Denmark Launches €80 Million Quantum Project Aiming for 50 Logical Qubits

Denmark, through its Export Investment Fund, is taking a significant step in the global race for quantum computing leadership. The country, backed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, is launching a new quantum project aimed at developing what they hope will become the world’s most powerful quantum computer. This ambitious goal is part of Denmark’s strategy to outpace all existing machines in power and performance.

Microsoft will provide the software for the Denmark project. The two funders announced on Thursday that they will commit €80 million (about $93 million) into a new venture called QuNorth. The hardware will be built by US-based Atom Computing. Construction begins this autumn, with the system expected to be ready to run by the end of next year.

While classical computers struggle with highly complex problems, especially in chemistry and medicine, quantum computers promise to make light work of them by handling mind-boggling numbers of calculations at once. The project is not a fantasy, as tech giants are already on board. The quantum computer will be named Magne, after the son of Thor in Norse mythology, a symbol of great strength. It’s a fitting name for a machine expected to handle calculations beyond the reach of today’s supercomputers.

Jason Zander, Microsoft’s executive VP, explained that the machine will initially run with 50 logical qubits. To the layperson, a qubit, or quantum bit, is the smallest unit of quantum information. But logical qubits are special; they are formed by grouping multiple physical qubits to achieve more stable and accurate processing. Last year, Microsoft and Atom Computing managed to build 24 logical qubits, the most ever achieved at the time. Zander said hitting the 50 mark is when true “quantum advantage” kicks in. That means solving problems that would be impossible or take an unrealistically long time on traditional computers.

According to Zander, 100 logical qubits would allow scientists to dive into real-world research problems. Once systems reach a few hundred logical qubits, they could help untangle chemical mysteries. And at the 1,000-qubit level, he believes quantum computers will become powerful enough to tackle almost anything, from advanced drug development to simulating new materials. The possibilities are vast. For example, in drug discovery, quantum computing might help find the perfect molecule combination to target complex diseases. In material science, it could revolutionize the creation of new lightweight but durable substances.

Denmark’s initiative reflects a broader push by countries and companies alike to lead in the next era of computing. While the US and China have made headlines in quantum progress, Denmark is signalling it will not be left behind. Hosting the most powerful quantum machine would boost its scientific standing and bring huge advantages to its economy and research institutions. At the same time, Zander emphasized that this isn’t just about brute power. It is also about applying that power responsibly, aiming for breakthroughs in health, sustainability, and innovation that could change lives for the better.

This is not the first time that the Danish government has collaborated with the Novo Nordisk Foundation. In 2024, the two parties combined efforts to build an Nvidia-powered AI supercomputer to help – among other things – pharmaceutical researchers develop novel drugs and align clinical trials. As Magne takes shape over the next year, the world will be watching. If successful, Denmark could become home to the machine that finally unlocks quantum’s long-promised potential.

Apart from Denmark, the initiative, whose announcement coincides with a meeting of EU competitiveness minister discussing critical technologies, will also give the whole of Europe an edge in quantum technology. Recently, the UK revealed plans to invest £500 million in quantum technology as the country believes this could reshape the economy and strengthen national security.