Quantum technologies are advancing rapidly, but commercial adoption continues to trail innovation. A new joint study from the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) finds that while quantum-related innovation has grown fivefold over the past decade, most companies in the sector are still not focused on bringing quantum products to market.
The report offers a detailed look at the global quantum ecosystem, examining patent activity, investment trends, supply chains, workforce needs, and policy frameworks. It arrives as quantum computing, communication, and sensing move from academic research into early-stage commercial development—yet remain far from widespread deployment.
The study shows that nearly 9,740 international patent families related to quantum technologies were filed globally between 2005 and 2024. Quantum computing has seen the fastest growth, expanding almost 60-fold since 2005 and now overtaking quantum communication as the most rapidly developing segment. Despite this momentum, fewer than 20% of the more than 4,500 companies active in the quantum space identify quantum as their core business.
That imbalance reflects a broader challenge. Startups drive much of the early innovation, but larger, non-core firms account for most patents, jobs, and near-term commercialization. As a result, quantum technologies remain largely confined to pilot projects, research partnerships, and niche applications.
Europe plays a central role in this landscape. The region hosts one of the world’s densest clusters of core quantum companies, particularly in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France, where close to 40% of quantum firms are startups focused primarily on quantum technologies. However, the report highlights a persistent gap between Europe’s research strength and its ability to scale companies into global commercial leaders.
By contrast, the United States leads globally in quantum patenting and benefits from deeper private-sector investment and stronger participation from large technology companies. Major multinational firms—including IBM, Intel, Microsoft, LG, and Toshiba—continue to dominate patent filings, underscoring the capital-intensive nature of scaling quantum systems.
Beyond funding, the study points to structural barriers slowing adoption. Quantum technologies depend on highly specialized supply chains and scarce technical talent, while commercialization also requires software, systems integration, and business expertise that many early-stage firms lack.
The findings suggest quantum technologies are approaching a critical transition point. Innovation is accelerating, but without sustained private investment and clearer pathways to deployment, the economic and infrastructure impacts of quantum computing and sensing may remain limited well into the next decade.
