Novo Holdings is investing DKK 1.4 billion (€188 million) to develop a quantum technology start-up ecosystem, focusing on life sciences applications. The company aims to establish Denmark as a global innovation hub for quantum technology, building on the country’s strong momentum in this field. Søren Møller, Managing Partner at Novo Holdings, highlighted the disruptive potential of quantum technology. The Quantum Investments team will focus on quantum computing, sensing, and algorithms, with applications in healthcare and life sciences. The investment mandate is global, allowing for potential investments beyond the Nordics.
Quantum Technology Investment in Denmark
Novo Holdings, a Danish investment company, has pledged DKK 1.4 billion (€188 million) to foster a quantum technology start-up ecosystem, with a particular focus on life sciences applications. Quantum technology, which includes quantum computers and quantum sensing, is based on quantum physics and has the potential to significantly impact various industries, especially life sciences. The sector is currently experiencing rapid development, particularly in the Nordic region.
Novo Holdings’ investment aims to establish a global innovation hub for quantum technology in Denmark. To achieve this, the company believes a robust seed and venture capital investment ecosystem is crucial. The ultimate goal is to create, grow, and develop strong quantum technology companies in the Nordic region.
Quantum Technology’s Potential Impact on Life Sciences
Quantum technology is a disruptive and transformative field that can revolutionize various sectors and address global challenges. The Quantum Investments team at Novo Holdings will focus on quantum computing, sensing, and algorithms, all of which have relevant applications within healthcare and significant applicability within the broader life sciences sector.
Denmark has been identified as a promising quantum technology hub, building on a strong momentum and a heritage dating back to Niels Bohr. However, the investment mandate is global, so although Denmark will be the centre of gravity, Novo Holdings will potentially also invest beyond the Nordics.
The Power of Partnerships in Quantum Technology
Establishing a quantum technology hub in Denmark aligns with several recent initiatives by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. These include the establishment of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP), which aims to establish one of the world’s first fully functional and generally applicable quantum computers, and The Quantum Foundry, a company fully owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which aims to develop quantum materials and quantum chips.
There is a substantial demand for investments in the quantum space to harvest the potential of the emerging quantum technologies. A strong quantum ecosystem based on knowledge, networks comprised by all relevant partners, and with sufficient capital is instrumental to guarantee the further development and commercialisation of quantum research.
Denmark’s Quantum Technology Ecosystem
Denmark’s track record of successful public-private partnerships is part of the rationale for choosing the country as the anchor point for a quantum technology hub. The Danish government has committed DKK 1.2 bn (€160 million) to quantum technology research. This, combined with the grants from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and other contributors, make Denmark’s per capita investments in quantum technology the highest in the world today.
Deep Tech Lab – Quantum, operated by BioInnovation Institute (BII), is likely to become another key partner. It is Denmark’s official NATO DIANA accelerator site. Together with the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark, Aarhus University, and the Danish National Metrology Institute, the purpose is to leverage Denmark’s world-leading research in quantum technology.
About Novo Holdings and the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that manages the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Novo Holdings is a world-leading life sciences investor and invests in life science companies at all stages of development.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation, established in Denmark in 1924, is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.
External Link: Click Here For More
