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.
Why it matters
Most French quantum companies come out of public laboratories. The strength of this transfer chain, more than the headline funding, determines whether the money turns into machines and products.
Key takeaways
- The CNRS holds around 70 patent families in quantum, with about 60 patents filed since 2018, after more than fifty years of quantum research.
- Five French startups selected in the field build quantum computers: Alice & Bob, C12, Pasqal, Quandela and Quobly.
- PROQCIMA, run by the French armed forces ministry, targets two quantum computer prototypes with 128 logical qubits by 2032, for a potential budget of 500 million euros.
- QuantXium, a national pre-maturation and maturation scheme backed by France 2030, brings together 19 partners with a budget of 15 million euros over five years, led by CNRS Innovation and SATT AxLR.
- On 22 May 2026, the French state announced an additional one billion euros for the quantum sector.
In an article published on 25 June 2026, the CNRS sets out how quantum research reaches industry. The path runs from fundamental research to intellectual property, then pre-maturation, maturation and finally startup creation, often from laboratories jointly run with the CNRS.
The numbers give a sense of the base: more than fifty years of quantum research, around 70 patent families, and roughly 60 patents filed since 2018. Five French startups now build quantum computers: Alice & Bob, C12, Pasqal, Quandela and Quobly.
Several programmes structure the effort. The PEPR Quantique is steered by the CNRS, CEA and Inria. PROQCIMA, run by the armed forces ministry, aims for two prototypes with 128 logical qubits by 2032, for a potential 500 million euros. QuantXium, a France 2030 winner led by CNRS Innovation and SATT AxLR, gathers 19 partners with 15 million euros over five years to fund pre-maturation and maturation.
The article lands shortly after the state announced, on 22 May 2026, an extra one billion euros for the sector.
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