ONE MUNICH strategy as the basis for quantum computers “Made in Bavaria”

Munich Quantum Valley is launched

TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann said: “Building on the outstanding expertise of our scientists, we have laid the foundations for a world-class scientific and technological quantum ecosystem in Munich. Our pioneering concepts were able to convince in competitive processes, resulting in TUM alone receiving more than 140 million euros in funding for this area.”

In addition to TUM, the founding partners of Munich Quantum Valley are Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), as well as the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the German Aerospace Center, the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft and the Max Planck Society.

In the presence of Bavaria’s Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder, the Bavarian Science Minister Bernd Sibler and the Director General of the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Dr. Sabine Jarothe, the presidents of the participating universities and scientific organizations signed the foundation charter in the rooms of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder says: “Quantum computing opens up a new world of research possibilities – this is the next generation of super computers. And with this, we are developing Bavaria into an international champion. The Munich Quantum Valley networks our best in the science scene; the best minds in the world should come to Bavaria to study and teach. With the Hightech Agenda Plus, we are investing a total of 3.5 billion euros to add 13,000 new students and 1,000 professors to the universities. After all, technology is the future”.

Under the umbrella of Munich Quantum Valley, about 200 scientists from universities, research institutes and companies are cooperating in eight research consortia that complement each other and cover the various areas of competence in building and operating quantum computers. Beacon projects are underway to include expertise from other regions in Bavaria and to broaden the scientific basis of the initiative.

Munich is integrating its lead in research into student teaching and professional training. TUM and LMU have already launched a Master’s program in “Quantum Science and Technology” for the joint “Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology” (MCQST) cluster of excellence. A globally unique further qualification program for specialists and managers from industry in the field of quantum technologies is being created within the framework of the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning (IL³).

A third pillar of Munich Quantum Valley is the rapid transfer into marketable products. The TUM Center for Quantum Engineering, which is funded by the federal and state governments, is already under construction. “The first start-ups in the field of quantum technology have also already been founded. And with the support of our TUM Quantum Venture Lab, we aim to develop entire families of start-ups in the field of quantum technologies,” said Hofmann.

Munich Quantum Valley is a success of the ONE MUNICH strategy, with which LMU and TUM want to pool their competencies into a critical mass together with their partners in cutting-edge fields for the future, as part of their excellence strategy.