Quantum Valley Lower Saxony

What Quantum Valley Lower Saxony does

Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS) e.V. is a non-profit association founded in 2020 that operates as the central coordinating body for quantum technology research, technology transfer, education, and ecosystem building in Lower Saxony, Germany. Headquartered at Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover, QVLS connects approximately 400 scientists across partner institutions including TU Braunschweig, Leibniz Universität Hannover, PTB (Germany's national metrology institute), the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, DLR-SI, and Fraunhofer, alongside industry members such as Q.ANT, Sartorius, QubeDot, NXP Semiconductors, and TÜV Nord Group. The association serves research institutions, industrial partners, government stakeholders, and quantum-technology startups, with the explicit purpose of translating quantum research into commercial and societal applications.

QVLS's core technical focus is trapped-ion quantum computing, with multiple quantum computer demonstrators being developed in parallel at Leibniz Universität Hannover's HITec facility and partner sites operating at cryogenic temperatures (4-5 Kelvin) using laser- and microwave-based qubit manipulation. Notable technical components include a cryogenic CMOS integrated qubit control chip developed at TU Braunschweig's Institute of CMOS Design that addresses scalability by reaching more qubits with fewer wires and less heat, and the OptoGaN porous gallium nitride process enabling 3D waveguides for miniaturized laser systems. The association runs four primary programs: QVLS-iLabs (future cluster for quantum transfer under Clusters4Future), QVLS-HTI (a 500 sqm HighTech Incubator at Rolleiwerke Braunschweig housing 11 startups), QVLS-Q1 (€25M quantum computer realization project), and the BRIGHT project under the Nitride Technology Centre, which extends into neuromorphic optical neural network research.

QVLS does not sell commercial products or services; its revenue model is built on multi-year public grants from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture, the Volkswagen Foundation, and the BMBF, supplemented by membership contributions. Cumulative identified public funding reaches approximately €65 million across 2022-2031. In November 2025, QVLS established QVLS Innovation GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to begin generating commercialization-related revenue through industry transfer. Distribution and go-to-market operate through membership enrollment, event-driven engagement (HANNOVER MESSE, World of Quantum, EQTC, Falling Walls), educational programs (Winter School, Quantum Future Academy, Masterclasses), and the HighTech Incubator, which together form the primary channels through which the association onboards research partners, industry members, and startup tenants.

Name

Quantum Valley Lower Saxony

Legal name

Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS) e. V.

Website

https://qvls.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS) e.V., founded in 2020, is a non-profit association coordinating quantum technology research, technology transfer, education, and startup incubation across approximately 400 scientists in Lower Saxony, Germany, funded primarily by state and federal public grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quantum Technology Research and Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum Standards, Testbeds & Open Research Infrastructure (HDAGAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quantum Cloud Infrastructure & QPU Hosting (HDAGAIAA), Quantum Community, Developer Relations & Ecosystem Programs (HDAGALAJ), Quantum Education & Certification Programs (HDAGALAA)

Keywords

• Quantum computing research
• Technology transfer services
• Research collaboration network
• Non-profit research association
• Quantum ecosystem development

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees and association contributions: QVLS e.V. operates as a non-profit association funded by member contributions, government grants from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture, and the Volkswagen Foundation.
2. Government funding and grants: Core funding from niedersächsisches Wissenschaftsministerium (Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture) and Volkswagenstiftung for research and transfer activities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS) is a non-profit association that operates as a regional quantum technology ecosystem connecting scientific research, industry partners, and government stakeholders in Lower Saxony, Germany. Its core offerings include coordinated quantum computing research (trapped-ion technology), technology transfer programs, a high-tech incubator for quantum startups, and educational initiatives such as the Winter School and Quantum Future Academy. The organization also drives funding programmes (QVLS-iLabs, QVLS-BRIQ, QVLS-Q1) and policy engagement to accelerate quantum technology commercialization.

Product overview

Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS) is a non-profit association (QVLS e.V.) established in 2020 that functions as a regional quantum technology ecosystem/network rather than a traditional product company. It connects scientific expertise, industry partners, and political stakeholders in Lower Saxony to advance quantum technologies through collaborative research, technology transfer, education, and startup support. Key organizational initiatives include the QVLS-iLabs future cluster (Clusters4Future programme), the QVLS HighTech Incubator (QVLS-HTI), the newly founded QVLS Innovation GmbH, the QTIndu quantum technology training programme for industry, the Quantum Future Academy, and QVLS Winter School. The organization does not offer commercial software products or platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QVLS-iLabs: Future cluster for quantum technology research and transfer, bringing together science and industry
• QVLS-HTI
• QVLS Innovation GmbH

Products and services

• QVLS-iLabs Future Cluster Clusters4Future programme funded with up to €15 million from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), bringing together science and industry partners for quantum technology transfer. Includes new speaker teams with tandems from science and industry to strengthen research-to-application linkage.
• QVLS HighTech Incubator (QVLS-HTI) High-tech incubator providing approximately 500 square meters of office and laboratory space at the historic Rolleiwerke in Braunschweig, housing 11 quantum technology start-ups including QUDORA Technologies, MKFS electronics, Agile Optics, Zeptocision, and Cavity technologies.
• QVLS Innovation GmbH Wholly-owned subsidiary entity established to support innovation and technology transfer in quantum technologies, marking a milestone in the evolution of the quantum initiative toward commercialization.
• QVLS Winter School Annual educational programme on quantum computing and quantum logic with trapped ions, including lectures, start-up and industry visits, and evening events. Held 23–27 February 2026.
• Quantum Future Academy Educational programme with capacity for 30 students per session, providing training in quantum technologies for the next generation of quantum workforce.
• QVLS-Q1 Quantum Computer Project Five-year project (2022–2025) for the realization of a quantum computer using trapped-ion technology, supported by €25 million from the zukunft.niedersachsen programme.
• QVLS-BRIQ Quantum Technology Research Next phase of quantum technology research funded with €5.5 million from the State of Lower Saxony and Volkswagen Foundation, extending through end of 2031.
• BRIGHT Project (Nitride Technology Centre) Lower Saxony microelectronics consortium led by TU Braunschweig developing neuromorphic computing based on LEDs and nitride technologies. Funded with €15 million from the state of Lower Saxony and Volkswagen Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11 quantum technology start-ups supported at QVLS-HTI incubator
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Technische Universität BraunschweigcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020TU Braunschweig is a founding member and key research partner, contributing expertise in quantum computing, semiconductor technology, and microelectronics through institutes including the Institute of Semiconductor Technology and Institute of CMOS Design.
• Leibniz Universität HannovercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLUH is a founding member providing expertise in quantum optics and quantum computing through the Institute of Quantum Optics. The university's HITec facility houses quantum computer demonstrators.
• Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTB, Germany's national metrology institute, provides expertise in quantum metrology and houses quantum computing research and the QTZ (Quantum Technology Competence Center).
• Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEI contributes to quantum technology research within the QVLS ecosystem, particularly in areas related to quantum sensing and metrology.
• DLR Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial SensingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLR-SI contributes expertise in satellite geodesy and inertial sensing technologies relevant to quantum sensor applications.
• Fraunhofer-GesellschaftsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer contributes applied research expertise to support technology transfer from quantum research to industrial applications.
• SartoriussupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLife science company contributing industry perspective and potential applications of quantum technologies in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.
• QubeDotsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuantum technology company participating in the QVLS ecosystem for industry collaboration and technology development.
• QVLS-iLabs (Future Cluster)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClusters4Future project bringing together science and industry partners for quantum technology transfer, funded with €15 million from federal government. New speaker teams with tandems from science and industry strengthen the link between research and application.
• Nitride Technology Centre (NTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLower Saxony microelectronics consortium led by TU Braunschweig developing neuromorphic computing based on LEDs and nitride technologies, with €15 million in state and Volkswagen Foundation funding.
• Cluster of Excellence QuantumFrontierscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint cluster of TU Braunschweig, LUH, and PTB pushing boundaries of quantum metrology, supported by two Alexander von Humboldt Professorships.
• European Quantum FlagshipsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-wide quantum technology initiative; QVLS co-organized EQTC 2023 bringing together European quantum ecosystem stakeholders.
• Q.ANT GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember specializing in quantum technologies and photonic solutions, developing cutting-edge quantum sensors and computing systems.
• TÜV Nord GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology service provider member; jointly researching tap-proof satellite communication with LUH's Institute of Photonics, receiving €100,000 annual grant for quantum-secure communication research.
• hannoverimpulssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint economic development agency of Hannover Region supporting technology transfer and helping quantum technologies reach companies in the region.
• Nord/LBsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional bank providing support for quantum algorithm applications research and identifying innovative trends in the quantum sector.
• powerBridge Computer Vertriebs GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew member company in the QVLS network supporting quantum technology ecosystem.
• QUDORA TechnologiessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep-tech spin-off of PTB and LUH developing quantum processors based on ion trap technology. Awarded €208.5 million DLR contract for 50-qubit quantum computer with NXP Semiconductors.
• Keio University (Tokyo, Japan)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman-Japanese research cooperation with TU Braunschweig on germanium quantum dots for quantum computers and collaboration on CMOS chip development.
• NXP SemiconductorssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner with QUDORA Technologies on the €208.5 million DLR Quantum Computing Initiative contract for 50-qubit ion-based quantum computer.
• ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORDsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with LUH's Institute of Photonics for quantum-secure satellite communication research.
• Skellig GamessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublisher for QUANTista quantum technology board game project, producing first 3,000 demonstrators for games fairs and cafés.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Quantum Exchange: US-based quantum technology exchange linking University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and industry partners. Comparable as a regional consortium building a quantum ecosystem for research and industry collaboration.
• Munich Quantum Valley: Germany's other flagship regional quantum hub, established in 2021 in Bavaria with similar triple-helix structure linking LMU, TU Munich, Max Planck, and industry. Highly comparable as a federally funded state-level quantum ecosystem with a focus on quantum computing and sensor technology.
• QuTech (Delft, Netherlands): Joint quantum research collaboration between TU Delft and TNO, founded 2014, operating one of Europe's leading quantum testbeds and the Quantum Inspire cloud platform. Highly comparable as a non-profit research consortium building quantum hardware and an open ecosystem.
• UK Quantum Hubs (NQTP / Quantum Technologies: UK's national network of four quantum technology hubs (NQTP) funded by UKRI, covering quantum computing, sensing, communications, and imaging. Comparable as a government-funded national quantum ecosystem linking universities and industry.
• Quantum Valley (Waterloo, Canada): The original 'Quantum Valley' initiative anchored by the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo and Perimeter Institute. Highly comparable as a regional quantum ecosystem combining research, talent, and industry commercialization.
• Center for Quantum Technologies (Singapore): National quantum research center at the National University of Singapore, hosting multidisciplinary quantum research and serving as a regional quantum ecosystem hub. Comparable as a non-profit quantum research consortium with government backing.
• QED-C (Quantum Economic Development Consortium): US-based industry-driven consortium managed by SRI International to grow the quantum industry ecosystem and workforce. Comparable as a non-profit consortium connecting quantum research, industry, and policy stakeholders.

Broad incumbents

• IBM Quantum: Largest commercial quantum computing platform using superconducting qubits, operating IBM Quantum Network with research institutions worldwide. Comparable as a large-scale quantum ecosystem builder and cloud access provider, but operating globally with vastly larger resources.
• IonQ: Public US quantum computing company using trapped-ion technology (originally from University of Maryland / Duke). Comparable on modality choice (ion-trap) and as a commercialization pathway for trapped-ion quantum research outputs.
• Quantinuum: Commercial trapped-ion quantum computing company spun out from Honeywell. Directly comparable on the underlying ion-trap technology QVLS develops, but operates as a scaled commercial platform rather than a research consortium.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrVTh5UjJyFMF_J2UW3h-jQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quantum-valley-lower-saxony

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Quantum Valley Lower Saxony