The French government has just approved the takeover of QPerfect by the Canadian company BTQ Technologies (Nasdaq: BTQ). This marks another success for the Grand Est region’s quantum ecosystem and further demonstrates the region’s potential for innovation and research and development (R&D).
An acquisition that confirms the influence of quantum science in the Grand Est region
Founded in 2023 within the European Centre for Quantum Sciences (CESQ) in Strasbourg, QPerfect is an academic spin-off led by researchers from the University of Strasbourg and the CNRS – Guido Pupillo, Shannon Whitlock, Johannes Schachenmayer and Guido Masella – alongside Philippe Blot, who comes from the industrial sector. In three years, the 2023 Grand Prix i-Lab winner has gone from the laboratory to being acquired by an international company listed on the Nasdaq: a trajectory that clearly illustrates the Grand Est region’s ability to transform fundamental research into disruptive innovation and economic value.
This kind of journey – from academic research to entrepreneurship, right through to an international acquisition – is precisely what MaQuEst is committed to supporting within its regional ecosystem: researchers, deep-tech start-ups, manufacturers and investors united by a single goal – to make the Grand Est region a leading centre for quantum technology in France and Europe.
QPerfect’s R&D expertise: a strategic use case for quantum computing in France and Europe
QPerfect has established itself as a key player in quantum emulation, with three flagship technologies developed in Strasbourg:
- MIMIQ: a high-performance quantum emulator, a benchmark in the sector, which enables the design, testing and validation of quantum algorithms in a software environment prior to their deployment on physical hardware.
- Digital Twin: a digital twin solution enabling the simulation and optimisation of quantum architectures prior to their physical implementation.
- Quantum Logical Unit (QLU): a multi-layer control framework designed for large-scale, error-tolerant quantum systems.
By integrating these technological building blocks, BTQ aims to strengthen its ability to secure infrastructure and communications against the threats posed by quantum computers, notably through post-quantum cryptography. A strong signal: the Canadian acquirer has chosen to base part of its European R&D in Strasbourg, alongside the CESQ’s academic programmes, thereby recognising the density and quality of the regional research ecosystem.
The Grand Est: a strategic investment region for quantum innovation
This acquisition confirms the Grand Est’s position as a region possessing all the ingredients needed to foster the emergence of international leaders in quantum technology: cutting-edge academic research, business incubation schemes, public funding, and a base of deep-tech start-ups directly linked to global industrial needs.
For investors, industry players and talent looking to establish themselves in a rapidly developing innovation ecosystem, the Grand Est region offers:
- Direct access to academic research recognised at European level
- A pool of deep-tech start-ups supported from the development stage through to international commercialisation
- An active regional network, MaQuEst, which connects research, businesses and funders around high value-added projects in quantum R&D.
Join the Grand Est quantum ecosystem
QPerfect’s success is not an isolated case but reflects an accelerating momentum in quantum innovation across France and Europe, with the Grand Est region at the forefront. Do you have a research project or a start-up, or are you looking to invest in the regional quantum ecosystem?
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