Photo (f.l.t.r.): State Secretary Döring, Angela Ittel, Minister Falko Mohrs, Cornelia Denz, Michael Kiesewetter (Nbank), Nicolas Spethmann. Back row: Piet Schmidt, Christian Ospelkaus. Photo Credits: PTB
Opening of the QVLS HighTech Incubator at the Rolleiwerke in Braunschweig
On 10 April 2024, Lower Saxony’s new location for technology transfer in quantum technologies was opened in the former Rolleiwerke Braunschweig: The HighTech Incubator of Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS-HTI). On an area of around 500 square metres of new office and laboratory space, 11 start-ups, excellent research institutions and, in future, established companies are coming together for a continuous exchange of ideas. The QVLS-HTI combines funding from the federal government (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) and the state (Lower Saxony’s Ministries of Science and Culture and Economic Affairs, Transport, Building and Digitalisation) as well as the scientific expertise of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, the Technische Universität Braunschweig and Leibniz Universität Hannover to provide a strong impetus for the region.
Thanks to initial funding for a high-tech incubator in Lower Saxony totalling over 4 million euros, 11 start-ups are already associated with the QVLS-HTI. The QVLS-HTI builds on a long industrial tradition in the former Rollei factories: Where world-famous cameras rolled off the production line almost 100 years ago, young talents such as the Braunschweig spin-off QUDORA are now working on the chip of the Lower Saxony quantum computer. To enable start-ups like QUDORA to demonstrate their technological maturity, the HTI has invested 1.5 million in technical equipment for the site. In addition to a DeepTech makerspace including 3D printers, the focus is on sensitive quantum optical experiments.
A team meeting at QVLS-HTI with employees from the start-ups Zeptocision, Cavity technologies and MKFS, as well as HTI Managing Director Magnus Zorn. Photo: PTB
Long-term location for technology transfer
Two major projects of the Lower Saxony Quantum Valley Lower Saxony Alliance are involved in the constant success of the QVLS HighTech Incubator. Funding from the state and federal governments is interlinked here in order to realise the future potential of quantum technologies in a region with a strong research and economic base:
A total of 25 million euros from zukunft.niedersachsen, the funding programme of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation, will support the QVLS-Q1 project for the realisation of a quantum computer for five years until 2025. Since 2022 and until the end of 2024, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Building and Digitalisation of Lower Saxony has provided the necessary funding for the QVLS-HTI. With 4.1 million euros, the state is supporting the founding and further development of a total of 11 quantum technology start-ups that are bringing the region’s scientific excellence to the market. Launched in 2022, the incubator was designed from the outset to provide young deep-tech companies with shared premises, which are now being opened in the Rolleiwerke. Integrated into the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony ecosystem, the focus here is on ongoing technology transfer.
The state’s joint start-up funding in the areas of science and industry has now resulted in federal funding. From January 2025, the QVLS-HTI will be the new hub for the future cluster QVLS iLabs, which is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with around 15 million euros in the first phase. Science, industry and politics are working together in the future cluster to develop the enormous opportunities offered by quantum technologies in Lower Saxony. The high-tech incubator will then open up to other start-ups and companies that are pushing the boundaries of physics to master the challenges of the future. While start-ups stand for innovative ideas and impulses, companies with larger capacities are often needed to scale these ideas. The iLabs ensure long-term collaboration from the development of key technologies to application and product development.
The startup Zeptocision discusses possibilities for frequency stabilization of lasers. Photo: PTB
Fabian Schwartau from MKFS is working on highly stable microwaves. These are needed as enabling technologies in the construction of quantum computers. Photo: PTB