IQOQI
ÖAW institute with two sites: Vienna (quantum communication, entanglement) and Innsbruck (trapped-ion computing, simulation). Origin of zerothird, qtlabs, AQT.
iqoqi-vienna.at →Quantum Ecosystem · Austria 2026
A World-Class Quantum Ecosystem.
Right Here.
Austria is one of 18 OECD countries with a comprehensive national quantum strategy. Home to Nobel Prize-winning research (Zeilinger, 2022), Europe's leading trapped-ion quantum computer builder (AQT, Innsbruck), and Europe's first banking-sector eQKD pilot (Erste Group, 2026).
All of it built and running in Austria today — this page maps who does what, and how to connect.
By the Numbers
Austria in Context.
What's InsideFive Roles.
Five Roles.
One Ecosystem.
Austria's quantum ecosystem works as a connected network. Each player has a distinct role — research, commercialisation, adoption, infrastructure, and funding. Together, they enable what no single player could build alone.
Startups & Scaleups
University spin-offs that took Nobel-linked research to commercial products — from eQKD to trapped-ion quantum computers.
Jump toResearch Institutions
The labs, institutes, and clusters where the science is done — and where every Austrian quantum startup came from.
Jump toCorporate First Movers
Austrian companies with documented quantum activity today: production deployments, live pilots, and venture investments.
Jump toInfrastructure & Service Providers
Where corporates plug into quantum — Austrian physical hubs, a corporate exchange point, and international platform providers like IBM Quantum.
Jump toFunding & Programmes
National and EU entry points for corporates that want advisory, connections, or project funding for quantum initiatives.
Jump toStartups & Scaleups
From Lab to Market.
Every major Austrian quantum startup is a university spin-off, built on decades of world-class research. That direct link between lab and company is what makes the Austrian model work — and what gives corporates locally accessible expertise.
A curated selection of Austria's most commercially active quantum ventures across computing, communication, cryptography, and sensing. Additional Austrian quantum companies exist beyond this list — if you think someone is missing, please let us know.
Research InstitutionsWhere the Startups
Where the Startups
Come From.
Every major Austrian quantum startup traces its roots to one of these institutions. The research base is where the advantage comes from — the startups and the corporate applications are downstream effects.
quantA
Flagship quantum research cluster — 60+ groups across Innsbruck, Vienna, Linz, Klosterneuburg. €21M FWF funding (2023–2028), coordinated by Uni Innsbruck.
quantumscience.at →VCQ
Vienna's quantum research hub — connects Uni Wien, TU Wien, IQOQI Vienna, MedUni. Runs the Quantum Innovation Lab (spinout programme).
vcq.quantum.at →Universität Innsbruck
Home of Zoller, Blatt, Weihs — pioneers of trapped-ion computing and quantum optics. First Austrian university with quantum-HPC integration (AQT, 2024).
uibk.ac.at →ISTA
International research institute near Vienna. Three active quantum groups: Fink (chip-based), Hosten (atom interferometry), Baykusheva (ultrafast sensing).
ist.ac.at →AIT
Austria's largest applied RTO. Quantum focus: Quantum Communication / QKD — led OPENQKD (EU) and develops post-processing software for EAGLE-1 (first European QKD satellite).
ait.ac.at →Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)
Austria's applied Quantum Sensing centre. NV-center magnetometers, quantum gyroscopes, SiC-based sensors (QSense4Life, QSense4Power, GIRAFFE, SQORPION EU Defence Fund).
silicon-austria-labs.com →FH OÖ Hagenberg
Austria's applied-CS hub for quantum software and algorithms. Operates an Atos Quantum Learning Machine simulator, close collaboration with JKU Linz (Wille Group) on circuit design and quantum programming tools.
fh-ooe.at →Corporate First MoversAustrian Companies
Austrian Companies
Already Acting.
These organisations have documented quantum activity today — in production, in live pilots, or through direct venture investment.
Erste Group
Austria's largest bank runs a commercial eQKD pilot in production banking infrastructure (announced Feb 2026). Partners: zerothird (technology), A1 Telekom (network).
A1 Telekom Austria
Provides the fibre infrastructure for Austria's first commercial eQKD link — Erste Group pilot, and the planned Vienna–Frankfurt quantum-secure connection (QUAPITAL, 2026).
Infineon Technologies Austria
Austria's most research-focused industrial company (€721M R&D, FY2025). Manufactures trapped-ion QPUs in Villach for Oxford Ionics, Quantinuum, eleQtron, and AQT — industrial scaling partner of the global trapped-ion ecosystem.
VERBUND
Austria's largest energy operator. Lead investor in zerothird's Seed+ round via VERBUND X Ventures (Mar 2026) — Austria's first corporate venture investment into quantum security.
Infrastructure & Service ProvidersWhere Corporates
Where Corporates
Access Quantum.
Physical hubs in Austria, corporate meeting points, and international platform providers — the places where corporates plug into quantum without building their own lab.
Vienna · Opening 2033In Planning
Quantum Technology Center Vienna
Vienna's Bürgermeister Michael Ludwig announced the Quantum Technology Center Vienna in March 2026 — to be built in Neu Marx, directly adjacent to the Life Science Center Vienna. Planning phase initiated, partners currently being recruited.
- Location
- Litfaßstraße, 1030 Wien
- Size
- 15,600 m² · lab, office, cleanroom
- Focus
- Quantum communication, computing, sensing
- Includes
- High-performance quantum computer for shared use
- Developer
- Wirtschaftsagentur Wien
- Timeline
- Construction tender by summer 2027, completion 2033
Vienna · Corporate ExchangeActive
weXelerate — Corporate Quantum Hub
Austria's meeting point for established corporates on quantum topics. Through the Quantum Reality Check, C-level executives exchange peer-to-peer with experienced and first-time quantum adopters — with direct connections to Austrian startups, researchers, and FFG funding pathways. Focus: corporate learning, peer exchange, and startup-corporate collaboration.
wexelerate.com →International · Platform AccessGlobal Service
IBM Quantum
The largest enterprise-accessible quantum computing platform. Austrian corporates can run pilot projects on real IBM quantum hardware via the cloud — no hardware investment, no local infrastructure needed. The IBM Quantum Network includes 100+ enterprise members worldwide. A pragmatic entry point for first hands-on experiments.
ibm.com/quantum →InnsbruckActive Since Feb 2025
Quantum Hub Tirol
Launched February 2025 — a regional innovation hub connecting AQT, the University of Innsbruck, and industry partners around quantum computing and communication. Led by Onsight Ventures and AQT with initial €150,000 investment from Standortagentur Tirol. Based at the Innsbruck Technology Campus.
aqt.eu/quantum-hub-tirol-boost-quantum-technology →ViennaActive
VCQ Quantum Innovation Lab
Entrepreneurship bootcamp helping quantum researchers transition from academic work to startups. Run by the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ) with quantA and the University of Vienna Technology Transfer Office. Format: intensive bootcamp plus mentoring.
vcq.quantum.at/quantum-innovation-lab →Funding & ProgrammesHow to Fund Your
How to Fund Your
Quantum Project in Austria.
Entry Point for Corporates
FFG Quantum Services
FFG Quantum Services is the first point of contact for Austrian companies exploring quantum technology — whether you need funding guidance, connections to research partners, or an orientation within the ecosystem.
- Personal funding consultation
- Connections to Austrian quantum startups and research institutions
- Overview of national and EU funding opportunities
- Quantum ecosystem mapping and orientation
Contact: Henry Lembacher (FFG)
ffg.at/service/quantum-services →Quantum Reality Check
A structured programme by weXelerate + FFG — Webinars, Roundtables, a CEO Briefing, and the Quantum Ideation Day. Entry point for Austrian corporates, SMEs, and startups across all three quantum technologies.
More on the Programaws Quantum to Market
Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) supports the transfer of research results into market-ready products — especially relevant for startups and SMEs. Combinable with FFG funding.
aws.at →FWF Quantum Austria
Basic research funding at Austrian universities and non-university research institutions, administered by the FWF in partnership with FFG.
fwf.ac.at →EU Quantum Flagship
€1 billion EU programme (2018 – 2028) coordinating quantum research and supporting startups across member states.
qt.eu →QuantERA
Transnational R&D network with 25+ funding organisations from 20+ countries. FFG participates on behalf of Austria.
quantera.eu →Resources & ReferencesFurther Reading &
Further Reading &
Official Resources.
A curated collection of primary sources — official ecosystem overviews, funding programme pages, direct links to Austrian quantum organisations, and recent media coverage.
Think we're missing an important source? Please let us know.
Additional Research
Who Is Behind ThisThe Organisations Behind
The Organisations Behind
the Quantum Reality Check
The Quantum Reality Check is jointly organised by weXelerate and the FFG — combining corporate innovation expertise with Austria's national quantum ecosystem access and funding.
weXelerate
Austria's leading corporate innovation and startup acceleration hub, based in Vienna. weXelerate works where corporates and startups meet — enabling corporate-startup collaboration, new business models, and growth on both sides.
Within the Quantum Reality Check, weXelerate leads programme design and curates the peer formats that bring corporates, experts, and the Austrian quantum ecosystem together.
FFG — Austrian Research Promotion Agency
Austria's central agency for applied research, development, and innovation. The FFG supports companies of all sizes in accessing cutting-edge technologies — including quantum.
Within the Quantum Reality Check, the FFG contributes programme expertise, direct access to the Austrian quantum ecosystem via its Quantum Services initiative, and funding that keeps participation free of charge.
Next StepConnect With the Austrian
Connect With the Austrian
Quantum Ecosystem.
weXelerate and the FFG bring Austrian decision-makers together with the country's quantum ecosystem through the Quantum Reality Check. World-class research and startups are right on your doorstep — turn that advantage into a business edge.
You don't have to navigate the ecosystem alone.
Go Deeper