Insider Brief:
- Anders Indset speaks with Jan Goetz, co-founder and co-CEO of IQM Quantum Computers, about scaling from research spin-off to Europe’s first quantum unicorn and the challenges of commercializing deep tech.
- Goetz explains why IQM pursues a full-stack, on-premise model built on superconducting qubits and how its co-design approach aligns hardware, error correction, and algorithms with real-world applications.
- The conversation underscores the tension between scientific ambition and market reality, highlighting the need to deliver tangible milestones while working toward million-qubit systems.
- Indset and Goetz assess Europe’s position in the global quantum race, noting that execution, funding, and branding will determine whether Europe can compete with larger U.S. and Asian ecosystems.
In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, host Anders Indset speaks with Jan Goetz, co-founder and co-CEO of IQM Quantum Computers, about what it takes to transform the latest in research into a commercial product. With IQM’s recent ascendence to unicorn status, the company speaks to Europe’s quantum ambitions, embodying both the promise and the challenges of scaling quantum systems.
Goetz outlines IQM’s decision to pursue a full-stack, on-premise model built on superconducting qubits, setting it apart from peers focused mainly on cloud access. By aligning hardware, error correction, and algorithms with real-world applications IQM has embedded a product-first mindset central to its growth. This co-design strategy ensures progress is measured not only in qubits but in practical outcomes.
The discussion highlights the tension between scientific ambition and commercial reality. Quantum hardware remains technically fragile, and the road to million-qubit systems requires balancing breakthroughs with investor expectations. Goetz emphasizes that credibility in deep tech rests on demonstrating value through tangible milestones, not solely theoretical promise.
Looking ahead, Indset and Goetz consider Europe’s role in the global quantum race. While the U.S. and Asia command larger ecosystems, Goetz argues that Europe can compete by capitalizing on its research strength, collaborative networks, and branding. Consistent execution and funding, he notes, will determine whether Europe emerges as a true contender.
This episode touches on:
- How IQM transitioned from research spin-off to unicorn
- Why a full-stack, on-premise approach provides commercial advantages
- The importance of co-design in aligning hardware, error correction, and applications
- Strategies for scaling quantum systems while managing investor expectations
- Europe’s strengths and challenges in the global quantum race
- Ethical and long-term questions about the role of quantum in society
Listen and Learn
You can access this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast on all major platforms:
- Listen on Spotify
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
- Listen on YouTube
New episodes of The Quantum Economy Podcast will be featured on The Quantum Insider. As quantum technologies evolve alongside other exponential fields, thoughtful engagement with the broader questions they raise on design, governance, value, and responsibility remains essential.
About the Host
Anders Indset is a Norwegian-born business thinker and investor known for bringing together philosophy and emerging technology. He is the author of The Quantum Economy, a book that examines how the logic of quantum computing, its uncertainty, entanglement, and probabilistic nature, can be applied to institutions and economies facing complexity and rapid change. His framework, Triangular Alchemy, proposes a new approach to organizational leadership in exponential times: balancing innovation (Forge), efficiency (Optimize), and investment (Scale) through anticipatory governance. His new book, The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, is available now.
The podcast draws on this background while integrating real-time insights from global practitioners. It is not a promotional platform, but a curated forum for meaningful dialogue around technological transformation and human responsibility.
