WISeKey International Holding and its subsidiary, SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canton of Jura to establish a Swiss Post-Quantum Semiconductor and Cybersecurity Center. The proposed public-private initiative will invest an indicative CHF 40-60 million over six years to build sovereign semiconductor capabilities within Switzerland, focusing on design, personalization, and secure provisioning.
The Jura Center will center around SEALSQ’s QS7001 Quantum Shield, a secure semiconductor implementing post-quantum algorithms standardized by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, and is projected to create over 250 direct jobs in the Canton of Jura by year eight.
SEALSQ, WISeKey, and Jura Canton Establish Post-Quantum Semiconductor Center
The center will focus on the design, testing, and secure provisioning of post-quantum semiconductor technologies, aiming to address the growing need for cryptographic security in a world threatened by quantum computing. Specifically, the center will utilize ML-KEM and ML-DSA, algorithms selected for their resistance to attacks from both classical and quantum computers. Capabilities will extend beyond design to include cryptographic root-of-trust injection, secure firmware personalization, and certification, with plans to progressively integrate ASIC design expertise.
This comprehensive approach intends to establish a fully sovereign supply chain for secure semiconductors within Switzerland. The project builds on the Canton of Jura’s established strengths in precision manufacturing and microtechnology, historically rooted in the region’s watchmaking tradition. Skills in precision, quality control, and traceability, hallmarks of Jura’s industrial heritage, will be transferred into the specialized field of secure semiconductor personalization.
Approximately 40 direct jobs are projected within the first two years, expanding to 150 by year five and exceeding 250 by year eight, with at least 60% of these positions anticipated to be filled by local residents. This commitment to local employment underscores the initiative’s regional economic impact.
This venture builds upon the experience gained from Quantix Edge Security, a EUR 40 million semiconductor design and personalization center currently under development in Murcia, Spain, through a partnership between WISeKey, SEALSQ, and Spanish entities. The Spanish Government committed EUR 19.6 million to that initiative in June 2025, demonstrating a growing international trend toward bolstering domestic semiconductor capabilities.
The Jura Center intends to adapt the methodologies and lessons learned in Murcia to meet Switzerland’s unique industrial and sovereignty requirements. “The quantum era is transforming cybersecurity into an issue of technological sovereignty,” said Carlos Moreira, CEO of SEALSQ. “Switzerland must be able not only to design advanced security technologies, but also to personalize, provision and protect the cryptographic roots of trust inside semiconductors on Swiss soil.” The center also plans to explore opportunities within Swiss defense procurement and industrial participation programs, potentially offering a platform for industrial offset projects.
Secure semiconductors and ASICs are increasingly critical components in avionics, secure communications, and sensor systems, creating a potential avenue to strengthen Switzerland’s domestic technological and industrial base. The project’s success relies on a public-private partnership model, with funding primarily sourced from WISeKey, SEALSQ, private investors, and industrial partners. The Canton of Jura will act as a strategic catalyst, facilitating establishment and evaluating potential support within existing cantonal and federal frameworks.
Collaboration with HE-Arc Ingénierie is also planned for training, recruitment, and applied research, alongside partnerships with other Swiss technology and industrial organizations. “This partnership marks an important milestone for Jura and sends a strong signal about our ambition to attract and develop strategic investments,” added Stéphane Theurillat, Minister of Economy of the Canton of Jura.
“The project combines digital infrastructure with Jura’s strong industrial capabilities and will contribute to further diversifying our economy. It also represents a significant opportunity to strengthen digital sovereignty while creating value and new business opportunities within our regional ecosystem.” A joint working group will now develop a detailed business plan, site selection, financing structure, and regulatory roadmap, with the goal of establishing a Swiss company incorporated in the Canton of Jura to operate the center.
The quantum era is transforming cybersecurity into an issue of technological sovereignty. Switzerland must be able not only to design advanced security technologies, but also to personalize, provision and protect the cryptographic roots of trust inside semiconductors on Swiss soil.
Stéphane Theurillat, Minister of Economy of the Canton of Jura
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