The StMWK celebrated the centenary of the formulation of quantum mechanics with a full day of events. In the afternoon, the quantum community, including representatives from science, start-ups, and industry, gathered at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW) to gain a deep insight into the Bavarian quantum ecosystem. Various players in the ecosystem presented themselves in four-minute pitches, and a panel discussed the necessary framework conditions for innovative quantum technologies in Germany and Europe. Keynotes by Prof. Chris Monroe and Dr. Heike Riel complemented the program.
MQV had a special reason to celebrate, as it had taken the next step in the development of industry-relevant, powerful quantum computers with the formal founding of the MQV GmbH a few weeks ago. Making current and future quantum systems available and accessible is one of its stated goals. Even though Munich Quantum Valley may appear at first glance to be a local initiative, not least because of its name, it has gained global recognition and impact in recent years, said Julia Rucha, co-managing director of the MQV GmbH. The claim was to pool expertise, help companies and regions achieve success, and promote innovative start-ups with the aim of achieving technological sovereignty in Bavaria, Germany, and Europe. MQV also sees itself as a role model for other global initiatives, emphasized Claudia Felser, chairwoman of Munich Quantum Valley e.V.
Formal state reception at the Residenz
The Bavarian Quantum Day continued with a formal state reception at the Residenz attended by guests from politics, business, and society. Minister of State Markus Blume opened the evening event, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Bavarian quantum ecosystem and MQV as one of the Free State's key initiatives for the future. The Minister of Science honored the former Director General of MQV, Prof. Joachim Ullrich, with the “PRO MERITIS SCIENTIAE ET LITTERARUM” award: “As an architect of Bavaria's quantum success, he has made Munich Quantum Valley a globally visible quantum ecosystem. He shows that scientific precision and political will can go hand in hand – for the benefit of research, business, and society.”
School program at the Deutsches Museum
To ensure the long-term success of the Bavarian quantum ecosystem and the continued existence of excellent research and deep tech industry, promoting young talent is another important pillar of the MQV strategy. This was also reflected in the program of the Bavarian Quantum Day. In the morning and afternoon, alongside the scientific program at the BAdW, a school program took place at the Deutsches Museum. More than 120 students followed the invitation from MQV, MCQST, Heisenberg Society, and StMWK. They took the opportunity to gain a comprehensive insight into the field of quantum sciences and technologies – that went far beyond the topics covered in the curriculum – through lectures, guided tours of the “Light and Matter” exhibition, hands-on experiments, and direct exchanges with young scientists and start-up founders.