Quantum Foundry Copenhagen and the Novo Nordisk Foundation announced plans to construct a 5,300-square-meter quantum chip fabrication facility in Copenhagen, Denmark. The project, backed by a DKK 2.9 billion total investment, aims to open by 2027 to supply Europe with advanced processors and bridge academic research with industrial manufacturing.
Europe has long boasted world-class research laboratories in quantum physics, yet turning those scientific achievements into commercial hardware has proved difficult. A new venture in Denmark is aiming to bridge that exact industrial gap. Backed by the continent’s wealthiest foundation, the project pivots away from building another experimental machine and focuses squarely on the foundational components underneath them all: the quantum materials.
Quantum Foundry Copenhagen Stakes €390M on Dedicated Cleanroom
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is directing substantial financial muscle toward the initiative, building upon its total commitment of over DKK 2.9 billion (EUR 390 million) to quantum technologies. The physical footprint will span 5,300 square meters in the Danish capital, housing specialized cleanroom space designed to handle everything from material synthesis to chip packaging.
Unlike traditional venture capital funding or state-directed grants, the initiative relies on private charitable backing from the organization behind Ozempic. The investment package is valued at approximately $62 million according to Bloomberg reporting, setting up an infrastructure scheduled to open its doors by 2027.
Tackling Europe’s Manufacturing Bottlenecks Through Ultra-High Vacuum Processing
The core challenge for quantum startups has long been access to fabrication tools. Smaller firms typically must develop their own cleanroom processes or negotiate limited time in university labs, rendering large-scale commercial production nearly impossible.
Quantum Foundry Copenhagen intends to solve this by operating as an open commercial platform. The merchant foundry model will provide contract wafer manufacturing, characterization, automated testing, and assembly services to external developers globally.
The facility relies on atomic-precision ultra-high vacuum growth techniques to synthesize high-purity materials, directly targeting the microscopic defect densities that trigger decoherence in physical qubits.
“Our vision is to become a world-leading quantum chip manufacturer, supplying Europe with advanced, next-generation quantum computing processors and enabling quantum companies to scale production. We aim to build state-of-the-art quantum production lines and support a sustainable deep-tech industry that can help shape the future of quantum technology.”
Peter Krogstrup, CEO, Quantum Foundry Copenhagen
Connecting the Niels Bohr Institute to Regional Sovereignty Goals
The new plant will work in tandem with existing academic efforts, including the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen. That specific research program maintains a stated target of building Denmark’s first fully functional fault-tolerant quantum computer before 2034.
Political leaders in Brussels and Copenhagen have framed the foundry as a critical component in safeguarding regional technology supply chains.
“Europe’s quantum ambitions depend on our ability to turn scientific excellence into industrial capability. Strengthening European capacity to develop and manufacture quantum chips is essential for our competitiveness, resilient supply chains and technological sovereignty.”
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
National officials view the timeline as an opportunity to cement domestic industrial dominance. Martin Lidegaard, Denmark’s Minister of Business and Competitiveness, noted that the initiative creates greater opportunities for Danish companies while establishing a foundation for broader European leadership.
What Lies Ahead for the 2027 Target
Whether the 2027 opening schedule holds will determine how quickly European quantum startups can transition from academic prototypes to commercial scalability without leaving the continent.
