New Leadership, New Horizons: The House of Quantum Welcomes Joris van Laerhoven
From building esports giants and flexible workspaces to launching accelerators and early-stage ventures, Joris van Laerhoven brings a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit to the Dutch quantum ecosystem. As the newly appointed Director of the House of Quantum, Joris is set to lead one of the most ambitious innovation spaces in Europe, one designed to turn groundbreaking research into real-world impact.
We caught up with Joris to learn more about his journey, his plans for the House, and how he sees the future of quantum taking shape in the Netherlands.
You’ve just stepped into your role as Director of the House of Quantum. Can you tell us a bit about your journey so far?
My journey started early — I co-founded the esports team Fnatic at the age of 17. I quickly realized I wasn’t the best gamer, but being active in esports did spark my entrepreneurial spirit. About a decade later, I was running another startup. Being a founder can be lonely at times. I teamed up with a group of entrepreneurial friends to start one of the first hubs for startups and founders back in 2013. At the time, there was nothing quite like it. Startups and founders were a niche.
What motivated you to take on this new role — and why now?
I’ve always been energized by being close to innovation. At the same time, I’ve loved the operational side of things — especially managing and shaping physical spaces. I first got a taste of that while running my own business back in 2013, and later during my time at WeWork.
This role brings together everything I’m passionate about: tech, entrepreneurship, and operations. I’ve always gravitated toward emerging markets and technologies — from esports in the early 2000s to the Dutch startup wave in the 2010s. House of Quantum sits at the frontier of what’s next for Quantum, and that’s exactly where I want to be.
What’s your vision for the House of Quantum in the years ahead?
Quantum Delta NL’s mission is well underway, and we’ve already learned a lot from our first two House of Quantum locations. I deeply believe in the power of place — physical hubs can play a crucial role in the success of companies. I’ve seen this firsthand with my own tech hub, where the right environment accelerated startups’ growth.
You’ve worked in diverse fields — from hospitality to healthtech, esports to accelerators. How will that shape your approach here?
This role feels like a full-circle moment. Across all the industries I’ve worked in, the common thread has always been building environments where innovation and people can thrive. At House of Quantum, I get to bring that experience together: managing the day-to-day operations of a space filled with startups, while helping to build an emerging ecosystem.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities — and challenges — for the Dutch quantum ecosystem right now?
There’s real momentum in the Dutch quantum ecosystem — and we need to keep it going. We must educate the broader public, investors, and policymakers, and be ready when the spotlight turns to quantum. As a country, we can’t afford to miss this wave — like we arguably did with AI. Now is the time to lay the foundation.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities — and challenges — for the Dutch quantum ecosystem right now?
I’m excited to dive deeper into the world of quantum and learn from the incredible technology at the heart of it. But what excites me most is working with others — both locally and internationally — to help shape this ecosystem together. Being part of something this early-stage, with so much potential, is a rare opportunity. Let’s connect and work together in making this happen.
The next step for House of Quantum is to define how we scale this model: how we can tailor our support to the evolving needs of startups and scale-ups in quantum, and how we can create the right conditions, locally but also internationally.
As quantum technology rapidly moves from theory to application, leadership that bridges science, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure becomes more essential than ever. With Joris van Laerhoven at the helm, the House of Quantum is poised to become more than a building, a true engine for collaboration, innovation, and scale.
His entrepreneurial mindset, hands-on approach, and commitment to community-building mark an exciting new chapter for the House and for the Dutch quantum ecosystem at large.
Welcome, Joris — we’re glad to have you on board.
