How Julia Feddersen boosts Dutch quantum

Quantum technology is poised to impact various industries significantly, and the Netherlands plays a vital role in it. The European Commission sees quantum technology as one of the pillars of the digital infrastructure of the future, comparable to the impact of traditional computer technology over the past 50 years. The EU invests heavily in developing this technology to ensure Europe's strategic autonomy.

Quantum Delta NL is a national program accelerating the development of quantum technology, positioning the Netherlands as a European leader in this sector. During The State of Dutch Tech, which took place last week in The Hague, we spoke with Julia Feddersen, who has been senior advisor EU programs at Quantum Delta NL since 2022. We discussed her role, the recent award of the EuroHPC quantum computer to the Netherlands, and the challenges and opportunities within the Dutch quantum ecosystem.

You're originally from Germany and have a background in economics. How did you end up at Quantum Delta NL?

“After several years in the corporate sector, I switched to public funding, especially in EU programs. What struck me at the time is that the Netherlands has a coherent approach to national programs, compared to Germany, where activities are often more fragmented. That attracted me.

Quantum Delta NL sought someone to strengthen the EU program and tackle new topics. This allowed me to make an impact in a relatively young but ambitious sector and organization. My role involves connecting the Dutch quantum sector with European programs and funding and navigating the complex EU landscape.”

That seems to be going well. The Hague invested €615 million. There was €40 million of venture capital invested in the Dutch quantum ecosystem in 2024 - in 2023, that was €15 million. Still, the Netherlands lags behind other countries in terms of VC. How can we change that?

“I don't entirely agree that the Netherlands is lagging. We have already achieved a lot with our public program: 34 start-ups have emerged from quantum research, and the awarding of the EuroHPC quantum computer shows that we are strategically sound. But, indeed, the next step - scaling up companies and strengthening the strategic supply chain - is not always successful yet.

Quantum technology is still seen as a niche, and many investors are waiting for a breakthrough. We must connect science, industry, and investors and show possible concrete applications. Public funding remains necessary for disruptive ideas, but ultimately, companies must be able to operate independently without depending on subsidies. In addition, physical infrastructure is essential: we must ensure it is accessible to all players in the ecosystem. In the EU, companies can access funding through EU programs and venture capital. But quant companies and startups are growing rapidly, so large capital injections (more than €100 million) are needed shortly. Raising these kinds of investments in Europe is difficult.”

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What do you see as the biggest misconception surrounding quantum?

“It's important to see quantum technology not just as computing. Quantum internet and sensing are also key technologies that will greatly impact. We need to look not only at basic research but also at how these technologies can be applied in practice and how we can integrate them into existing industrial ecosystems.”

It was announced in October that one of the 8 EuroHPC Quantum Computers à €20 million will be built in Amsterdam. Why the Netherlands?

“Because the Netherlands fits perfectly with the EU's ambitions in this area. We want to be part of the European shared digital infrastructure for quantum technology and make the most of it. SURF, which manages supercomputer ‘Snellius’ in Amsterdam, is an ideal host for this new quantum computer. It is a logical step to link it to the existing high-performance computing (HPC) ecosystem and the Dutch quantum cluster. The Netherlands already plays a key role in the Digital Infrastructure, concentrated around Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Paris (FLAP).”

What are the most essential quantum technology developments for the Netherlands in the coming years?

“The Netherlands has built a unique position thanks to the National Growth Fund and the intense focus on valorization - turning knowledge into economic value. This gives us an edge over many other EU countries.

The Netherlands will likely play an increasing role in the valorization part of European programs, and we will continue to play a leading role in research and development. The biggest challenge will be maintaining momentum. We have invested a lot of public money now, but it is essential that companies and innovations can scale up. That means we need to invest in the application side of quantum technology - think software and application development - and in quantum technology manufacturing, such as chips. We are currently participating in developing the Chips Act to get initial funding for this next step, but much more is needed. As I mentioned, unlocking significant investments in quantum companies by venture capital (VCs) is essential.”

What are you most looking forward to when talking about the future of quantum technology?

“I am looking forward to the steps taken from Brussels. The new European Commission has quantum technology high on its agenda. The Netherlands is in an excellent position to play a leading role in this. Compared to other technologies, such as AI, the Netherlands is a global leader in quantum technology. To maintain this position, cooperation at the EU level is essential. We must secure our leading role and realize the economic impact.”

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