Finance
Denmark Aims to Host World’s Most Powerful Quantum Computer
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 17, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
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Denmark aims to develop the world's most powerful quantum computer with significant investment from Novo Nordisk Foundation, promising advancements in science and medicine.
Denmark Set to Develop the World's Most Advanced Quantum Computer
By Supantha Mukherjee and Stine Jacobsen
STOCKHOLM/COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -The Novo Nordisk Foundation and Denmark's state-owned credit fund said on Thursday they will invest in what they say will be the world's most powerful quantum computer, aiming to revolutionize areas such as drug discovery and materials science.Quantum computing holds the promise of carrying out calculations that would take today's systems millions of years and could unlock discoveries in medicine, chemistry and many other fields where near-infinite seas of possible combinations of molecules confound classical computers.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation, the non-profit which controls pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, and Denmark's Export and Investment Fund (EIFO), said in a statement they would invest 80 million euros ($92.93 million) in the initiative called QuNorth.
Microsoft, which has its largest quantum lab in Denmark, will provide software and Atom Computing will build the quantum computer.
The computer will be named Magne, inspired by Norse mythology where Magne, the son of Thor, is known for his immense strength.
Construction will begin in autumn and the computer is expected to be ready by the end of next year.
The quantum computer will start operating with 50 logical qubits, Jason Zander, Microsoft's executive vice president, told Reuters.
A qubit, short for quantum bit, is the basic unit of information in a quantum computer and a logical qubit is a virtual qubit built from many physical qubits to reliably process quantum information.
Last November, Microsoft and Atom created 24 logical qubits, the highest number ever created.
"When we get to about 50 logical qubits, that's when we start hitting true quantum advantage," Zander said.
"I get to the point where I can run something on a quantum computer that I could not run on a classic computer."
"When the machine gets up to 100 (logical qubits), we can start doing science problems, get up to a couple 100s, we can start doing some chemistry and starting to answer things, and then when all the way up to 1,000, now you are solving everything," Zander said.
($1 = 0.8606 euros)
(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm and Stine Jacobsen in CopenhagenEditing by Frances Kerry)
Key Takeaways
- •Denmark plans to build the world's most powerful quantum computer.
- •Novo Nordisk Foundation and EIFO are investing 80 million euros.
- •Microsoft and Atom Computing are key partners in the project.
- •The computer, named Magne, will start with 50 logical qubits.
- •Quantum computing promises breakthroughs in science and medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions about Denmark aims to host world’s most powerful quantum computer
1What is the name of the quantum computer being developed in Denmark?
The quantum computer will be named Magne, inspired by Norse mythology.
2Who is collaborating with Denmark on the quantum computer project?
Microsoft will provide software, while Atom Computing will build the quantum computer.
3How many logical qubits will the quantum computer initially operate with?
The quantum computer will start operating with 50 logical qubits.
4When is the construction of the quantum computer expected to begin?
Construction is expected to begin in autumn and be ready by the end of next year.
5What is the significance of reaching 50 logical qubits?
Reaching about 50 logical qubits is when true quantum advantage begins, allowing computations that classic computers cannot handle.
