Choose France Summit with President Macron: IQM Quantum Computers Announces Plans to Build a Fabrication Facility in France

Insider Brief

• IQM Quantum Computers (IQM) announced its plans to build an industrial production unit for quantum computers and chips during the Choose France summit.
• The facility will have high-throughput production process for large-scale quantum processors, first-of-its-kind in Europe.
• This fabrication facility will complement IQM´s existing fab in Espoo, Finland.

PRESS RELEASE — IQM Quantum Computers (IQM), a global leader in building quantum computers, announces plans to build an industrial production unit for quantum computers and chips during the Choose France summit, an annual event attended by business leaders from around the world, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, and designed to promote France’s attractiveness internationally.  

Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire encourages the initiative and declares, “I’m delighted that IQM has chosen France as the location for its superconducting quantum processor fabrication facility, which testifies to French excellence in this field and is a first step towards the emergence of truly European quantum champions that France is calling for.”

The Secretary General for Investments, Bruno Bonnell, who leads France2030 investment plan, emphasizes the commitment of France 2030 to support industrial startups projects and declares, “With France 2030, we build next decade’s industry step-by-step. Quantum technologies will be among those key technologies that will shape the future of industry. The fact that a key player like IQM chooses France to set its future industrial facilities is the proof that we are investing in the right assets.”

“We are proud to accompany IQM in its project to build an industrial production unit for quantum computers and chips in France. This demonstrates the attractiveness of our country for foreign investments in the quantum computing sector and our commitment to supporting disruptive innovation. Business France will continue to work closely with companies to promote French excellence internationally,” stated Laurent Saint-Martin, General Manager of Business France.

This announcement is the first visible result of the dialogue IQM has initiated with French public authorities and the national quantum ecosystem, with the support of the Directorate General for Enterprises (DGE), the Secretariat General for Investment (SGPI) and Business France teams, since opening its French office two years ago. The Head of the French National Quantum Strategy at SGPI, Dr. Neil Abroug, highlighted the importance of the IQM’s investment for French quantum initiative and said, “Without, advanced fabrication facilities, European superconducting quantum startups cannot compete with their American counterparts. IQM’s agreement with its French industrial and academic partners will be beneficial not only for IQM but also for the French and the entire European quantum ecosystem.”

IQM’s vision to bring quantum computing to the next level by advancing this disruptive technology from the laboratory to the industrial scale to remain at the forefront of the innovation race for quantum advantage aligns with France’s quantum strategy and wider European initiatives like the EU Chips Act. 

“IQM is committed to building an industrial-grade fabrication facility in France. These efforts complement our research and development fabrication efforts in Finland in a very synergetic way. It is part of our strategy to establish a Quantum Airbus initiative where several countries and a strong industry player collaborate closely to create a globally leading quantum computing company.” said Dr. Jan Goetz, Co-CEO and Co-founder at IQM Quantum Computers. 

Goetz also emphasized “France’s unique position in Europe, with world-class industrial players, tech research and education, a vibrant quantum ecosystem, and a strong government commitment to supporting disruptive innovation.”

The first stage of this project will be enabled by the development of fabrication steps in pilot line mode within CEA-Leti in Grenoble. Julie Galland, Director of technological research at CEA, comments: “The CEA is fully committed to the national strategy for quantum sovereignty, and supports the entire ecosystem of start-ups and industrial players. The partnership with IQM testifies to the excellence and attractiveness of our region and extends our ambitions on a European scale.”

IQM has established itself as a European leader in quantum computing, leveraging talents from 45 nationalities and opening offices in five top European quantum countries, the US and APAC. 

In France, IQM has worked closely with industry players and customers in the aviation, space, and cybersecurity verticals using a unique approach that enables users to experience the best quality and accuracy of quantum processors.

In 2021, IQM opened its first fabrication facility close to its headquarters in Espoo, Finland.