Twelve CNRS quantum start-ups pitch to investors at the MEDEF Tech Evening
On 1 October 2026 in Paris, the fifth MEDEF Tech Evening is devoted to quantum, with the CNRS and Quantonation as partners.
The fifth MEDEF Tech Evening, on 1 October 2026 at the CNRS in Paris, is devoted to quantum technologies. Twelve start-ups born in CNRS laboratories present their work to investors, large companies and public bodies.
Why it matters
The list of start-ups is the useful part: it is a snapshot of what French public research is bringing to market in quantum computing, communication and security, all in one room.
Key takeaways
- Thursday 1 October 2026 from 5:30 pm, at the CNRS, 3 rue Michel-Ange, Paris; fifth edition of the MEDEF Tech Evenings after legaltech, edtech, medtech and greentech.
- Twelve quantum start-ups from CNRS laboratories pitch, among them Quobly, CryptoNext Security, Crystal Quantum Computing, Nellow, Qluster, Welinq, VeriQloud, Pioniq Technologies and Kwan-tek.
- Announced speakers include Patrick Martin (MEDEF), Olivier Tonneau (Quantonation), representatives of the CNRS, the General Secretariat for Investment and La French Tech.
- The themes put forward are computing, communication and cybersecurity, framed as priorities for French technological sovereignty.
The MEDEF Tech Evening devoted to quantum takes place on Thursday 1 October 2026 from 5:30 pm at the CNRS headquarters, 3 rue Michel-Ange in Paris. It is the fifth of a series that previously covered legaltech, edtech, medtech and greentech, and is organised with the CNRS and Quantonation.
The format is a pitch session: twelve start-ups founded on CNRS research present to investors, large companies and public actors. Those named by CNRS Innovation include Quobly, CryptoNext Security, Crystal Quantum Computing, Nellow, Qluster, Welinq, VeriQloud, the CQSD group, Pioniq Technologies and Kwan-tek. Announced speakers include Patrick Martin, president of MEDEF, Olivier Tonneau, partner at Quantonation, and representatives of the CNRS, of the General Secretariat for Investment and of La French Tech.
The evening was announced on LinkedIn by CNRS Innovation, which frames quantum computing, communication and cybersecurity as strategic priorities for French sovereignty.
Technology
Use case
Organization
Country / Region
Keep exploring
CNRS: how French quantum research is moving toward industry
Patents, pre-maturation and startups, as France adds one billion euros to its quantum strategy.
The CNRS describes the chain that carries quantum research from the laboratory to industry, from patents to startup creation. It holds around 70 patent families in quantum, and five French startups now build quantum computers.
CNRS·25 Jun 2026
France's quantum ecosystem is maturing, says Challenges
The magazine argues French quantum is moving from speculative research to industrial champions, with local investors scaling up.
According to Challenges, quantum computing in France is shifting from a speculative field to one producing industrial champions, with companies such as Pasqal, Quobly and Multiverse Computing, and a local investor, Quantonation, helping structure the ecosystem.
World Quantum Cannes Festival: two days on real quantum use cases
On 17 and 18 November 2026 in Cannes, a business-oriented programme where Airbus, AISIN, AstraZeneca, Generali or Citi present what they actually do with quantum.
The World Quantum Cannes Festival takes place on 17 and 18 November 2026 in Cannes. Its conference programme sets aside a full track for real-world applications, presented by the companies running them, and a morning on how large organisations adopt quantum computing.
World Quantum Cannes Festival·11 Sept 2026