Peter Wennink Urges €9.4 Billion Investment to Secure Dutch Quantum Future
The Hague, Friday 30 January 2026
Former ASML CEO Peter Wennink warns that without a €9.4 billion capital injection, the Netherlands’ world-class quantum startups face inevitable acquisition by US competitors, threatening European technological sovereignty.
The Capital Void in Dutch Quantum
The urgency of Mr Wennink’s recommendation, delivered as part of his economic counsel to the Cabinet last month, stems from a stark reality: while Dutch quantum science remains world-class, the industrial scaling capability is dangerously underfunded [1]. The former ASML executive argues that at least €9.4 billion is required to bridge the gap between academic workshops and industrial manufacturing [1]. Without this capital injection, the Netherlands risks losing its technological sovereignty to well-capitalised foreign entities. This trend is already visible; on 29 January 2026, Quantum Delta NL emphasised that while the ecosystem is strong, deep investment is critical to retain top talent and infrastructure [6]. The threat of acquisition is palpable, with US competitors aggressively consolidating the market. For instance, IonQ recently moved to acquire SkyWater Technology in a deal valued at approximately $1.8 billion [6], illustrating the scale of capital deployment across the Atlantic that Dutch startups struggle to match [1].
From Lab to Fab: The Industrial Challenge
The potential within the Dutch ecosystem is exemplified by Delft-based startup QuantWare, which is currently developing the country’s first factory for quantum chips capable of storing 10,000 qubits [1]. These advanced components are projected to carry a price tag of €50 million each [1]. However, as Wennink notes, startups capable of producing such vital components—including chips, cables, and test equipment—cannot survive on scientific accolades alone [1]. McKinsey’s Technology Monitor 2025 predicts the quantum sector will expand thirtyfold to become a €100 billion industry within the next decade [6], making the failure to capitalise on early Dutch leads a potential economic catastrophe.
Strategic Autonomy and Defence Supply Chains
The push for quantum investment aligns with a broader necessity to secure European high-tech supply chains, particularly in defence and dual-use technologies. Neways, a key player in the sector, has intensified collaboration with printed circuit board (PCB) supplier NCAB to ensure geopolitical compliance and robustness in their supply lines [2]. Steven Soederhuizen, COO of Neways, explicitly stated that for the growing defence market, reliance on European suppliers is non-negotiable [2]. This pivot towards regional autonomy follows the Dutch government’s intervention in late October 2025, when it assumed control of European branches of chipmaker Nexperia [2], setting a precedent for state involvement in critical infrastructure. In this volatile geopolitical climate, companies are increasingly prioritising ‘Early Supplier Involvement’ to navigate security rules and material shortages [2].
High-Tech as the Economic Engine
The economic rationale for such heavy investment is supported by the latest performance data for the Dutch economy. Following a robust fourth quarter in 2025, where GDP expanded by 0.5%, the economy achieved a total growth of 1.9% for the year [5][7]. This represents a significant improvement over 2024, where growth was limited to 1.1% [7]. The recovery has been driven largely by the export of goods, which rose by 1.3% in the final quarter, with specific strength in machinery and chip production equipment [5][7]. As high-tech exports continue to serve as the engine of the manufacturing industry [5], failing to fuel the next generation of technology—quantum computing—could stall this momentum in the years to come.