Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, a leading company in quantum computing and participant in the Industrial Doctorate Plan (DI Plan), has announced the imminent inauguration of Europe's first quantum data center in Barcelona. This milestone not only positions the company and the Catalan ecosystem at the forefront of disruptive technology, but also exemplifies the fruit of collaboration between the innovative business fabric and research talent trained in high-level programs such as the DI Plan.
The new hybrid infrastructure, which combines classical and quantum supercomputing, represents a qualitative leap for applied research in southern Europe. This growth is consolidated on a business model based on the co-development of solutions with industry, a philosophy that the Industrial Doctorate Plan promotes by creating bridges between academic knowledge and business challenges.
The new data center, located in the Sant Martí technology district, occupies an area of 1,000 square meters and will initially house four quantum computers, with a forecast expansion to fifteen in the coming years. This project has been made possible thanks to a financing round of 10 million euros provided by top-level partners such as Repsol or Axis (ICO), which has also allowed to unify its 70 employees in new offices and attract prestigious international talent.
This growth is based on a key pillar: highly qualified talent . In this regard, the Industrial Doctorate Plan has become a strategic tool for Qilimanjaro, which is currently developing up to nine research projects within the framework of the program. This determined commitment to the training of doctors in a business environment underlines the importance of collaborative research to address complex technological challenges. As has been highlighted in previous reports and news published on this website, the contribution of industrial doctoral students is crucial for the development of the different layers of 'hardware' and 'software' that integrate its quantum computers.
Marta P. Estarellas, CEO of Qilimanjaro, defines quantum computing as “ the next step in the digital age ,” a tool designed to solve previously intractable problems in fields such as drug design, molecular simulation, or the optimization of financial and logistical processes. The company’s vision, as expressed in an interview for Pla DI, is that companies that adopt this technology early will be much more competitive in the future.
Qilimanjaro's business model is based on the co-development of solutions with clients such as the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) or Repsol. This direct interaction with the end user allows the company to obtain key information to build products that respond to real market needs, an open innovation methodology that the DI Plan actively promotes. The company is now looking to consolidate this stage with a new round of financing of 40 million euros to perfect its technology and expand its commercial presence.
The inauguration of the Qilimanjaro data center is not only a business success, but also a validation of the knowledge transfer and talent training model promoted by the Industrial Doctorate Plan. It demonstrates how investment in strategic research and public-private collaboration are fundamental to building a robust, competitive technological ecosystem with the capacity to lead the next computational revolution from Catalonia.
