Europe’s quantum heart beats in Lower Saxony this year Quantum Valley Lower Saxony set to host Europe's largest quantum conference in October 2023
Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS), a leading German quantum hub, will become home to the European Quantum Technologies Conference (EQTC) 2023, bringing leading minds from science, industry and politics to Hannover. From the 16th to the 20th of October 2023, up to 1000 guests are expected to attend the event, which QVLS is organising in cooperation with the Quantum Flagship, Europe’s ten-year innovation programme at the dawn of the second quantum revolution.
The EQTC in Hannover will be the beating heart of the European quantum world for a full week: The event will showcase all main scientific and technology pillars of the Quantum Flagship and the European ecosystem as well as global developments. Special attention will also be dedicated to the transfer of these research-intensive technologies to European industry and the presentation of the most promising start-ups. The programme is currently being drafted by the esteemed EQTC Programme Committee and will soon be available. The week-long conference will take place in the Hannover Convention Center as part of a long-term partnership between the QVLS and Deutsche Messe AG, host of the world’s largest industry expo.
Adding to the multi-faceted conference programme held at the futuristic Convention Center, guests will have the chance to explore the most innovative hot spots within Quantum Valley Lower Saxony. The Leibniz University of Hannover, the Technical University of Braunschweig and Germany’s National Metrology Institute (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt), the scientific backbone of the network, are opening their laboratories and numerous other partners are hosting site tours for visitors as well. A particular highlight will be the showcase of the region’s ion-trap quantum computers, built with the support of the State of Lower Saxony, the Volkswagen Foundation, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research as well as the European Union.
“A game-changer for Europe”
“The successful application to host the EQTC shows how strong the Alliance Braunschweig-Hannover is in the research and development of quantum technologies. Through the wide range in Quantum Valley Lower Saxony, from basic research and start-up funding to industrial application and further education, we are firmly anchoring quantum technology in the region. The EQTC is a great network meeting and another important building block” – says Professor Andreas Waag, spokesperson for TU Braunschweig of Quantum Valley Lower Saxony.
“Quantum technologies are a fairly new yet dynamically growing field. I am extremely pleased that Hanover can be the host when European science, industry, politics and education can meet again in person for the first time since the pandemic and present their results” – says Professor Christian Ospelkaus, Co-Chair of the EQTC Organizing Committee and co-speaker of QVLS. “Not only is basic research booming in quantum technologies but the first approaches and prototypes for applications are already being tested worldwide. This field is already of vast relevance to our everyday life – and this influence may exponentially grow in the future. Holding the EQTC in Hanover is therefore a great pleasure and honor for us.” – says Professor Michèle Heurs, Co-Chair of the EQTC Organizing Committee and head of the Quantum Control research group at Leibniz University Hannover.
“Quantum is a game-changer for Europe. The European Quantum Technologies Conference 2023 is the place to be for those seeking to drive progress on quantum technologies in research and industry. By bringing together leading researchers, industry innovators, and policymakers, the EQTC 2023 will provide a platform to showcase Europe’s expertise and leadership in the quantum field and promote collaboration to deliver life-changing benefits to citizens, such as the unbreakable transmission of sensitive data, extremely accurate medical scans and analysis of cancer therapies at the cellular level, and ultra-precise navigation systems for autonomous transport.” – said Dr. Gustav Kalbe, Acting Director for ‘Digital Excellence and Scientific Infrastructures’, Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Contents and Technology at the European Commission.
“The European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC) is proud to partner with EQTC and gather in Europe some of the world’s most promising developments and newest advances in quantum technology” – remarked Dr. Thierry Botter, Executive Director of QuIC, Europe’s leading industry alliance with the mission is to boost the European quantum-technology industry’s competitiveness and economic growth, and bolster value creation across the continent.
