SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Seoul City is deepening its ambitions to become a global hub for quantum technology, securing a $57 million investment from Quandela, a French company specializing in photonic quantum computing.
The deal, signed Wednesday at Seoul City Hall, marks the city’s second major quantum-related investment agreement in recent months, following a similar deal with Pasqal, also from France.
Founded in 2017 near Paris, Quandela has emerged as one of Europe’s leading quantum computing startups. The company develops photon-based quantum computers and currently employs about 150 researchers and engineers worldwide. It has delivered four quantum systems to the EuroHPC initiative, a major European Union program advancing high-performance computing.
Quandela’s Seoul branch will focus on research and development, helping the South Korean capital build its credentials in a field expected to transform industries from logistics to pharmaceuticals.
The signing ceremony was attended by Seoul Deputy Mayor Kim Tae-kyun, Quandela’s chief executive Niccolo Somaschi, French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux, and Kim Yoo-seok, head of Quandela Korea.
City officials said the investment aligns with the city’s broader plan to foster a quantum industry ecosystem in Seoul. The initiative includes establishing a joint R&D network, supporting companies specializing in quantum materials and components, and training a new generation of researchers.
Future projects include the creation of the Seoul Quantum Campus and a Quantum Technology Convergence Support Center in Hongneung by 2027, followed by the Seoul Quantum Hub in 2030. The city also plans to work with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to attract additional foreign investment and offer incentives for global tech firms.
“Seoul’s investment in Quandela is a strategic choice, given our city’s strengths in talent, infrastructure, and innovation,” Deputy Mayor Kim said in a statement. “We will continue to support global companies that invest in Seoul as we grow our quantum ecosystem.”
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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