What Leibniz Supercomputing Centre does

The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) is a European high-performance computing centre founded in 1962 and operated as an institute of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Garching bei München, Germany. LRZ delivers supercomputing, quantum computing, AI infrastructure, networking, and storage services to Munich's two anchor universities (TUM and LMU), other Bavarian scientific institutions, and — via EuroHPC — European researchers. Its technical portfolio centres on the SuperMUC-NG supercomputer, Europe's first EuroHPC quantum computer Euro-Q-Exa (54 superconducting qubits with an upgrade to 150 planned for end-2026), Q.ANT Gen 2 photonic AI co-processors in production, and the in-development Blue Lion supercomputer (NVIDIA Vera Rubin architecture, ~30x more compute than its predecessor, target 2027). The Munich Quantum Software Stack (MQSS) and sys-sage integration tool enable hybrid quantum-classical workflows, while the Münchner Wissenschaftsnetz (MWN), Compute Cloud, BayernShare, V2C visualisation centre, and Servicedesk portal round out a broad IT-services layer.

LRZ does not operate on a commercial SaaS model. It is funded primarily through public budget allocations from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space and the Bavarian State Ministry, supplemented by EuroHPC Joint Undertaking co-funding (e.g., €10m toward the €25m Euro-Q-Exa acquisition) and multi-year service agreements with academic institutions. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; service fees are negotiated institution-by-institution. Go-to-market is direct enterprise-style provisioning to a small named set of anchor customers (TUM, LMU, Max Planck IPP), with pan-European distribution handled through EuroHPC allocation mechanisms and the Munich Quantum Portal. Certification footprint (ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 20000, EMAS) underpins eligibility for sensitive research workloads, and membership in the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS) — alongside HLRS Stuttgart and JSC Jülich — anchors LRZ within Germany's national HPC strategy and Europe's exascale roadmap via JUPITER.

Name

Leibniz Supercomputing Centre

Legal name

Leibniz-Rechenzentrum der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften

Website

https://lrz.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) is a publicly funded HPC centre under the Bavarian Academy of Sciences, providing supercomputing, quantum computing, and AI infrastructure to Munich universities (TUM, LMU), Bavarian research institutions, and European researchers via EuroHPC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

High-Performance Computing Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Electronic Computers (3571), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid Quantum-Classical Orchestration & Workflow Management (HDAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

QCaaS Platforms & Developer Portals (HDAGAIAB), Quantum Job Scheduling, Queuing & Resource Management (HDAGAIAE), Managed Quantum Services & Enterprise Support (HDAGAIAI), Quantum Education, Workforce Development & Academic Centers (HDAGAMAM)

Keywords

• High-performance computing services
• Supercomputing infrastructure
• Quantum computing platforms
• Research computing services
• Scientific AI infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Garching Bei München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Federal and State): LRZ receives funding from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, the Bavarian State Ministry, and operates under the Bavarian Academy of Sciences as a publicly funded research institution.
2. Service Fees from Research Institutions: LRZ provides IT services to Munich universities (TUM, LMU) and other scientific institutions of the Free State of Bavaria, operating as their IT service provider. Fees are negotiated through service agreements with academic institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) provides high-performance computing (HPC), quantum computing, and AI infrastructure services to Munich universities and Bavarian research institutions. The centre operates flagship systems including the SuperMUC-NG supercomputer, the Euro-Q-Exa quantum computer (54 superconducting qubits), Q.ANT photonic co-processors, and is developing the Blue Lion next-generation supercomputer for delivery in 2027. Services are delivered via cloud portals, servicedesk support, and direct research partnerships.

Product overview

Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) operates a multi-layered HPC infrastructure portfolio centered on supercomputing, quantum computing, and AI capabilities. The flagship SuperMUC-NG supercomputer provides CPU-based HPC computing, supplemented by GPU-accelerated AI systems (Cerebras CS-2) and emerging photonic processors (Q.ANT Gen 2). Euro-Q-Exa delivers 54-qubit quantum computing integrated with SuperMUC-NG via the Munich Quantum Portal for hybrid workflows. Blue Lion (2027) will unify CPU, GPU, and quantum acceleration on NVIDIA Vera Rubin architecture. Supporting infrastructure includes the München Wissenschaftsnetz (MWN) regional network, Compute Cloud, Linux Cluster, and storage solutions (BayernShare). Services extend to virtual reality visualization (V2C), GitLab hosting, video conferencing, and comprehensive training programs. The Quantum Integration Centre coordinates quantum-HPC convergence while the Servicedesk provides operational support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SuperMUC-NG Flagship high-performance supercomputer system providing extreme computing power for scientific research, simulations, and AI workloads in Bavaria. Consists of multiple phases with CPU and GPU acceleration capabilities.
• Euro-Q-Exa Quantum Computer Europe's first EuroHPC quantum computer in Germany, featuring 54 superconducting qubits based on IQM's Radiance platform. Connected to SuperMUC-NG for hybrid quantum-classical workflows, with a planned 150-qubit upgrade.
• Q.ANT Gen 2 Photonic Processors Second-generation photonic AI co-processors using Thin-Film Lithium Niobate integrated circuits for optical-domain computation. Delivers 50x higher throughput for matrix multiplications and 6x lower energy consumption compared to first generation.
• Cerebras CS-2 AI System AI computing system from Cerebras Systems in partnership with HPE, first in Europe to leverage Wafer-Scale Engine 2 (WSE-2) with 850,000 computing cores for deep learning workloads including NLP, medical image analysis, and computational fluid dynamics research.
• Münchner Wissenschaftsnetz (MWN) Regional network infrastructure connecting Munich universities, colleges, and research institutions, providing high-speed internet connectivity and network services.
• Compute Cloud Cloud computing service providing virtualized compute resources for research institutions, enabling flexible scaling of computational workloads.
• Linux Cluster High-performance Linux computing cluster for scientific research, offering parallel computing capabilities and HPC programming support.
• BayernShare - Sync+Share Sync and share service for universities and research institutions in Bavaria, enabling secure file synchronization and collaboration.
• Quantum Integration Centre (QIC) Dedicated center for integrating quantum computers with supercomputing infrastructure, enabling researchers to incorporate quantum computing into everyday workflows.
• Centre for Virtual Reality and Visualisation (V2C) Virtual reality and visualization services that translate research outcomes into virtual environments, supporting immersive data exploration and scientific visualization.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30x more computing power with Blue Lion supercomputer
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• NVIDIAcoreTechnology or Integration · 22 June 2026LRZ confirmed deployment of NVIDIA Vera Rubin supercomputing platform as part of Blue Lion supercomputer development. Vera Rubin NVL4 delivers over 7 exaflops AI performance per rack. LRZ is among major research institutions adopting this architecture for next-generation systems.
• Q.ANTcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 March 2026Q.ANT deployed its second-generation photonic processors at LRZ for production HPC environments. Photonic co-processors deliver 50x higher matrix multiplication throughput and 6x lower energy consumption. This represents the first analog photonic co-processor in a live HPC environment. Q.ANT is a German startup spun out of Trumpf.
• IQM Quantum ComputersflagshipTechnology or Integration · 13 February 2026IQM deployed the Euro-Q-Exa quantum computer (54 qubits, Radiance platform) at LRZ, Germany's first EuroHPC quantum computer. System connects to SuperMUC-NG for hybrid quantum-classical workflows. Planned upgrade to 150-qubit system by end of 2026. IQM operates its quantum computers as Slurm nodes within HPC environments.
• Cerebras SystemscoreTechnology or Integration · 6 March 2022LRZ, Cerebras, and HPE developed a next-generation AI system using the Cerebras CS-2 system, the first in Europe to leverage this technology. Powered by the Wafer-Scale Engine 2 (WSE-2) with 850,000 computing cores. Funded by Free State of Bavaria through Hightech Agenda program.
• Munich Quantum ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRZ collaborates with Munich Quantum Valley initiative to integrate quantum processors with supercomputers. QIC (Quantum Integration Centre) established to combine quantum technology with supercomputing infrastructure. Munich Quantum Software Stack (MQSS) developed jointly with TU Munich.
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTUM is a primary university customer and research partner. LRZ Board member Hans-Joachim Bungartz is Professor at TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. Joint research on scientific computing, simulation, and machine learning.
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLMU is a primary university customer and research partner. LRZ is led by Dieter Kranzlmüller (Chair of LRZ Board) who holds IT professorship at LMU. Thomas Seidl is both LRZ Director and Professor at LMU. Joint work on databases, data mining, and AI.
• Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRZ is one of three German HPC centres in GCS, alongside HLRS Stuttgart and JSC Jülich. GCS coordinates German HPC strategy and operates JUPITER, Europe's first exascale supercomputer. All three centres participate in ISC High Performance events.
• EuroHPC Joint UndertakingflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuroHPC JU co-funded the €25m Euro-Q-Exa quantum computer (€10m contribution). Partnership enables European researchers to access sovereign quantum computing infrastructure. LRZ hosts first EuroHPC quantum computer in Germany.
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTUM and LRZ researchers developed sys-sage software tool enabling quantum computers to work with supercomputers through unified system architecture. Research part of Munich Quantum Valley initiative.
• Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRZ is an institute of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences, providing institutional governance and network access to world-class scientists. Founded in 1962 under BAdW umbrella.
• Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSC is partner in Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS) alongside LRZ and HLRS. JSC hosts JUPITER, Europe's first exascale supercomputer. Centres collaborate on EU-funded AI factories (HammerHAI and JAIF).
• High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHLRS is partner in Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS) alongside LRZ and JSC. HLRS hosts Future Computing Group workshops on emerging HPC paradigms. Centres collaborate on pan-European HPC initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• CINECA: CINECA is Italy's national HPC centre, operating Leonardo and similar Tier-0 systems for European researchers. Comparable in mission, customer base (academic/research), and quantum-HPC integration roadmap.
• CSCS Swiss National Supercomputing Centre: CSCS operates Switzerland's national HPC infrastructure (e.g., Alps supercomputer) and serves academic researchers with similar supercomputing and emerging quantum offerings. Comparable in mission and services but serves a different national constituency.
• Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC): BSC hosts Mare Nostrum, a major European supercomputer used by LRZ customer Max Planck IPP for fusion simulations. Direct functional peer in scientific HPC and a partner in pan-European HPC initiatives.
• Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre: Pawsey operates Australia's national HPC infrastructure for research, with a similar supercomputing-plus-emerging-quantum posture. Comparable mission and customer base but in a different geographic market.

Direct peers

• Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC): JSC is one of three German national HPC centres and a co-member of the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS) alongside LRZ. JSC operates JUPITER, Europe's first exascale supercomputer, making it the closest functional peer in scale, mission, and quantum-HPC integration ambitions.
• High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS): HLRS is the third GCS member alongside LRZ and JSC, providing national HPC services to German universities and industry. Direct peer in mission (national HPC provider), customer base (academic and industrial research), and technology portfolio (HPC plus emerging quantum/AI).
• Quantum Inspire (QuTech / TNO): Quantum Inspire is a European QCaaS platform hosted by QuTech/TNO providing remote access to superconducting and spin-qubit quantum processors. Comparable as a publicly funded European quantum cloud offering to academic users.
• IQM Quantum Computers: IQM is both an LRZ technology partner (supplying Euro-Q-Exa Radiance platform) and a peer in building and operating superconducting quantum systems. IQM provides QCaaS through its own channels as well as via LRZ's integration.

Broad incumbents

• IBM Quantum: IBM provides cloud-accessible quantum computing systems (similar QCaaS positioning to LRZ's Euro-Q-Exa via Munich Quantum Portal) but as part of a much broader commercial quantum hardware and software portfolio.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) / OLCF: ORNL operates Frontier, one of the world's leading exascale supercomputers, with a similar mission of providing leadership computing for open scientific research. Comparable in scale and HPC leadership but operates under a US Department of Energy mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xmastodon.social/@LRZ_DE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn4mK5IoYIk9pZZk2AxlDvw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leibniz-supercomputing-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/lrz_de

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Leibniz Supercomputing Centre