EIFO, the export and investment fund of Denmark, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation are investing €80 million in the establishment of a new Nordic quantum initiative, QuNorth, to advance the region’s technological development.
EIFO and the Novo Nordisk Foundation are investing €80 million to establish QuNorth, a new Nordic quantum initiative. QuNorth’s primary mission is to acquire and operate the world’s most powerful commercially available (gate-based) quantum computer to date. The computer will be named Magne and it will be one of the very first Level 2 quantum systems globally which is characterized by performing calculations using so-called logical qubits.
With Magne, Denmark and the Nordic region will gain unprecedented research and commercial potential, contributing to a global leadership position.
A Danish, Nordic and European Advantage
QuNorth will work proactively to support researchers and industry in leveraging Magne – among other things by developing new applications across areas such as material science and chemistry related product development, and by helping to attract talent and new quantum investments to the Nordic region.
QuNorth will collaborate closely with other stakeholders involved in the development and commercialization of quantum research in the Nordic region,
which is expected to also provide a European competitive advantage:
With this investment, Denmark and the Nordic region are shifting gears in the quantum race, which will benefit the EU in the long run. All in all, so we can harness the vast potential of quantum technology for both Danish and European business, society, and security.
– Morten Bødskov, Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs
At DQC we are also excited about this news as we see this as an important step in strengthening the Danish and Nordic quantum agenda:
As a unifying industry association with members from universities, startups, small and large companies, we are particularly pleased that Magne is intended for both researchers and the business community. We therefore see great potential for collaborating with QuNorth and supporting the common mission of making Denmark and the Nordic region a global hub for quantum technology.
– Professor Nikolaj Zinner Thomsen, Chairman of DQC
Microsoft and Atom Computing to deliver solution
Magne will be delivered by a partnership between Microsoft and Atom Computing – both partners in DQC and world-leading companies in the field of quantum technology strongly rooted in the Danish ecosystem.
Microsoft has thus already invested significantly in the Danish quantum ecosystem for almost a decade and are currently building and expanding its global quantum innovation center just north of Copenhagen. Microsoft will equip Magne with their specialized quantum software and applications powered by their specialized quantum software and applications powered by the recently unveiled Microsoft Discovery. Atom Computing has also invested in Denmark; last year they decided to establish their European headquarters in Copenhagen.
The solution provided by Microsoft and Atom Computing is the first of its kind to be announced for commercial deployment. It is a neutral atom quantum computer that supports 1,200+ physical qubits and up to 50 high-quality logical qubits.
It is furthermore a full-stack computer, where the software and error correction schemes, provided by Microsoft Azure, are fully integrated with the hardware. The error correction part of the stack is tailored to the neutral atom hardware, which is essential for generating the best, high-quality logical qubits.
Next steps
Construction of Magne will begin in autumn 2025 where QuNorth also will present its commercial and academic programs. Both Magne and QuNorth will be based in Copenhagen and it is expected to be ready for its first tasks by the new year 2026/2027.
Nordic users will be given priority to use Magne and researchers and innovators will be able to develop solutions across the stack with Microsoft and Atom Computing.
More information:
Read the full press release in Danish here
Read the full press release in English here
