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Denmark is investing in the future of technology with plans to build one of the most powerful quantum computers in the world. A new Nordic initiative called QuNorth is being launched with €80 million in funding from Denmark’s EIFO (Export and Investment Fund) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, each contributing €40 million. The goal is to place Denmark at the forefront of global quantum computing.
The computer, named Magne after the son of the Norse god Thor, will be built through a partnership with Microsoft and Atom Computing. Construction is set to begin in autumn 2025, and the system is expected to be up and running by early 2027. Magne will be fully Danish-owned and based in Copenhagen.
What makes Magne special is that it will be a Level 2 quantum system. This means it can handle advanced calculations using “logical qubits,” making it far more reliable and useful than most current quantum computers. It will help researchers and companies solve problems that are too complex for today’s most powerful supercomputers.
Microsoft will provide special software and applications, while Atom Computing will supply the quantum hardware using its neutral atom technology, a leading approach in quantum development. Together, they hope to create the most powerful quantum computer yet.
Leaders from Denmark see this as a major step forward. Peder Lundquist, CEO of EIFO, said that Magne will give Danish researchers and companies a big advantage. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, warned that without access to such advanced systems, the Nordic region risks falling behind.
QuNorth will operate with a small team of about 10 employees focused on getting the most out of the new computer. It will also support four PhD and postdoctoral roles in partnership with Microsoft, helping to train the next generation of quantum experts.
Denmark’s Minister for Industry and Business, Morten Bødskov, called this a major move in the global quantum race and said it would benefit all of Europe. The QuNorth team will share more about their plans at a Nordic quantum event in 2025.