The project will also highlight use cases of the technology in Nordic and Baltic businesses to illustrate the application and potential in solving societal challenges.
Together with project partner Finnish research institute and key actor in the Nordic quantum ecosystem VTT, winner of the public procurement, with this project Nordic Innovation aims to:
- Map the Nordic and Baltic ecosystem: Identify and analyze key players, initiatives, best practices, strategies and strongholds, weaknesses and opportunities within the quantum sector in the Nordics and Baltics.
- Assess maturity: Evaluate the current state and maturity levels of quantum research and development in Nordic and Baltic countries.
- Highlight opportunities: Pinpoint areas of potential collaboration, growth, and innovation that can drive the future of quantum technologies and produce recommendations for Nordic Innovation on further action in the field.
- Inform policy & investment: Equip policymakers and investors with a robust, data-driven picture of the Nordic quantum ecosystem, fostering informed decision-making and strategic planning.
This project is important because it will:
- Catalyze collaboration: Provide a shared platform that brings together academia, industry, and government stakeholders to advance quantum initiatives.
- Strengthen competitiveness: Enhance the Nordic region’s competitive edge by identifying strategic investments and partnerships that support quantum innovation.
- Drive economic growth: Lay the groundwork for sustainable economic development through breakthroughs in quantum computing, communications, and sensing.
- Support informed decision-making: Offer policymakers detailed insights that can shape supportive frameworks, funding strategies, and long-term technology roadmaps.
VTT will collect data on the quantum landscape through surveys, interviews and stakeholder workshops. They will in collaboration with Nordic Innovation produce a comprehensive report and visualization of the Nordic-Baltic ecosystem to be published in June.
About quantum technology
Quantum technology is on the brink of transforming industries, science, and society. For the Nordic region, with world-class research in the field and budding startup ecosystem in the domain, understanding and leveraging quantum advancements is crucial.
Quantum technology holds transformative potential to unlock groundbreaking opportunities in various fields. For instance, quantum computers could solve problems that are intractable for classical computers, such as complex simulations in drug discovery, materials science and optimization problems.
Additionally, quantum sensors could provide superior precision in measurements leading to advancements in numerous scientific fields and industries, such as navigation and medical imaging. Quantum technology can also play a key role in enhancing security and privacy through new forms of encryption and secure communication methods that could revolutionize secure communications of governments, corporations and individuals.
Nordics are home to cutting-edge research institutions and have a thriving ecosystem of startups and currently (end of 2024) approximately 60 businesses pushing the frontiers of quantum technology applications.
The Nordic collaboration is governed by vision 2030 which aims for the region to be the most integrated and sustainable in the world. Through this initiative, Nordic Innovation sets out to promote sustainable growth, innovation, global competitiveness and resilience of Nordic companies and society. Quantum technology is important for advancing national security, medical research, material science, energy storage, climate modeling and many more areas.
About this project
This project is funded under Nordic Innovation’s ‘AI & Data’ program 2021-2024 and will be connected to the new program under ‘Data, datasharing and digitalization’ 2025-2027 launched by the five Nordic Ministers of Trade and Industry.
This initiative is dedicated to mapping the Nordic quantum technology ecosystem and to highlight collective Nordic strengths, individual country contributions and potential synergies for Nordic further collaboration. This initiative is connected to and prompted by Nordic Innovation Quantum Collaboration (NICQ), a forum of 7 Nordic innovation organizations and public entities initiated by Nordic Innovation to explore avenues for collaboration in quantum technology in the Nordics.
These include Business Finland, VINNOVA, Innovation Norway as well as Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Tech Office and Innovation Centre Denmark), Danish Business Authorities and Danish Ministry for Higher Education and Research.
Nordic Innovation and VTT will during the assignment work closely with its sister organization NordForsk to ensure synergies and complementarity. NordForsk is an organisation under the Nordic Council of Ministers that provides funding for and facilitates Nordic cooperation on research and research infrastructure. NordForsk will undertake a mapping of the research collaborations and ecosystem within quantum technology in the Nordics. The mapping from NordForsk is tentatively planned to be ready in October 2025.
Get involved!
Are you a stakeholder in the Nordic quantum landscape? Whether you’re part of academia, industry, or government, your expertise and perspective are invaluable to the success of this project.
Contact us to learn how you can contribute to building the Nordic Quantum Ecosystem.
