Five days. One hall. An entire community in motion.
Hannover Messe 2026 marked a defining moment for quantum technologies in Germany, and Quantum Valley Lower Saxony was at the centre of it.
The week brought together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and international delegations under one roof. We were honoured to welcome Falko Mohrs, Minister for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony, Grant Hendrik Tonne, Minister for Economic Affairs, Melanie Walter from the Lower Saxony State Chancellery, Angela Ittel, President of Technische Universität Braunschweig, Vice President Frank Härtig and Presidential Board Member Annette Röttger from PTB, as well as representatives from VDI TZ, and the international trade press. Conversations at this level reflect something real: quantum technologies are no longer a horizon topic.
Quantum Technology Pavilion
The QVLS Explore Quantum exhibition space was anchored by phaeno, whose exhibits formed the heart of the floor. Alongside them, our clusters4future QVLS-iLabs, the Cluster of Excellenc Quantum Frontiers, QIMP High-Tech Incubator, TU Braunschweig, Leibniz University Hannover and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt brought hands-on demonstrators to life. Visitors could also explore prototypes directly from QVLS startups CDO2, Agile Optic, QUDORA Technologies and QubeDot, and we were glad to welcome QVLS members Classiq and TÜV Nord for dedicated industry visits. SaxonQ, planqc, Classiq, Munich Quantum Valley and Quantum BW were also represented at the Quantum Technology Pavilion with their own booths.
Stage Programme
On stage, Naz Pourmalek spoke about how the QVLS ecosystem brings together industry, research and partners to create shared impact. The Masterclass with Larissa Braun from PTB, Stephan Hannig from Agile Optic and Christian Brandel from hannoverimpuls shed light on the journey from quantum research to industrial application. Nicolas Spethmann, Head of QTZ at PTB, addressed the growing importance of quantum security and encryption, one of the most pressing conversations in the field right now. On the stage of this year’s partner country Brazil, Larissa Braun presented QVLS and quantum technology, highlighting the opportunities for international collaboration. In a TV interview held on the sidelines of the fair, Naz Pourmalek and Nicolas Spethmann discussed the latest developments in quantum technology.
Targeted Networking for Women
A special highlight of the week was the QVLS-organised fair tour for the Quantum Future Women network of the BMFTR, in which representatives from VDI TZ also took part: talks and activities for women, by women in the quantum world. Formats like these remind us that building the quantum field means building it for everyone.
A Thank You to All Helpers
None of this would have been possible without the people who gave their time to stand at the booth and bring quantum technologies to life for hundreds of visitors. A heartfelt thank you to the quantum physicists who took precious time away from their research to be there with us: Sabine Möhlmann, Tim Meyer, Celeste Torkzaban, Franziska Greinert, Larissa Braun, Lena Bittermann, Jana Hartmann, Gayatri Sasidharan, Kai Bruns, Marlon Kuhn, Radhika Goyal, Erik Dunkel, Tobias Pootz, Lea Richtmann, Nica Schiffelholz, Christine Marachoris, Sam Ondracek, Kevin Rempel, Lars Krieger, David Stuhrmann, Najwa Al-Zaki, Florian Ungerechts, Markus Duwe, Axel Hoffmann and Yauheni. Scientific communication of this quality does not happen without people who genuinely care about sharing their work with the world.
To everyone who visited, presented, challenged, and connected: thank you. This is exactly what the QVLS ecosystem is built for.
See you next year. Hannover Messe, 5 to 9 April 2027.
