QBC Summit in Paris

QuIC is bringing together its Members and Affiliates for an exclusive two-day summit  —
a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and hear from outstanding guest speakers.

In urgent cases please contact Eva Tomic, eva.tomic@euroquic.org directly.

OVERVIEW

What is the QBC Summit?

The QBC Summit 2026 brings together Europe’s leading quantum innovators, industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to accelerate the adoption of quantum technologies across industry.

 Hosted by the Institut d’Optique in the heart of the Paris-Saclay innovation ecosystem, this exclusive members-only summit will explore how Europe can turn world-class quantum research into commercial success. Through strategic discussions, industry-led sessions, and collaborative networking, participants will examine the challenges and opportunities of moving from innovation to adoption, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and help shape the future of Europe’s quantum industry.

Programme Overview

The programme features a dynamic plenary day with insightful sessions and ample networking time, a dedicated QBC-internal meeting. 

November 3
Plenary Sessions & Networking

A full day of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking focused on quantum strategy, innovation, commercialization, and collaboration across Europe's quantum ecosystem.

November 4
Plenary Sessions & Networking

A full day of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking focused on quantum strategy, innovation, commercialization, and collaboration across Europe's quantum ecosystem.

Programme & Speakers

Tuesday 25/11/2025

14:00 - 16:00

Quantum Technology Initiative: Ongoing Acitivies

16:00 - 16:30

Coffee Break

16:30 - 18:00

Exploring CERN’s Engineering Expertise and Needs

18:00 - 18:30

Coffee Break

18:30 - 19:30

CERN Venture Connect

08:15 - 08:45

Check-In and Welcome Coffee

08:45 - 09:10

Welcome

Thierry Botter

Speaker

Executive Director QuIC

Thomas Strohm

Speaker

Robert Bosch GmbH & President QuIC

Joachim Mnich

Speaker

CERN

09:10 - 09:50

CERN QTI Introduction

Sofia Vallecorsa

Speaker

CERN

Benjamin Frisch

Speaker

CERN

09:50 - 10:10

Deep Dive into the Swiss Quantum Ecosystem

Andreas Masuhr

Speaker

Swiss Quantum Initiative

Moritz Kirste

Speaker

Zurich Instruments, Swiss Quantum Industry Network (SQIN)

10:10 - 10:50

European Quantum Strategy

Thomas Strohm

Speaker

Robert Bosch GmbH & President QuIC

Tomek Schulz

Speaker

kiutra

Elif Kiesow

Speaker

Ethicqual

Laure Le Bars

Moderator

SAP

10:50 - 11:35

Coffee Break

11:35 - 12:15

Quantum for Good: Unlocking the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)

Elif Kiesow

Speaker

Ethicqual

Sara Ibanez

Speaker

QuBIZ Team

Martin Gastal

Moderator

CERN

12:15 - 13:00

Building Quantum Unicorns: Scaling innovative Start-ups in Europe

Jan Goetz

Speaker

IQM

Enrique Lizaso

Speaker

Multiverse Computing

Cecile Perrault

Speaker

Alice & Bob

Alexandra Beckstein

Moderator

QAI Ventures

13:15 - 14:00

Lunch Break

14:00 - 14:40

Quantum Diplomacy: Shaping Global Norms for a Shared Future

Andres Barreneche

Speaker

OECD

Claudia Reinprecht

Speaker

Austrian Ministery BMEIA

Mira Wolf-Bauwens

Speaker

GESDA

Thierry Botter

Moderator

Executive Director QuIC

14:40 - 15:20

Quantum Internet Era: Privacy, Security, and Global Infrastructure

Johanna Sepulveda

Speaker

Airbus

Annick Teepe

Speaker

CERN

Jonathan Ruane

Speaker

MIT, CQN

Rob Thew

Speaker

Group Leader of the Quantum Technologies Group, University of Geneva

Fokko de Bries

Speaker

Qblox

Amanda Diez Fernandez

Moderator

CERN

15:20 - 16:00

Coffee Break

16:00 - 18:00

Site Visits

18:00 - 19:00

Individual Time

19:00 - 22:00

Social Dinner & Award Ceremony

09:00 - 10:30

Site Visits and Welcome Coffee

10:30 - 11:10

Converging Bits and Qubits: How AI, HPC, and Quantum Meet in Real-World Use Cases

Giorgio Cortiana

Speaker

E.ON

Laure Le Bars

Speaker

SAP

Bruno Taketani

Speaker

Qblox

Cecile Perrault

Moderator

Alice & Bob

11:10 - 11:25

Global IP Landscape: A 2025 Update

Guido Paola

Speaker

QDNL

11:25 - 12:05

Standards in Quantum: Practice, Policy & Global Coordination

John Devaney

Speaker

NPL

Tanya Suarez

Speaker

BluSpecs

Bilel Jamoussi

Speaker

ITU

Maciej Lipinski

Speaker

CERN

Gabriele Perrone

Speaker

ETSI

Homer Papadopoulos

Moderator

Research Director of Applied Science

12:05 - 12:15

Quantum Chips Pilot Lines

Alexandra Paul

Speaker

Pasqal

12:15 - 12:55

Cultivating the Quantum Generation

Maninder Kaur

Speaker

QURECA

Thierry Devars

Speaker

European Commission

Rachel Bray

Moderator

CERN

12:55 - 13:10

European Economic Security and Supply Chain Risk Assessement

Thomas Strohm

Speaker

Robert Bosch GmbH & President QuIC

Mattia Giardini

Speaker

Project and Operations Manager, QuIC

13:10 - 13:25

QuIC Update

Thierry Botter

Speaker

QuIC Executive Director

13:25 - 13:30

Closing Remarks

Thierry Botter

Speaker

QuIC Executive Director

Thomas Strom

Speaker

Robert Bosch GmbH & President QuIC

Meet the QBC Summit Steering Committee: Driving Vision and Impact

The programme features a dynamic plenary day with insightful sessions and ample networking time, a dedicated QBC-internal meeting, and guided visits to dedicated areas within the Institut d’Optique Graduate School in Paris-Saclay, France.

Steering Committee

Johan Boullet

Deputy Director for Innovation, Institut d’Optique

Cecile Perrault

QuIC Executive Director

Eva Tomic

QuIC Event Manager

Tanya Suarez

CEO BluSpecs

Eleni Diamanti

CNRS Research Director, Sorbonne Universite & Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor, WeLinQ

Alexandra Paul

Global Public Policy Lead, Pasqal

Martin Knufinke

Senior Expert Quantum Computing, science + computing AG a Bull Company

Marine Xech-Gaspa

Director of Institutional Affairs & Public Policy, Quandela

Asier Arburua

Marketing Manager, Multiverse Computing

Hiro Nakata

COO, Jij Inc., CEO, Jij Europe Ltd.

Olivier Tonneau

Partner, Quantonation

Institute de Optique

Why Institute de Optique in Paris-Saclay?

Founded in 1917, the Institut d’Optique Graduate School is one of the world’s leading institutions for education, research, and innovation in optics, photonics, and quantum science. As a founding member of Université Paris-Saclay, it plays a central role in one of Europe’s most dynamic science and technology ecosystems.

Paris-Saclay’s distinctive strength lies in bringing together the entire innovation value chain—from fundamental research to entrepreneurship, investment, and industrial deployment. The cluster brings together leading universities, research organizations, startups, scale-ups, and global industrial companies, creating an environment where scientific breakthroughs can rapidly translate into real-world applications.

For the QBC Summit, this provides a unique opportunity to focus not only on quantum research, but on the commercialization and adoption of quantum technologies. The ecosystem enables direct engagement with the industries expected to drive quantum adoption, including energy, pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, aerospace, telecommunications, finance, and consumer goods.

Hosting the Summit at Institut d’Optique and within the Paris-Saclay ecosystem reflects QBC’s mission to connect the quantum community with the innovators, industrial partners, investors, and decision-makers who will shape the future of the quantum economy.

How to get to Institute de Optique in Paris-Saclay

The Institut d’Optique at Paris-Saclay is conveniently reached from downtown Paris, regional transport hubs, and international airports, whether you arrive by plane, train, car, or public transport. Clear connections from major transit lines, train stations, and nearby highways make accessing the campus straightforward.

By plane

From Paris-Orly Airport (ORY):

This is the closest airport to the venue. Take the OrlyVal train to „Antony“ station and switch to the RER B train heading south to „Orsay-Ville“. From Orsay-Ville, take Bus 4607 and get off at „De Broglie“.

From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG):

Take the RER B train directly from the airport heading south all the way to the „Orsay-Ville“ station. From there, catch Bus 4607 to the stop „De Broglie„.

Taxi:

A taxi from Orly Airport takes about 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic.

From Paris City Centre / Main Stations:

If you arrive at international train hubs like Gare du Nord or Gare de l’Est, take the RER B line heading south towards Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse.

The Route: Get off at the station „Orsay-Ville„. Go to the bus stop right outside the station and take Bus 4607. Get off at „De Broglie„. The Institut d’Optique Bâtiment 503 is a short walk from the bus stop.

See the RATP website for route planning (a special Île-de-France ticket covering the outer zones is required for the RER).

GPS Location & Address:

Venue: Institut d’Optique Graduate School – Bâtiment 503 (Orsay Site)

Address: 503 Rue du Belvédère, 91400 Orsay, France

Coordinates: Lat: 48.706779, Long: 2.174257

From Paris via N118: Take the N118 highway heading towards „Chartres/Orléans“. Take Exit 9 („Centre Universitaire“) and at the roundabout, take the Rue Louis de Broglie exit, then turn onto Avenue des Sciences to reach the Belvédère campus area.

From the A6 / A10 Highways: Follow the A10 and exit towards the N444 (Versailles / Igny / Bièvres). Continue on the D36 towards Saclay, then at the roundabout turn onto the RD128 following the signs for Orsay / Saint-Aubin / Gif-sur-Yvette.

Plan your Stay

We suggest choosing a hotel close to the Institut d’Optique Graduate School campus, ideally within easy reach by car or on foot, since public transport connections on the Paris-Saclay plateau are more limited than in central Paris.

We can recommend several hotels in the immediate area, all located between Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette and Palaiseau, within a short drive of the venue.

On the map below, you can clearly see the recommended hotels in relation to the venue.

The nearest train station is Orsay-Ville (accessible via RER B), from which Bus 4607 runs to the „De Broglie“ stop, close to the venue. Paris-Orly Airport is approximately 20–25 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.

Venue Information: Institut d’Optique Graduate School – Bâtiment 503, 503 Rue du Belvédère, 91400 Orsay, France

Institut d'Optique – Bâtiment 503, Orsay – Venue & Recommended Hotels

📍 VENUE: Institut d'Optique
Novotel Paris Saclay
Campanile Prime
Best Western Plus
Adagio Access

Your Perfect Stay

Registration

With a limited number of spots available, we encourage you to secure your place early.
Don’t wait – register today!

Become a Host at QBC Summit

Want to bring Europe’s large quantum industry sector to your location? Become host of the next QBC Summit.

Serving as host of the QBC Summit allows your organisation to shine as focal point for Europe‘s quantum business leaders, policymakers, government officials, top researchers and other influential stakeholders. The opportunity provides international visibility and a chance to showcase your local quantum ecosystem. You also get to shape the QBC Summit agenda. You help set the key quantum-related topics that Europe must tackle to grow and position its community as a global leader.  

Host serve as co-organisers, providing the facilities, human capital and other necessary resources to ensure an impactful community event. They work in tandem with the QuIC central team to ensure all organisational aspects of the Summit can be realised.

Want to host the next QBC Summit? Express your interest by completing the form below.

What previous Hosts say

Hosting QuIC plenary meeting in 2023 was a great possibility for VTT and the Finnish quantum ecosystem to showcase the unique quantum know how of the north. All key stakeholders from the European quantum community joined us during two days in Espoo for sharing the latest updates and networking. As regional program we also offered our guests a possibility to visit the facilities of IQM, Bluefors or VTT after the plenary, for a deep dive into regional strongholds.

Hosting the QuIC Plenary meeting in Madrid was a key milestone in bringing together Spain’s quantum community, national authorities, and their European peers. The event highlighted AMETIC’s strong commitment to fostering innovation among its members while showcasing the remarkable capabilities and talent of Spanish companies and startups.