We’ve got 32% of the world’s quantum companies right here in Europe.
But only 6% of the patents? That doesn’t quite add up.
In a global perspective, China is dominating the IP race with 46% of global patents in quantum with only 5% of the quantum companies in the world. Followed by the US with 23% of the patents with 27% of the companies.
Company size reveals a sharp divide. Just 13% of quantum companies in Europe are large, compared to 82% in China and 29% in the US.
The EU may not lead in overall quantum patents, but when it comes to research, we’re not exactly lagging. We’re second in Quantum Computing and Quantum Key Distribution, and even hold first place in areas like Post-Quantum Cryptography, Cold Atom Interferometry, and Nitrogen Vacancy research. And in Rydberg atoms, we’re holding a respectable third spot. If we’re serious about turning quantum science into real-world impact, we need to protect what we research.
A recent report from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission provides a sharp warning about the EU's position in patent commercialization that should concern everyone in the quantum field.
The JRC emphasizes the urgent need to define a path to industrialization and to realize the economic potential of our scientific excellence by:
1. We should be more deliberate in how we protect what we invent. Because protecting what you build is step one in making sure it actually works in the real world.
2. Ideas are great, but they don’t scale on public funding alone. If we want to turn fragmented research into market-ready tech, we’ll need private investment and the IP to back it up.
3. Focusing on standardization. Global standards are still lacking, but they’re essential for technological maturity and international acceptance. Europe should take the lead in defining them.
Over €2 billion in quantum R&D funding in Europe this year alone.
But how much of that will turn into protected, valuable innovations?
If we don’t translate that investment into patents, someone else will.
And not necessarily within the EU.
Time to close the gap.