1000 quantum pioneers wanted

March 20, 2026

Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HKA) is sending out a clear signal with an extraordinary joint initiative: with a total volume of one million euros, the university plans to acquire its own quantum computer for application-oriented teaching and research. 1,000 pioneers are each investing 1,000 euros to jointly enable the next generation of technology and specialists.

The initiative was officially launched on March 20, 2026 in the presence of representatives from science, business, culture and politics. The event was under the patronage of Karlsruhe's Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup and Honorary President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Wolfgang Grenke.

With this project, HKA is responding to the growing importance of quantum technology. Quantum computing is considered a key technology for numerous industries worldwide - from pharmaceutical research and materials science to logistics optimization.

"We are on the threshold from bit to qubit - it takes a pioneering spirit, courage for the future and unbridled curiosity about what is to come," said Prof. Dr. Rose Marie Beck, President of Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, in her welcoming address. "As a university, we have decided not to wait for the future, but to actively shape it here: With our own degree program in quantum computing, our students will be able to learn on the hardware of tomorrow. After all, we are a university of applied sciences."

From the winter semester 2026/27, the first Bachelor's degree course in quantum computing in the entire German-speaking region will start at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. In future, "quantum engineers" will be trained here to drive forward the transfer of basic research into industrial applications.

Prof. Dr. Franz Quint, Vice President for Research, Cooperation and Transfer at HKA, also emphasized how strongly the university focuses on the connection between knowledge and application: "Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences stands for 'knowledge and ability'. Goethe already knew: 'It is not enough to know, one must also apply, it is not enough to want, one must also do'. This is precisely the approach taken by HKA with the first application-oriented Bachelor's degree program in quantum computing in the German-speaking world. We are training quantum engineers who will put their knowledge of quantum technology to practical use in companies. They will 'do', thanks to the quantum computer made possible by our 1000 quantum pioneers."

Karlsruhe is already one of the leading locations for quantum technology in Germany and ranks seventh internationally. With the planned acquisition of its own quantum computer, this lead is to be further extended - in particular through practical training and research directly on the device.

The initiative is supported by a broad network from science and industry. Among others, Margit Rosen (ZKM), Dr. Frank Mentrup, Lord Mayor of the City of Karlsruhe, Wolfgang Grenke (Honorary President of the Karlsruhe Chamber of Industry and Commerce), André Deponte (Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik) and Prof. Dr. Oliver Kraft (KIT) provided impetus and insights at the launch.

The patrons of the initiative emphasized the importance of the quantum computing crowdfunding campaign. Dr. Frank Mentrup, Lord Mayor of the City of Karlsruhe, explained: "Quantum technology is revolutionizing the computer world and is a very important challenge in our technology region with its focus on information technology and AI. The specialists of tomorrow are trained at the university and it is therefore crucial to connect students with quantum technology in good time. That is why I am happy to support HKA's '1000 quantum pioneers wanted' initiative as patron."

The business community sees the initiative as a clear signal for the location. Wolfgang Grenke, former member of HKA's University Council, emphasized: "As former President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and as an entrepreneur, our technology region of Karlsruhe is particularly close to my heart. It is therefore a great pleasure for me to take on the patronage of this donation initiative. I am convinced that this investment is an investment in our future. It offers the opportunity to establish our region as a leading location for quantum technologies."

With the planned quantum computer, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences not only wants to create technological infrastructure, but also send a strong signal for the future of Karlsruhe as a location for innovation. The initiative combines science, business and society in a joint project for the technologies of tomorrow.

Companies also see great potential in the technology. "If you don't invest in quantum technology today, you risk being left behind by fundamental innovations tomorrow - we see this as the next big technological leap with enormous economic potential," says André Deponte, Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik.

Prof. Dr. Oliver Kraft, Vice President for Research, Teaching and Academic Affairs at KIT, particularly emphasized the interaction from a scientific perspective: "Basic research has made enormous progress in recent years - but its full potential only unfolds when science, industry and education work together. It is a crucial step to build the bridge to application and at the same time invest in training the next generation. Quantum technology is a joint task for the future."

Support is also coming from the regional business network. Matthias Hornberger, Chairman of the Board of CyberForum e. V., said in his video message: "For SMEs, quantum technology is not a nice-to-have, but a prerequisite for technological sovereignty. We need quantum practitioners. The acquisition of a quantum computer enables the translation of theory into application. For us as the Cyberforum network, it is the edge we need and will contribute to Karlsruhe's future as a European quantum hotspot."

At the same time, the project exemplifies the current transformation process at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. Under the motto "Future Tech!", HKA is strategically focusing even more strongly on future technologies and consistently developing studies, research and transfer. The planned quantum computer and the new Bachelor's degree in quantum computing are visible building blocks of this strategic reorientation.