Spain's quantum ecosystem is in full swing. While global tech giants compete for quantum hardware, an unexpected player emerges as a key piece: small and medium-sized tech companies. So says José Pancorbo, president of CONETIC, who points out that these companies “could position themselves in the short term as critical suppliers of cutting-edge solutions for large traditional industry.”

CONETIC, which brings together 15 regional associations with over 1,500 companies and 77,000 professionals, represents an aggregate turnover exceeding 11 billion euros. Its vision places SMEs as the agile and flexible engine needed by the emerging quantum ecosystem.

The Quantum Technologies Strategy 2025-2030: Progress and Challenges

In April, it was one year since the launch of the Quantum Technologies Strategy 2025-2030. Pancorbo positively assesses the progress: “New companies with a focus on quantum are being created, and consortia oriented toward technological demonstrators applied to different industrial verticals are being fostered.” The strategy mobilizes the business fabric toward creating a Spanish quantum market and consolidating the ecosystem.

From CONETIC, no obvious shortcomings are detected, although they acknowledge the atomization of industrial applications as typical of an early pilot phase. “Dissemination and training of people are fundamental to expanding specialized resources, which are still scarce,” adds Pancorbo.

APP-TC: The Public-Private Alliance Accelerating Quantum Advantage

CONETIC participates in the APP-TC project, coordinated by GAIA, with a budget of 4.6 million euros co-financed by Red.es and Next Generation EU funds. The goal is to materialize theory into the productive base through 36 practical applications of quantum software and algorithms in sectors such as logistics, finance, energy, and biomedicine.

“Public-private collaboration is proving to be highly operationally effective,” says Pancorbo. Institutional funding reduces the high initial technological risk, while the private sector contributes market knowledge and real testing infrastructures. This gear accelerates the maturity of industrial quantum software.

CONETIC's Role as a “Technological Translator”

CONETIC acts as a backbone of the ecosystem, connecting technological supply and demand. “Our role is to translate scientific knowledge into scalable business solutions, reducing uncertainty at early technology readiness levels,” explains Pancorbo. The confederation facilitates the transfer of intellectual property and access to support programs.

This work is crucial for tech SMEs to assimilate the advantages of quantum and become critical suppliers. As mentioned in our article on secure VPN configuration, quantum cybersecurity will be a key area where SMEs can specialize.

Spanish Quantum Alliance: Strategic Complementarity

The recent creation of the Spanish Quantum Alliance (SQuA) is seen by CONETIC as “excellent news.” The new association will structure and boost the national quantum sector. CONETIC will maintain a relationship of strategic complementarity, as its mission is more transversal and integrative of the entire ICT sector.

“We expect significant cooperation, both within the framework of APP-TC and in other future projects,” says Pancorbo.

Spain in the Global Race: Opportunities and Threats

Spain starts with an advantage thanks to its excellent quantum physics research ecosystem. However, the global race is fierce. Consultants estimate that the global quantum market will exceed 171 billion euros by 2040. “If we manage to lead the early development of software and advanced algorithms for European industry, we will significantly increase our technological autonomy,” says Pancorbo.

Projects like APP-TC and investment in reference quantum computers place Spain on the global map. But the risk of a shortage of qualified talent is real, as in other technological fields. The implementation of generative AI also faces similar training challenges.

First Real Applications and Impacted Sectors

The first commercial applications focus on system hybridization: optimization computing and algorithms, encrypted communications, and advanced sensing. Sectors such as logistics (route optimization), energy (distribution networks), finance (risk analysis), and biomedicine (drug design) are already experiencing real use cases.

Interest is also growing in secure corporate networks based on quantum nodes, a cross-cutting activity that will be a priority for safeguarding digital assets. In this context, ethical hacking and penetration testing become essential to anticipate vulnerabilities.

Post-Quantum Cryptography: The Risk of Q-Day

Pancorbo warns about the risk of not adapting current cryptography before the arrival of quantum computers. “Q-Day represents the moment when a quantum computer can break current RSA systems. It is a real risk that we should not underestimate,” he warns.

Projects like APP-TC are already developing secure communication demonstrators based on quantum technologies. Proactive migration toward quantum and hybrid security standards is key to protecting intellectual property and critical infrastructures.

Europe vs. the US and China: Can It Lead?

Europe has a solid scientific base and programs like Quantum Flagship, EuroHPC JU, or EuroQCI. However, the gap with the United States and China lies in the speed of commercialization and private capital traction. “We risk repeating mistakes in advanced chips, cloud, or critical hardware,” says Pancorbo.

A firm commitment to proprietary quantum development would be key to ensuring European strategic technological autonomy. Alliances like APP-TC show that if Europe coordinates its industrial capabilities and fosters a single quantum market, it has leadership options.

Risks Slowing the Quantum Economy

The main risk factor is the shortage of qualified talent, creating an industrial bottleneck. “We need quantum software engineers and advanced algorithm experts,” says Pancorbo. Another risk is the delay in end-user adoption if the business fabric perceives quantum as abstract.

Discontinuity in public funding or overly restrictive regulation could slow developments. CONETIC remains active on all these fronts to prevent problems and contribute to developing Spain's potential in this area.

For companies looking to optimize their processes, tools like the CRM core and reports can integrate quantum capabilities in the near future.

Original source: ComputerWorld. Analysis and adaptation by ForgeNEX.