SQuA is a specialized organization for SMEs and startups interested in quantum technologies. Its objective is to accelerate industrial innovation, research, and technological development, covering all Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), and contributing to positioning Spain's quantum technology sector at the forefront of European and global innovation.
With this structure, the alliance aims to become the leading voice in the quantum technology sector in Spain before national and international institutions, entities, and organizations. Its creation is part of the European debate on how to accelerate the development of the quantum technology industry and gain scale relative to other markets, as outlined in the report " European Quantum Market Consolidation," prepared by QuIC, the European Quantum Industry Consortium, which warns of the risk of losing competitiveness if the EU does not consolidate and scale its quantum technology ecosystem.
Leading international reports also point to a significant economic opportunity. The McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor 2026 estimates that the global quantum technology market could reach between $60 billion and $100 billion by 2035, driven especially by applications in sectors such as energy, finance, healthcare, industry, defense, and logistics. Meanwhile, the State of the Global Quantum Industry 2026 report places the current global market at $1.9 billion, with annual growth rates exceeding 30%. In this context, SQuA aims to foster public-private collaboration, promote research development and talent creation, and help Spain play a key role in the future value chain of European quantum technologies, thereby strengthening the Union's sovereignty.
The association was officially launched during Q-Expo 2026, the leading international event on quantum technologies held in Bilbao from May 18-19, which brought together leading individuals, companies, and institutions in research and industrial applications worldwide. Designed as an open event for specialists, companies, and individuals interested in understanding the potential of quantum solutions, Q-Expo is establishing itself as one of the sector's main international forums.
“Quantum technologies represent one of the greatest technological and industrial transformations of the coming decades. Spain has the talent, companies, and scientific capabilities to play a significant role in this new global landscape. SQuA was created to structure, connect, and strengthen this ecosystem and to ensure that our country and the European Union do not miss a strategic opportunity for their competitiveness and technological sovereignty,” says Vanesa Díaz, President of SQuA and CEO of Luxquanta.
An innovative agenda for quantum computing in Spain
. SQuA's activities will be organized around the main verticals of quantum technologies, including quantum computing, quantum communications, metrology and sensors, and enabling technologies. To this end, the association plans to create specialized technical committees for each of these verticals, as well as working groups focused on use cases and market trends, research and technology transfer, education and talent, industrial roadmaps, funding for SMEs and startups, national and European coordination, society, defense, and security.
Based on this structure, the organization will develop scientific outreach activities, quantum literacy programs, R&D networks and calls for proposals, collaboration with public and private bodies, promotion of standards and certifications, and strategic alliances with national, European, and international entities. These lines of action are complemented by the identification of economically viable applications in strategic sectors, the analysis of trends with potential impact on Spanish industry, and support for the development of new products and services based on quantum technologies.
In research and technology transfer, SQuA plans to work on the generation and protection of intellectual property, the promotion of standards that facilitate market development and the interoperability of quantum technologies, and coordination with national, European, and international standardization bodies. In parallel, talent development will be another of its areas of focus, including the identification of training needs, the definition of profiles and competencies for the sector, and collaboration with universities and educational institutions to adapt training programs to the needs of the industry.
Founding entities of SquA – Spanish Quantum Alliance
Adigital, Ametic, BBVA, BluSpecs, Bull, CollabWith, CRUE, CTIC, EHU, Energesis, Entangle Tech Hub, Eye4Sky, Falcondale, Fidesol, Fraktalde, Fujitsu, Fundación Cibervoluntarios, GAIA, Global Data Quantum, GMV, Gradiant, ICFO, IDEADED, Indra, IQM, ITCAM, LKS Next, Luxquanta, Martram Ventures, Medalla Tech, Multiverse Computing, Oesía, Pons IP, QCentroid, Qilimanjaro, QSpain, Quantum Mads, Quanvia, Qubiz.Team, QURECA, Quside, Samira DTX, Santander, Scayle, SECPHO, Sener, Serikat, Tecnalia, Telefónica, UCLM, UPC, UPNA and UPO.
