The quantum strategy is here - now action is needed

Sweden has recently launched a national strategy for quantum technology that sets the direction for the country’s continued development in this field.

A global race for competitiveness

The strategy is both welcome and necessary. Quantum technology has the potential to transform entire industries, from energy and telecommunications to defence, drug development, and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, an intense global race is underway, with countries making substantial investments to strengthen their technological competitiveness and security.

The strategy is characterised by an ambition to create enabling conditions for development rather than directing it in detail. This approach can stimulate initiative and collaboration, but it also raises the question of whether it will be sufficient in a field where many countries are making targeted investments guided by clear priorities.

From research excellence to industrial impact

A particularly positive aspect of the strategy is its emphasis on excellence clusters. By bringing together academia, research institutes, industry, and public sector actors, these clusters can strengthen the entire value chain and enhance Sweden’s international impact. However, transforming strong research into international competitiveness also requires the ability to scale up and industrialise new innovations. This is where RISE has a particularly important role to play as a bridge between research and industry, drawing on extensive experience in turning research results into scalable solutions that create value for businesses.

The Government highlights the importance of collaboration between universities, research institutes, companies, and public-sector organisations. If Sweden is to maintain its position, we must build stronger partnerships and develop the capabilities required for next-generation quantum solutions to be developed and manufactured in Sweden.

RISE aims to lead the work of translating scientific breakthroughs into competitive innovations and industrial applications, in close collaboration with universities and other actors across the ecosystem. Experiences from countries such as Finland, where the research institute VTT plays a central role in the quantum ecosystem, demonstrate the value of an organisation that complements academia by focusing on innovation, testing, demonstration, industrialisation, and scale-up.

Turning strategy into action

The next step is to translate the strategy into action through clear objectives and priorities. Unlike the strategies adopted in Denmark and Finland, the Swedish strategy contains few concrete commitments regarding funding and long-term investments beyond the excellence clusters.

Sweden has strong research, world-leading engineering expertise, and an innovation system that ranks among the best in the world. With a national strategy now in place, we also have a shared direction. RISE’s ambition is to lead, in close collaboration with universities, the journey from research excellence to innovation, industrialisation, and scale-up. Together, we can strengthen the Swedish quantum ecosystem and create the conditions for Sweden to take a leading position internationally.

Linda Johansson, Director of Quantum and Semiconductor Technology, RISE