Why Finland is Europe’s quantum powerhouse

Imagine a maze so complex that even the world’s fastest supercomputer would take centuries to solve it. A quantum computer could crack it in minutes – not by brute force, but by exploring every possible path at once.

Now, apply that thinking to every industry. Welcome to the quantum era.

From superconducting chips cooled to near absolute zero to startups tackling algorithms and encryption, Finland is steadily building Europe’s strongest quantum ecosystem. With cutting-edge hardware, scalable software, robust infrastructure and forward-looking cybersecurity, the Nordic nation is not just competing in the global quantum race – it is helping lead it.

To do this, Finland is drawing on domestic expertise and looking to attract more international talent. To do this, the Finnish Quantum Flagship (FQF) In 2024 announced 13 million euros in funding to attract, train and retain global expertise.

As quantum computing progresses, Finland is taking early steps to protect its digital infrastructure. One such example is the VTT-led BLimPQC, developing encryption that can withstand quantum-powered threats.

“Only by moving to quantum-safe solutions can we ensure the safe use of digital services, also in the future,” said Visa Vallivaara, VTT’s research lead.

Back in 2022, we explored how Finnish companies and researchers were helping to make the quantum revolution a reality. In 2025, as UNESCO declares the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, it is clear that Finland has taken another quantum leap since we last took a closer look. Here’s why.

1. IQM puts Finland at the forefront of quantum hardware

IQM, based in Espoo, is Finland’s leading quantum hardware developer, specialising in superconducting quantum computers and full-stack systems. Since its founding, IQM has grown into a 300-strong team operating across nine countries and has secured more than 200 million euros in funding.

“There are many problems so complicated that classical computers will never be able to solve them,” noted Jan Goetz, IQM’s CEO. “This is where quantum computing comes into play. It promises to solve these problems.”

Building on this vision, IQM is expanding its global impact with new deployments in Finland, Japan, and Poland, aimed at advancing fault-tolerant quantum research and strengthening regional ecosystems. In Finland, VTT will receive two superconducting quantum computers: a 150-qubit system in 2026 and a 300-qubit system in 2027. The larger machine, powered by dual 150-qubit processors, will act as a testbed for quantum error correction and connect with Finland’s high-performance computing infrastructure.

In Japan, TOYO Corporation will distribute IQM’s superconducting quantum computers to universities, research institutions, and enterprises, and, in Poland, the IQM Spark quantum computer will be installed at Wrocław University of Science and Technology in the second quarter of 2025.

2. SemiQon is scaling quantum processors for global impact

A spin-off from VTT, SemiQon is developing silicon-based quantum processors designed for scalability, affordability and higher-temperature operation compared with traditional quantum hardware. The company recently secured 17.5 million euros in funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC), marking its transition from startup to scale-up.

The investment will accelerate the commercialisation of SemiQon’s cryogenic CMOS technology and open new opportunities beyond quantum computing – including secure satellite communications and space missions.

Founded in early 2023, SemiQon is also positioning itself as Europe’s first dedicated foundry for cryogenic semiconductors. Its silicon-based approach is designed to be more energy-efficient and sustainable than traditional superconducting technologies, lowering the cost barrier for widespread adoption.

“We are building the future of quantum technologies with silicon – a material that has already transformed the world once,” said CEO Himadri Majumdar. “This funding allows us to accelerate our journey and bring scalable quantum solutions to global markets.”

3. Algorithmiq is pushing quantum software to the next level

Algorithmiq’s description is as succinct as it is  develops quantum algorithms for complex life sciences challenges. Founded in 2020 by Italian-born CEO Sabrina Maniscalco, the firm gained attention with Aurora, a quantum-powered drug discovery platform created with IBM to accelerate medicine development.

“We have discovered a method to combine the outcome of quantum computers with the most powerful classical method in a way that is accurate, efficient and scalable,” said Maniscalco, with Aurora the only platform on the market at the time able to use existing quantum computers to solve problems that are relevant to drug discovery.

The good news continued for Algorithmiq, raising 13.7 million euros in 2023.

In 2025, Algorithmiq partnered with NVIDIA to integrate accelerated supercomputing into its quantum software, tackling quantum error mitigation across finance, healthcare, materials science and cryptography.

Maniscalco called the partnership a “game-changer,” while NVIDIA’s Elica Kyoseva highlighted the crucial role AI supercomputing will play in quantum computing’s future.

4. Bluefors is building the infrastructure for quantum innovation

Helsinki-headquartered Bluefors is a global leader in ultra-low temperature cryogenic systems, including dry dilution refrigerators essential for quantum computing and scientific research.

Bluefors’s systems are a vital enabler in quantum computing as cold temperatures are required to keep qubits stable.

The company is rapidly expanding its international footprint, with a spate of recent headlines in Japan, France, and, significantly, the USA

There, Bluefors expanded its Syracuse facility by 45 per cent, adding a 35 000-square-foot production and spare parts hub, while launching a Lab-as-a-Service model in Chicago that provides access to advanced cryogenic systems without the need for full ownership.

“As the market leader in their field of cooling solutions for quantum technology and low temperature physics research, [Bluefors] have achieved an undisputed role as the company who delivers transformational technology – making real-world, large-scale quantum computing accessible today,” said Kim Povlsen, incoming CEO of Bluefors.

5. Quanscient is bringing engineering simulation into the quantum era

Tampere-based Quanscient is transforming product development with a cloud-native simulation platform that integrates multiphysics solvers, advanced cloud computing and quantum algorithms.

In late 2024, the company secured 5.2 million euros in growth funding to accelerate its mission and expand internationally.

Quanscient’s platform delivers up to 100 times greater simulation capacity than legacy tools, enabling engineers to iterate faster and reduce time-to-market across industries such as fusion energy, semiconductors and biomedical devices. It also supports unlimited user access, improving collaboration for globally distributed teams.

“To stay competitive, companies developing transformative technologies need better tools to rapidly test scenarios, optimise designs, and speed up time-to-market,” said Quanscient CEO Juha Riippi.

The company also became the first in the world to run a Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation on real quantum hardware, with its first quantum product pilot expected in 2025.