Niedersachsen’s location for the quantum technology industry opened State and federal government open QVLS high-tech incubator at Rolleiwerke in Braunschweig

Joint press release of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and Technische Universität Braunschweig

Niedersachsen’s new location for technology transfer in the field of quantum technologies was opened on 10 April 2024 in the former Rolleiwerke Braunschweig: the High-Tech Incubator Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS-HTI). On around 500 square metres of new office and laboratory space, 11 start-ups, excellent research institutions and, in future, established companies will come together for a continuous exchange of ideas. The QVLS-HTI combines funding from the federal government (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) and the state (Niedersachsen’s Ministry of Science and Culture and Ministry of Economics, Transport, Building and Digitalisation) as well as the scientific expertise of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Technische Universität Braunschweig and Leibniz Universität Hannover to provide a strong impetus for the region.

Thanks to initial funding for high-tech incubators in Niedersachsen totalling more than €4 million, 11 start-ups are already associated with the QVLS-HTI. The QVLS-HTI builds on a long industrial tradition in the former Rollei factories: Where world-famous cameras rolled off the production line almost 100 years ago, young talents such as the Braunschweig spin-off QUDORA are now working on the chip of the Niedersachsen quantum computer. To enable start-ups like QUDORA to demonstrate their technological maturity, the HTI has invested 1.5 million in technical equipment for the site. In addition to a DeepTech makerspace with 3D printers, the focus is on sensitive quantum-optical experiments.

Long-term location for technology transfer

Two major projects of the Niedersachsen alliance Quantum Valley Lower Saxony have contributed to the ongoing success of the QVLS high-tech incubator. Funding from the state and federal governments is being combined to realise the future potential of quantum technologies in a region with a strong research and business base:

A total of €25 million from zukunft.niedersachsen, the funding programme of the Niedersachsen Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation, will support the QVLS-Q1 project to realise a quantum computer for five years until 2025. From 2022 until the end of 2024, the Niedersachsen Ministry of Economics, Transport, Building and Digitalisation will provide the necessary funding for the QVLS-HTI. With €4.1 million, the state will support the establishment and further development of a total of 11 quantum technology start-ups that will bring the region’s scientific excellence to the market. From the outset, the incubator, which is due to open in 2022, has been designed to provide young deep-tech companies with shared premises. Integrated into the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony ecosystem, the focus is on ongoing technology transfer.

The state’s joint start-up funding for science and industry has now led to federal funding. From January 2025, the QVLS-HTI will be the new hub of the future cluster QVLS iLabs, which is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with around €15 million in the first phase. Science, industry and politics are working together in the future cluster to develop the enormous opportunities offered by quantum technologies in Niedersachsen. The high-tech incubator will then be opened up to other start-ups and companies that are pushing the boundaries of physics to meet the challenges of the future. While start-ups stand for innovative ideas and impulses, companies with larger capacities are often needed to scale up these ideas. The iLabs ensure long-term cooperation from key technology development to application and product development.

State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Prof. Sabine Döring: “Quantum technologies are key technologies of the future with enormous potential for our society and economy. Their possible applications range from the quantum computer-aided design of new active substances to eavesdropping-proof communication. In order to realise this potential and the great opportunities offered by this technology, the Federal Government, together with the scientific organisations, is making around three billion euros available. Quantum Valley Lower Saxony and the future cluster QVLS-iLabs play a key role in this. Together, we are building an innovation ecosystem for the future. Start-ups play a central role in this. In the newly opened high-tech incubator, they will receive the support they need to succeed in the international competition for innovation.

Niedersachsen’s Science Minister Falko Mohrs said: “The QVLS HighTech Incubator is a great success for Lower Saxony as a science location: the fact that the state’s start-up funding has led to this important support from the federal government shows the relevance of our research beyond Lower Saxony. The QVLS HighTech Incubator is an example of how basic research and start-ups in the field of quantum technologies go hand in hand, and how targeted cooperation offers great prospects for the transfer of new scientific fields to society and industry.

Niedersachsen’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Olaf Lies: “Our special programme has enabled the QVLS-HTI to actively support start-ups in the field of quantum technologies. The potential of our start-ups in Niedersachsen is immense. We are hopefully on the verge of groundbreaking developments in the fields of electrical engineering, laser technology and metrology. With the support of the federal and state governments and the outstanding support of the regional players, the QVLS-HTI will become very attractive far beyond the region and the state of Niedersachsen.

Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, President of Technische Universität Braunschweig: “The bundled competences in the QVLS high-tech incubator complement each other perfectly. After all, start-ups are an essential part of quantum technology. Together with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, we as a university are excellent in basic research in quantum technology. And in the future, we can join forces with strong industrial partners for application and commercialisation. The high-tech incubator offers excellent conditions for making decisive progress towards tapping the enormous potential of quantum technology. Here we have a first-class environment for transferring innovative ideas from our research into application and product development through spin-offs.”

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Denz, President of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB): “In recent years, quantum technologies have made their way from fundamental research to industrial applications: quantum computers, quantum sensors and quantum communication are promising products and systems for the world of tomorrow. Start-ups play a key role in bringing these important technologies to the market, but they also need a suitable environment. The players in the QVLS HighTech Incubator are working together to create this excellent, innovative and technically outstanding environment – making the quantum ecosystem in the Braunschweig-Hannover region a real high-tech beacon”.