Thought Leadership
Quantum computing is becoming an economic engine. Cloud solutions, mega deals and a race between Europe, the United States and China are setting new benchmarks, opening opportunities for industry giants and newcomers alike.
Quantum computing is leaving the realm of pure research and establishing itself as a tangible economic force. According to a new report by management consultancy McKinsey & Company, 2026 marks a watershed moment in the technology’s development.
Global investments in quantum technology start-ups have more than tenfolded within a single year, reaching a record volume of $12.6 billion in 2025. At the same time, global revenues of quantum computing companies have crossed the one billion dollar threshold for the first time.
What is a quantum computer?
A quantum computer is a new kind of machine built on entirely different rules than conventional computers. Instead of using bits that are either 0 or 1, quantum computers rely on so-called qubits. Unlike classical bits, qubits can represent 0 and 1 simultaneously, a phenomenon known as superposition.
In addition, qubits can be linked to one another regardless of the physical distance between them, a property called entanglement. This unique connection makes quantum computers exceptionally fast at certain tasks, such as pattern recognition or simulating complex systems. As a result, quantum machines can solve some problems dramatically faster than traditional computers, particularly in fields like cryptography, materials research and artificial intelligence.
A strategic issue at the boardroom level
The Quantum Technology Monitor 2026 shows that the topic has now firmly arrived in the executive suites of the global economy.
“2026 is the year in which quantum computing transforms from a technological promise into a strategic management question,” said Henning Soller, Partner at McKinsey. According to him, the conversation is no longer primarily about technical feasibility. It is about which companies are building the skills and partnerships now to secure genuine competitive advantages.
Capital markets take the wheel
McKinsey’s researchers observe a fundamental shift in where the money is coming from. Long dependent on government funding, the sector is now being driven by private investors and the capital markets.
Whereas roughly one third of investments still came from public sources in 2024, that share shrank to just 3 percent in 2025. Nearly half of private investments (44 percent) came through the capital markets last year, for instance via initial public offerings.
A geopolitical race: Europe applies, the US funds, China patents
The report also highlights the geopolitical dimension of the technology:
- United States: Dominates startup financing, major transactions and the headquartering of market leaders. 64 percent of investments flow into US startups.
- Europe: Leads in the actual adoption of quantum technology by enterprises and industrial users.
- Asia, especially China: Catching up rapidly behind the scenes. China is the global leader in quantum computing research publications and patent filings, a clear signal of strong, state directed efforts to secure intellectual property.
A closing window for Europe
For the European economy, the report’s message is unambiguous. The window to claim a leading position in the quantum economy is closing. Companies that still dismiss the technology as distant future talk risk missing the boat on what may become the next major industrial revolution.
(dpa/lb)
