Catalonia bets on Quantum Technologies to boost business competitiveness

Catalonia aims to lead the next phase of business adoption of quantum technologies by turning its scientific and technological strengths, which today already position the region as one of Europe’s leading emerging quantum hubs, into economic activity, job creation, and business competitiveness. This ambition was highlighted at the Advancing Business Quantum Technologies work group, held at the Government of Catalonia’s Administrative District and chaired by the Minister for Business and Labour, Miquel Sàmper.

Organized by the Secretariat for Digital Policies, the event brought together Catalonia’s quantum ecosystem with companies from a wide range of industries to accelerate the adoption of quantum technologies across the business sector, with the support of the Government of Catalonia. At the same time, the initiative aims to help Catalan quantum companies grow by empowering startups, scaleups, and technology SMEs so they can secure leadership positions within Europe’s quantum value chain.

The conference created a forum to connect providers and users of quantum technologies for business and industrial applications while exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with their adoption. Its ultimate objective is to define strategic actions that will encourage more companies to integrate quantum solutions into their products and operations, prioritizing sectors with the greatest potential to drive wider adoption, including healthcare and biotechnology, financial services and insurance, energy and advanced manufacturing, logistics and mobility, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure.

 Snapshot of Catalonia’s Quantum Technologies Sector

The conference also featured the presentation of the report Quantum Technologies in Catalonia, prepared by ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, the agency for business growth of the Ministry for Business and Labor, in collaboration with the Secretariat for Digital Policies.

The report identifies an ecosystem of 52 companies dedicated to quantum technologies in Catalonia, employing nearly 470 professionals and generating combined annual revenue of €91.4 million. It also confirms Catalonia’s position as one of Europe’s leading emerging hubs for quantum technologies.

Quantum technologies comprise a range of emerging technologies that harness the principles of quantum mechanics, the branch of physics that studies the behavior of matter at the atomic and subatomic levels. These technologies make it possible to solve highly complex problems faster, more securely, and more efficiently than conventional systems. Their main applications span sectors such as Industry 4.0, aerospace engineering, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, financial services, and telecommunications.

Catalonia’s strength as a top European quantum hub is thanks to an ecosystem that combines excellence in research and development with world-class infrastructure. This includes institutions such as the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) and Spain’s first quantum computer built entirely with European technology, which operates at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. The region is also home to leading drivers in the area, such as research institutions such as the Institute of High Energy Physics and the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, alongside a strong pipeline of specialized talent supported by programs such as the Interuniversity Master’s Degree in Quantum Science and Technology.

Catalonia also stands out for its ability to attract European funding. Between 2022 and the first quarter of 2026, the region secured 44% of all Horizon Europe funding awarded in Spain for projects involving quantum technologies. These funds have supported 53 projects, representing €50 million in investment and accounting for nearly 3% of all quantum-related Horizon Europe funding across the European Union.

Globally, quantum technologies are expected to experience sustained growth, with the quantum computing market forecast to expand at an annual rate of between 12% and 16% over the coming decade. According to the report, the global market is projected to reach an estimated value of $215 billion by 2040, driven by growing demand for advanced computing and cybersecurity capabilities across industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services.