Maaike van Velzen joins Quantum Delta NL: A vision for innovation and IP leadership
As Quantum Delta NL (QDNL) continues to drive innovation in the rapidly evolving quantum technology landscape, the organization has welcomed Maaike van Velzen to the QDNL IP Council. With a wealth of experience in innovation, intellectual property (IP), and regulatory matters across diverse industries, Maaike brings a unique perspective to her new role. A chemist by training, she is now focused on leveraging IP to foster collaboration and accelerate quantum innovation.
In this interview, Maaike shares her journey, insights on the opportunities and challenges in the quantum tech ecosystem, and her vision for QDNL’s impact on the global stage. She also offers a glimpse into how the QDNL IP Council is shaping the future of quantum innovation.
What brought you to Quantum Delta NL?
My career has consistently been at the interface of legal and technological domains, allowing me to bring a dual perspective to innovation. My background in innovation, intellectual property (IP), and, more recently, regulatory matters gave me a natural connection to QDNL’s mission. I’ve worked with Unilever and Philips, managing IP from a business perspective across sectors like consumer goods, electronics, and health tech, industries that quantum developments will undoubtedly impact. As a chemist interested in quantum chemistry and mechanics, I feel this role is a natural progression.
As a chemist by training, my fascination with the forefront of innovation and scientific breakthroughs has been a constant in my professional journey, making this opportunity to contribute to the truly innovative quantum tech ecosystem incredibly exciting!
What unique perspective do you think you bring to QDNL?
I see IP not just as a protective tool but as a powerful currency for exchanging knowledge and fostering collaboration across different sectors. In my view, IP is essential for unlocking value and enabling business growth, particularly when used strategically. I advocate for creating collaborative IP models that promote cooperation between stakeholders, expand the application spaces for quantum technologies, and shorten the innovation cycle. By emphasizing the importance of sharing and building on existing knowledge, I believe we can accelerate progress in quantum tech, ensuring that it reaches its full potential more quickly and effectively. This 'outside-in' perspective, I think, aligns well with QDNL’s mission to create a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem that drives both scientific and business advancements in quantum technology.
What were your initial impressions of QDNL?
The team is inspiring and motivated, supported by a robust scientific foundation embedded in industry and business. It’s well-connected and highly respected on the international stage, with an incredible pool of talented students and young scientists. All the ingredients are in place for QDNL to make a significant global impact, particularly through a focused approach in key areas.
I am very glad to see that Quantware and Qblox are among the winners in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50, confirming their innovative strength and growth potential!
What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges in the quantum tech ecosystem, particularly regarding intellectual property?
The real opportunity lies in combining quantum with other disruptive technologies like AI, material sciences, and climate research. However, quantum companies face a challenge: they need the right mix of expertise to make an impact. A multidisciplinary approach, including capabilities in IP, regulation, and business scaling, is essential. On the IP front, the focus should be on building strongholds in key areas of the value chain, creating accessible IP-sharing models to accelerate technology advancement and innovation cycles, and bundling portfolios across Europe while sharing best practices to streamline tech transfer and commercialization.
How does the IP Council contribute to QDNL’s mission?
The QDNL IP Council plays a key role in supporting the foundation's mission by identifying and highlighting strategic opportunities to strengthen these IP positions in the value chain, ensuring that the organization is well-positioned to protect and capitalize on its innovations. We also focus on stimulating knowledge sharing across the ecosystem, encouraging collaboration between researchers, businesses, and policymakers to create a dynamic, innovation-driven environment. A crucial part of our work is fostering connections with the broader European and international IP landscapes, ensuring that QDNL aligns with global best practices and standards. By doing so, we aim to streamline technology transfer and commercialization strategies, ensuring that the transition from research and development to market implementation is as efficient and impactful as possible. QDNL's new way of programming in phase 3 will allow also for this strategic IP approach. In phase 3 of the QDNL programme we intend to also engage more with the quantum startups as part of the IP landscape and control points.
Our goal is to create a robust IP framework that enables QDNL to lead the way in both scientific and business advancements in quantum technology.
What excites you most about working in quantum tech, and what impact do you hope to make in your role?
I'm thrilled to be part of a team so deeply committed to innovation. My mission is to ensure that IP arrangements bridge the gap between R&D and market impact while fostering collaboration across ecosystems. Raising awareness about quantum’s transformative potential and helping it make a tangible societal impact is what drives me.
Anyone in the community is warmly invited to join for a coffee if you'd like to have an in-depth conversation about IP in the quantum field with Maaike.
