The Nordic Quantum Ideation Workshop is an initiative designed to equip quantum scientists with concrete tools to help them assess the business potential of their research. The workshop takes place in Copenhagen on 8–10 April 2026. It is organized by KU Lighthouse, BioInnovation Institute (BII) and Anne Gladbo in collaboration with UnternehmerTUM and TUM Venture Labs Quantum.
Gladbo has a background in theoretical quantum physics with a strong passion for quantum innovation, and then she aims to help researchers take the final step toward entrepreneurship: “What can we do to help quantum researchers think commercially but without requiring a lot of time commitment and financial resources? My dream is to install a small commercial program in the minds of the scientists,” says Gladbo.
She was first introduced to the Quantum Ideation Workshop concept during a meeting with UnternehmerTum and Tum Venture Labs Quantum in Munich. When she learned about the workshop, she immediately understood its potential for the Nordic region:
“When you study quantum physics, your primary motivation is not commercial. You are driven by a desire to understand how the world works,” Gladbo says. “Your interest is not really about business. However, with the new quantum revolution, many scientists are increasingly interested in moving closer to industry, but they often don’t know how to take that step. The question is how do I identify what my research can be used for? What kind of product could it become? Where do I even begin? This is the questions we aim to help them with in the workshop.”
With five workshops already completed in Munich and a total of 52 participants, the concept has been thoroughly tested ahead of its launch in Copenhagen in April.
An innovation tool for quantum scientists
The workshop is open for PhD students, postdocs and researchers working in quantum-related fields, including physics, materials, chemistry, sensing, communication, and computing. Participants may come with a concrete idea they wish to explore, or simply with curiosity about entrepreneurship and research-based startup creation.
On the first day of the workshop, participants will be divided into groups and select a research field to work with. Each group will then explore the selected research field from a commercial perspective: “We will focus on what the research is actually capable of. Instead of focusing on what it is, we will explore its underlying capabilities and what makes it unique,” explains Gladbo."
With the support of AI tools, the groups will investigate how their research could be transformed into products, identify relevant markets and discuss commercial potential. “The workshop should be seen as an innovation tool for quantum scientists. It is a tool that teaches them to view their research in a different way. To see its commercial potential. Scientists are not trained to think commercially. But this is what we want to help them with,” says Gladbo.
On the second day of the workshop, participants will go deeper into the commercial side and discuss questions such as what makes a product? What is a customer? What defines a business case? What is a market? “This day is very hands-on and practical. Participants will also get familiar with the terminology used in the startup world,” explains Gladbo.
By the end of the day, participants will present their business ideas in a pitch-session.
“This is really what I am looking forward to. Seeing the transformation during the day. In the morning, the participants will focus on their research, and by the afternoon, they will discuss products, potential application, customers and so on,” concludes Gladbo.
Do you want to participate in the workshop? We are still open for applications. Deadline is 1 March.
Background
The initiative is supported under the program Nordic Forward: Competitiveness and Resilience for 2050.
