useful scientific applications sooner than universal quantum computers.

The fourth is quantum sensing and metrology, where Switzerland may already hold a structural advantage.

Because the country has long specialized in high-precision instrumentation — from atomic clocks to semiconductor measurement tools — quantum sensors fit naturally into its industrial ecosystem.

Some sensing technologies are already approaching commercial maturity and could become an early revenue source for the broader quantum sector.

Financing the deep-tech pipeline

If infrastructure is one missing piece, financing is another.

Quantum hardware development can take more than seven years before a viable product appears. That timeline often exceeds the investment horizon of traditional venture capital funds.

To address this gap, the strategy recommends establishing a state-supported deep-tech investment fund capable of mobilizing large amounts of long-term capital.

Such a fund could eventually channel multi-billion-franc investments over the next decade while leveraging private capital through public-private partnerships.

The goal is not to replace private investment but to reduce risk and encourage deeper participation from institutional investors.

The strategy also highlights an often overlooked element of quantum development: workforce training.

Historically, the quantum workforce has been dominated by PhD-level physicists. But scaling a quantum industry requires a much broader range of skills — technicians, engineers, software developers and manufacturing specialists.

Switzerland’s vocational training system could become an important advantage here.

Roughly two-thirds of Swiss students pursue apprenticeship pathways that combine classroom instruction with hands-on technical work. Expanding those programs into areas such as cryogenics, quantum optics and microwave electronics could help build the practical workforce needed to support the industry.

Strengths — and realistic expectations

One of the more refreshing aspects of the Swiss strategy is its relatively measured tone.

Unlike some national quantum strategies that frame the technology as a geopolitical race, the Swiss document repeatedly emphasizes international collaboration and open research networks.

It also acknowledges that full-scale quantum computing may still be many years away and that practical applications remain uncertain.

Instead of promising immediate breakthroughs, the strategy focuses on building durable capabilities: strong research institutions, shared engineering infrastructure and patient capital.

In that sense, the approach mirrors Switzerland’s broader economic model.

Rather than trying to dominate the entire quantum technology stack, the country may aim to specialize in areas where it already excels — precision instrumentation, sensing technologies and advanced components — while participating in a globally interconnected ecosystem.

If the strategy succeeds, Switzerland may not produce the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer.

But it could become one of the places where much of the enabling technology behind the quantum economy quietly takes shape.

DATA SPOTLIGHT.

PacketLight Networks and NEC demonstrated quantum key distribution over a 400G dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network using a dual-fiber setup. They integrated NEC’s QKD system with PacketLight’s PL-4000M 600G Muxponder, achieving 100% data throughput and low latency, verified via a 100GbE tester. The QKD ran over a dedicated parallel fiber, maintaining quantum signal integrity. The result: a cost-effective, scalable quantum-safe model with zero performance tradeoffs on existing high-capacity infrastructure.

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS.

🛡️ Enterprise AI risk is increasingly shifting from model training to inference, where models are queried and sensitive prompts and proprietary logic become exposed. In a webinar hosted by The Quantum Insider with 01Quantum, speakers warned that inference is emerging as a key cybersecurity vulnerability and urged organizations to begin post-quantum preparation, including inventorying cryptographic dependencies and adopting crypto-agile security practices. Watch the full webinar replay to hear the panelists’ insights on securing AI systems for 2026 and beyond.

👩‍💻 Phasecraft has joined a University of Maryland ARLIS-led contract supporting DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, which aims to assess whether utility-scale quantum computing is achievable by 2033. The company will apply its hardware-agnostic quantum algorithms to estimate resource requirements for applications such as materials modeling and optimization to inform U.S. government validation efforts.

🏢 The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park has launched an On-Ramp program providing interim lab space and infrastructure at facilities including mHUB, the UChicago Science Incubator, and the Discovery Partners Institute for future park tenants. Early participants such as IBM, Pasqal, Diraq, and Quantum Machines can begin research and collaboration in Illinois ahead of the park’s full opening.

🇪🇺 A leaked draft of the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act reportedly removes quantum computing, AI, and semiconductors from the list of strategic technologies required to be produced in Europe to access government support. The revised proposal instead prioritizes traditional heavy industry and clean-energy sectors, highlighting internal EU divisions over how to support advanced technology development.

🔒️ QuSecure has received a $3.9 million SBIR TACFI contract from AFWERX to develop quantum-resilient encryption capabilities for U.S. Air Force missions, including systems used by Air Force Global Strike Command. The project will advance the QuProtect R3 platform toward Impact Level 6 authorization for classified cloud deployment by Q3 2026.

💰️ Pasqal has agreed to merge with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. II in a SPAC deal that would list the neutral-atom quantum computing company on Nasdaq at a $2 billion valuation. The transaction could deliver over $600 million in proceeds to support Pasqal’s technology roadmap, commercialization, and global expansion.

💸 Rigetti reported $7.1 million in 2025 revenue and a $216.2 million net loss while continuing to invest heavily in superconducting quantum hardware and system deployments. The company highlighted new hardware orders alongside technical progress in gate fidelity, chiplet-based scaling, and ongoing collaboration with Riverlane on quantum error correction.

🧪 Kvantify has secured a second close of its €7 million funding round, backed by the European Innovation Council Fund and Delphinus Venture Capital, to advance its quantum-classical platform for molecular discovery. The investment will support commercialization of its Qrunch platform and expand partnerships with drug discovery organizations to test quantum chemistry workflows on current quantum hardware.

🇨🇳 China’s new five-year development plan places AI and quantum computing at the center of national strategy, with investments in scalable quantum computers, an integrated space-earth quantum communication network, and large computing infrastructure to support advanced AI systems. The policy also prioritizes emerging technologies such as humanoid robotics, 6G, brain-machine interfaces, and fusion.

💵 Quantum Computing Inc. has acquired quantum communications company NuCrypt for $5 million in cash and stock, adding its technologies and patents in quantum optics, RF-photonics, and photonic signal processing to QCi’s portfolio. NuCrypt will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary as QCi expands into quantum communications and photonics-based secure networking solutions.

🇺🇸 The Special Competitive Studies Project has launched the Commission on U.S. Quantum Primacy, a bipartisan group of leaders from government, industry, and national labs tasked with developing a national strategy to maintain U.S. leadership in quantum technologies. The commission will focus on strengthening the quantum industrial base, preserving information advantages through secure systems and algorithms, and accelerating integration between quantum and classical technologies before issuing policy recommendations.

🤝 Kvantify is partnering with Aarhus University and Aalborg University on the ODAQS project, a DKK 17.4 million initiative funded by Innovation Fund Denmark to develop advanced quantum software for drug discovery. Running from 2026–2029, the project focuses on algorithms, software optimization, and automated quantum program generation to reduce technical barriers and accelerate quantum chemistry applications in life sciences.

🧠 Chromos Labs, Tessara Therapeutics, Quantum Brilliance, Axol Biosciences, and the University of Melbourne have formed a consortium to develop a quantum-enabled brain-on-chip platform that uses diamond-based sensors to measure real-time electrical activity in 3D human neural micro-tissues. Backed by Australian government funding, the project aims to improve neurological drug development by providing more accurate human-relevant models and scalable manufacturing for quantum diamond sensor chips.

☁️ Qoro has launched Solo, a self-serve cloud platform that enables developers and researchers to design, test, and scale hybrid quantum-classical workloads across CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs without complex infrastructure setup. Built on Qoro’s Divi, Composer, and Maestro technologies, the platform streamlines simulation and orchestration.

🤝 Arqit and RAD announced a partnership to integrate Arqit’s NetworkSecure™ key generation technology with RAD’s ETX Carrier Edge platform, enabling telecom operators to offer quantum-safe services such as site-to-site VPNs, site-to-cloud VPNs, and data center interconnects.

EVENTS.

March 3-6 -- SIAM Conference on Parallel Processing for Scientific Computing (SIAM SC26), Berlin.

March 16-20 -- Quantum Resources will be held in Tokyo, Japan. The conference brings together leading experts and emerging voices in the field to explore the latest theoretical insights, operational applications, and future directions of quantum resource theories.

March 24 -- Quantum Security & Defence World Symposium -- Taking place at the Palais des Congrès de Paris, this half-day event convenes industry, government, and research leaders to address quantum security and defence challenges, including quantum-secure communications, certification paths, and practical deployment strategies amid the rising Quantum-AI era.

March 24 -- Convergence Quantum II (CQII) hosted by The Convergence Center for Applied Quantum Computing at The Engine in Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA, defines the next generation of drug discovery through applied quantum use cases, biopharma insights and investor perspectives,

April 6-8 -- International Conference on Quantum Communications, Networking, and Computing (QCNC 2026) -- Taking place in Kobe, Japan, this IEEE-hosted conference covers advances in quantum communications, networking, computing, cryptography, and related systems, featuring research presentations and industry discussions across key tracks in the field.

April 9–11 -- TQCEBT 2026 -- Hosted at CHRIST University’s Pune Lavasa Campus in India, this interdisciplinary event explores quantum computing advancements alongside emerging business technology applications, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and business leaders.

Apr 22–23 -- Mathematics & Physics Frontiers 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany is an international forum uniting mathematicians, physicists, engineers, data scientists, and technology innovators from across the globe to explore groundbreaking advances at the intersection of theory and application.

April 27-30 -- The Quantum Matter International Conference & Expo (QUANTUMatter2026) will take place at the Barceló Sants Hotel in Barcelona.

June 4-5 -- Q2B Tokyo 2026 will be held exclusively in-person and presented in Japanese and English, with real-time interpretation.

June 10-11 — The Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit in Warsaw, Poland will feature the Quantum Dreams track, gathering international leaders, researchers, and emerging talent across the quantum ecosystem.

June 16 -- France Quantum -- the premier event showcasing the French Quantum ecosystem to the world.

June 22-24 -- IQT Nordics: Oslo, Norway

June 25-26 -- Quantum.Tech World -- Empowering Quantum, AI & HPC at Enterprise – Scale, co-located with Quantum.Tech World will be held at Encore Boston Harbor in Boston, United States.

July 1-3 – The 2026 IEEE International Conference on Quantum Control, Computing, and Learning (IEEE qCCL 2026) will take place from Wednesday to Friday, July 1-3, 2026