Amsterdam has built a solid position in quantum software: algorithms, simulation and sensing align naturally with the city’s strengths in AI, fintech and data science. But Amsterdam’s role no longer stops at software. The region is rapidly expanding its experimental hardware capacity, conducting research on ultracold atoms, optical clocks and advanced quantum sensing.

This growth increasingly connects the city to major European programmes such as the EU Quantum Flagship and the GÉANT Time & Frequency Network. Together with the work of Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and various industry partners, this forms an ecosystem that covers the full stack: from fundamental physics and hardware platforms to software and applications.

Investment climate attracts startups and scale-ups

Since 2019, total private investment in the Dutch quantum sector has grown from €10 million to more than €160 million. The number of startups has risen to 29 in five years, together accounting for 735 jobs, and patent applications have increased from 11 to 60. This growth reflects both confidence and urgency: worldwide, quantum is seen as a critical technology for the coming decades.

For startups and scale-ups in Amsterdam, this momentum brings:

· Greater access to investment capital

· More opportunities for collaboration through networks such as Quantum Delta NL

· A stronger international position as a location for quantum software and, increasingly, hardware

· Strategic relevance across high-tech and deep-tech sectors

The rise of quantum computers, communication networks and sensors touches a wide range of domains in which companies at Amsterdam Science Park are active — from optics and nanotechnology to AI and simulation software. For engineers, R&D teams and data scientists, this development offers the opportunity to stay future-proof and innovate along with the field.