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Making ConneQtions

Program: Interreg Deutschland-Nederland Duration: June 2026 – September 2029 Project budget: €8,027,265.40&nbsp; Lead partner: Oost NL&nbsp;

Project Details

Sensitive information that is sent securely today could still fall into the wrong hands in the future. Powerful quantum computers may eventually be able to break certain encryption methods. This poses a risk to organizations that exchange confidential data, such as government agencies, hospitals, and businesses.The Dutch-German Interreg project Making ConneQtions is developing new technology to keep digital communication secure well into the future. Partners are developing scalable quantum communication chips and testing them in a cross-border test connection between Enschede and Münster. This gives organizations the opportunity to bring their own security challenges to the table. &nbsp;<h2>Why is this important?</h2>From medical records and personal data to trade secrets and financial information, organizations exchange confidential information every day that sometimes needs to remain protected for years. There are strong indications that countries are already intercepting and storing encrypted information to decrypt it later using powerful quantum computers. This is known as “harvest now, decrypt later.”For hospitals, governments, and companies that handle sensitive information, this makes digital security an urgent challenge. Making ConneQtions is investigating how quantum technology can contribute to secure communication, both now and in the future.<h2>What does Making ConneQtions do?</h2>Within Making ConneQtions, Dutch and German companies and research institutions are collaborating on a new generation of quantum communication technology. They are developing special photonic chips that use light to securely exchange information. &nbsp;A key component is quantum authentication. This technology helps verify that you are actually communicating with the correct party. Project partner QSA Technology is developing chips for this purpose that have a unique physical property, comparable to a digital fingerprint. This allows a party’s identity to be verified with added security.To further develop the technology, the project partners are establishing a cross-border test connection consisting of approximately 70 kilometers of fiber-optic cable between Enschede and Münster. Here, they can test chips, components, and applications under realistic conditions.By involving end users, such as companies and government agencies focused on their digital security, at an early stage, we accelerate the transition from technology to application and strengthen the border region’s economic potential, digital resilience, and technological position. &nbsp;<h2>Who is Making ConneQtions for?</h2>Making ConneQtions is of interest to both organizations developing quantum technology and those seeking to better secure their digital communications.The project focuses on:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e71c776a14734a0cae20d374f62327939">Companies and organizations that exchange confidential data, such as government agencies, hospitals, financial institutions, security organizations, and larger companies.</li><li data-list-item-id="ec2274b450a838445e3b73209cb0d1d56">High-tech SMEs in sectors such as semiconductors, photonics, and quantum technology that develop, manufacture, or integrate new chips and components.</li><li data-list-item-id="e744511118d2217683399e36167c3f9fc">Technology companies and system integrators working on applications in sectors such as telecommunications, data centers, defense, industrial automation, and digital infrastructure.</li><li data-list-item-id="e0b13e60d703a3285e95e621c44ed18c2">Research institutions and innovation partners that contribute to research, technology development, and market validation.</li></ul><h2>Your security challenge as the starting point</h2>What does your organization need to ensure the secure exchange of confidential information in the future? And what role can quantum technology play in this? Making ConneQtions aims to engage organizations that will ultimately use the technology. They do not need to be specialists in quantum technology themselves.Do you have a specific challenge related to secure digital communication? If so, you can submit it as a use case. Consider, for example, a healthcare institution that wants to securely exchange medical data between locations, or a company that shares confidential information with international partners.The project partners are investigating what practical needs exist and how the technology can address them. Interesting use cases may be further developed, tested, or validated on the testbed between Enschede and Münster.Starting in 2027, Making ConneQtions will organize workshops where organizations can share their needs and challenges. At the same time, participants will be introduced to the technology and discover what applications are possible. You don’t have to wait for the workshops to begin. Organizations with a relevant security issue can get in touch right away.<h2>What are the benefits of Making ConneQtions?</h2>Making ConneQtions brings together technology development, test infrastructure, and market validation. The project partners are developing new generations of integrated quantum communication chips and testing them together with potential users in a realistic environment.The project partners are focusing on:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e03df88f1f337543c4c617eb79e99710a">New quantum communication chips: the development of integrated chips, from prototypes to demonstrators that are one step closer to production.</li><li data-list-item-id="ee7543fceea7540edc4e2fc612bacf2aa">A cross-border test bed: approximately 70 kilometers of fiber-optic cable between Enschede and Münster to test new technology under realistic conditions.</li><li data-list-item-id="ecd882d1e3015bdc5e2b882cccdd1e92e">Practical applications: collecting and investigating use cases from potential end users.</li><li data-list-item-id="e3dd4e79afa51695552e04bb928dc362e">Knowledge sharing and collaboration: workshops, training sessions, a hackathon, and demonstrations to bring companies, researchers, and end users together.</li><li data-list-item-id="edf2033adc421e3a3ecba3e5ae7723c6d">Insight into market opportunities: market studies and roadmaps showing where quantum communication can be applied in the future.</li></ul>Through these activities, Making ConneQtions strengthens collaboration between Dutch and German technology companies, research institutions, and potential users. The project helps bring new technology closer to the market and contributes to Europe’s digital resilience and technological independence.<h2>Which partners are involved?</h2>Dutch and German companies, research institutions, and development organizations are collaborating on a new generation of chip-based quantum communication technology. &nbsp;Project partners &nbsp;<ul><li data-list-item-id="e6fa47666a65a7bea7147ca8a98e657bd">Oost NL &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="efc045f4a87db6e2ea9909d3b1def1fbe">NMWP Management GmbH &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e6c10380d8dc7407dcd503b1ffbc19bf7">University of Twente &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="eea9f0bd80654d131227deedfd8ba2aae">University of Münster &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e4e25bab3faf7d063a2d73c2c10f554db">Pixel Photonics GmbH &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e4162dc7310136285bcd63469bc6a2354">Xen Quantum Netherlands B.V. &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e10f789a59ee55ebb4cd1ee796ee40c4d">PiCard Systems B.V. &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ec32b7437331a18519c3513024071c555">Microwave Photonics GmbH &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e924fe683248995dcf17b51f3f5ef0bfc">QSA Technology B.V. &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e17e411c9263561715180380f16c9b799">Sabratha Photonics B.V. &nbsp;</li></ul>Associate partners &nbsp;<ul><li data-list-item-id="eb0b5c47f8093e42b54f33f9fe8e4fa97">Elmos Semiconductor &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e36e9bd3d8ab05781043573274789b342">Prodrive Technologies &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e2f5556915cf402b79164467bf9ccd232">Arcadiz &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e336877803fa8be2567d0b054b4298d8f">Fraud Help Desk &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e63b5246d821f73df8caa4a68948c18a8">LioniX International &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="edaceb40650fa216712485aa0cc5a291f">Eindhoven University of Technology &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e03a905506c3bb833434d2849ab505786">REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Center &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e63284bbea72afcb1c63358f50e0b4fae">CeNTech GmbH &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e3b3a9eeb22eac6f58987d85aac5ef749">Center for Security and Digitalization Foundation &nbsp;</li></ul>Making ConneQtions is implemented as part of the Interreg VI Deutschland-Nederland program and is co-funded by the European Union, MWIKE NRW, the State Chancellery of Lower Saxony, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK), and the provinces of Overijssel, Gelderland, Groningen, Fryslân, Drenthe, Flevoland, North Brabant, and Limburg. &nbsp;<h2>Interested in the project?</h2>Organizations can learn about the technology, exchange expertise, and explore potential applications through workshops, training sessions, demonstrations, and the hackathon. &nbsp;Would you like to learn more about MakingConneQtions, the test bed between Enschede and Münster, or the opportunities to get involved? Please contact Hilde van der Pluym. &nbsp;Hilde van der Pluym&nbsp; Business Developer Tech, Oost NL&nbsp; 06 39 63 62 87&nbsp; hilde.vanderpluym@oostnl.nl &nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:64.27%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:1632/767;" src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/260608_Logo_transp_RGB_Making_Conne_Qtions_46ab6b3c45_e792297aa7.jpg" alt="260608_Logo_transp_RGB_Making_Conne_Qtions_46ab6b3c45.jpg" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_260608_Logo_transp_RGB_Making_Conne_Qtions_46ab6b3c45_e792297aa7.jpg 245w,https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_260608_Logo_transp_RGB_Making_Conne_Qtions_46ab6b3c45_e792297aa7.jpg 500w,https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_260608_Logo_transp_RGB_Making_Conne_Qtions_46ab6b3c45_e792297aa7.jpg 750w,https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/large_260608_Logo_transp_RGB_Making_Conne_Qtions_46ab6b3c45_e792297aa7.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1632" height="767"></figure>

Sensitive information that is sent securely today could still fall into the wrong hands in the future. Powerful quantum computers may eventually be able to break certain encryption methods. This poses a risk to organizations that exchange confidential data, such as government agencies, hospitals, and businesses. The Dutch-German Interreg project Making ConneQtions is developing new technology to keep digital communications secure well into the future.&nbsp;