planqc received the Made in Europe Award 2026 in the Commercialising category, recognizing its work to establish a sovereign European quantum computing industry. The company is currently building a 100-qubit neutral-atom quantum computer for the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and recently received the first hardware for a 1,000-qubit system destined for the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ).
“Europe doesn’t need to import the next era of computing,” says Alexander Glätzle, CEO and Co-Founder of planqc, and the award demonstrates a European path in quantum technology is already underway. planqc is also partnering with Airbus, ESA, BMW and Fraunhofer to develop applications for these emerging systems.
planqc Wins “Commercialising” Award for European Quantum Industry
The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) received the first components of a 1,000-qubit quantum computer earlier this month, signaling rapid advancement in planqc’s hardware development. This system, designed to function as a co-processor within existing high-performance computing infrastructure, demonstrates a move beyond theoretical designs toward scalable quantum solutions. Beyond hardware, planqc is actively forging partnerships to define practical applications for its quantum computers, the company says.
Collaborations with Airbus, the European Space Agency (ESA), and BMW institutes are focused on developing quantum algorithms and software tailored to specific industry needs. This emphasis on application development is critical because it bridges the gap between quantum capability and real-world impact, ensuring the technology addresses tangible problems in aerospace, automotive engineering and beyond.
The company’s strategy prioritizes commercial viability alongside fundamental research. “We turn fundamental research into quantum computers and put them to use for European industry and science.” planqc’s supply chain also remains firmly rooted in Europe, using components from specialized manufacturers in laser, photonics and vacuum technology. This localized production is a deliberate strategy to ensure supply chain resilience and maintain European control over a critical technology. From a 2022 spin-off to an award-winning commercial entity, planqc’s trajectory highlights the potential for European innovation in the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing.
Europe doesn’t need to import the next era of computing. We turn fundamental research into quantum computers and put them to use for European industry and science.
Source: https://planqc.eu/news/made-in-europe-award-2026-planqc-wins-in-the-commercialising-category
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