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 03/11/2026 - Where does Europe need to go?
  1. 08:00 - 09:00

    Breakfast

  2. 09:00 - 09:10

    Welcome

    Cécile Perrault

    Cécile Perrault

    Speaker

    Executive Director, QuIC

    Thomas Strohm

    Thomas Strohm

    Speaker

    Chief Expert for Quantum Technologies, Robert Bosch GmbH & President QuIC

  3. 09:10 - 09:40

    Opening Keynote: Institute d’Optique at 503: From Bell Tests to Quantum Technologies

    Philippe Grangier

    Philippe Grangier

    Speaker

    Research Director emeritus at CNRS

  4. 09:40 - 09:55

    Opening Perspective - Europe’s Quantum Moment: Where Do We Stand and What Comes Next?

    Christian Trefzger

    Christian Trefzger

    Speaker

    Principal Administrator, Quantum Technologies & High-Performance Computing, European Commission (DG CONNECT)

  5. 09:55 - 10:10

    A Strategic Research and Industry Agenda for Quantum Europe

    Eleni Diamanti

    Eleni Diamanti

    Speaker

    CNRS Research Director at Sorbonne Université, Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor, WeLinQ

  6. 10:10 - 10:45

    From European Ambition to Industrial Reality: What Does Europe Need to Get Right?

  7. 10:45 - 11:30

    Coffee Break

  8. 11:30 - 12:10

    Building the European Quantum Supply Chain

  9. 12:10 - 12:50

    European Quantum Sovereignty: What does Europe need to control?

  10. 12:50 - 13:30

    Quantum & Defence: From Strategic Interest to Capability

    Tanya Suarez

    Tanya Suarez

    Moderator

    CEO, BluSpecs

    Stefan Jung

    Stefan Jung

    Speaker

    Innovation & Technology Manager, Diehl Defence

  11. 13:30 - 14:15

    Lunch Break

  12. 14:15 - 15:00

    Investment, Funding, Finance: How do we get European Companies to scale

    Olivier Tonneau

    Olivier Tonneau

    Moderator

    Partner, Quantization

    Guillaume Morelli

    Guillaume Morelli

    Speaker

    Head of Listing France & Iberia, Euronext

  13. 15:00 - 15:45

    Industry Roundtable: From Quantum Potential to Industrial Adoption

  14. 15:45 - 16:30

    Coffee Break - Matchmaking with Industry

  15. 16:30 - 18:00

    Site Visits

  16. 18:00 - 19:00

    Individual Time

  17. 19:00 - 22:00

    Social Dinner & Award Ceremony

Wednesday 04/11/2026 - How do we make it happen?
  1. 09:00 - 09:30

    QuIC Strategy: Where do we go from here?

  2. 09:30 - 10:10

    From Quantum to the Computing Stack: Quantum + HPC + AI

    Cécile Perrault

    Cécile Perrault

    Moderator

    Executive Director, QuIC

    Jorge Tiago Santos

    Jorge Tiago Santos

    Speaker

    IQM Quantum Computers

  3. 10:10 - 10:40

    Quantum Standards

    Homer Papadopoulos

    Homer Papadopoulos

    Moderator

    Research Director of Applied Science

    Gabriele Perrone

    Gabriele Perrone

    Speaker

    Technical Officer, ETSI

  4. 10:40 - 11:20

    Quantum Trade: Export Controls, IP and Global Markets

    Guido Paola

    Guido Paola

    Speaker

    IP Portfolio Manager, QDNL

    Tuomas Nirvi

    Tuomas Nirvi

    Speaker

    Director, Trade Compliance and Public Affairs, Bluefors

  5. 11:20 - 11:35

    Responsible Quantum: Why ELSA Matters

  6. 11:35 - 12:00

    Building Quantum Talent: Education, Skills and Talent

  7. 12:00 - 12:30

    What QuIC is telling Europe? From Position Papers to Action

  8. 12:30 - 12:45

    Closing Remarks

    Cécile Perrault

    Cécile Perrault

    Speaker

    Executive Director, QuIC

    Thomas Strohm

    Thomas Strohm

    Speaker

    Chief Expert for Quantum Technologies, Robert Bosch GmbH & President QuIC

  9. 12:45 - 13:45

    Lunch Break

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

David Morcuende

QuIC Networking Manager

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

Daphne Ricard

Public Policy Analyst, 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

Social Dinner

Social Dinner & Award Ceremony

Connecting people. Celebrating impact. Shaping the future of quantum.

The QBC Summit is more than a platform for discussion and collaboration. It is an opportunity to bring together the people driving Europe’s quantum industry forward.

Join us for an exclusive evening aboard the Boat Tennessee, as the QBC community comes together for dinner, networking, and the celebration of outstanding achievements in quantum technologies.

The evening will feature the QuIC Impact Award and the QuIC Group Leader of the Year Award, recognising exceptional contributions, leadership, and impact across the quantum ecosystem.

Set against the iconic backdrop of the Seine, this special gathering offers an opportunity to strengthen connections, celebrate the people behind progress, and look ahead to the next chapter of quantum innovation in Europe.

The Boat Tennessee cruising on the Seine in Paris, with the Pont Neuf in the background View of the Eiffel Tower from the deck of the Boat Tennessee

Venue

Boat Tennessee on the Seine

Award

QuIC Impact Award

Award

QuIC Group Leader of the Year Award

The cruise route

Along the Seine past the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre and Notre-Dame.

Swipe to see the full route →

An evening to connect, recognise achievement, and celebrate the future of quantum, together.

Reserve your spot

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.