Quantum Delta NL SME-call awards nearly 5 million euros to winners
Quantum Delta NL revealed the recipients of the second 'Quantum SME call'. The call, amounting to a total of 4.73 million euros, has been granted to six prominent and promising SME quantum companies: Amsterdam Scientific Instruments B.V., Quantamap B.V., VTEC Lasers & Sensors, Software for Chemistry & Materials BV, Leiden Cryogenics B.V., and ImpaQT UA. The objective of Quantum Delta NL is to leverage the substantial potential of Dutch quantum companies for the benefit of the Dutch economy and society.
An esteemed committee comprising scientists, investors, and entrepreneurs evaluated eighteen project proposals against several criteria, including alignment with Quantum Delta NL's agenda, technological potential, quality of the project plan, commercial viability, and economic and social impact. The winning companies will receive funding for innovation projects aimed at developing essential products and services in the quantum technology and its derivative products value chain. This annual call allows SMEs to submit individual or public-private consortium projects ranging from €500,000 to €2 million.
A Total of 35 Million Euros Available
The Netherlands has emerged as a global leader in quantum technology development, largely owing to the strength of its national ecosystem. While quantum companies hold significant value for future revenue models in the Netherlands and Europe, many deep-tech companies face challenges in securing capital. The Quantum Delta NL SME programme, which encompasses this call, strives to facilitate access to such funding.
The programme, a collaborative effort of Quantum Delta NL, Nano4Society, and MinacNed, aims to connect 125 high-tech Dutch SME companies to enhance the added value of SMEs in quantum technology. Over the next seven years, a total of 35 million euros will be available for this purpose. Companies are also required to contribute 17 million euros in cash or in-kind. Quantum Delta NL has previously launched a micro-fund to support early-stage quantum start-ups and Infinity, a program that fosters connections among Dutch quantum start-ups at all phases.
Through the National Growth Fund, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy is actively encouraging technological innovations in industries like quantum. The objective is to ensure a robust future economy for the Netherlands through digitization and sustainability.
Freeke commented, "Establishing a thriving business ecosystem is a fundamental driver of the Quantum Delta NL program. Our goal is to transform scientific knowledge from laboratories into new ventures in the Netherlands and Europe. The winners of this call will receive a significant boost in scaling their ideas into successful start-ups or scale-ups."
