Barcelona is positioning itself as a key player in the European technology ecosystem. The British firm OQC, a notable name in quantum computing, will establish its new manufacturing and innovation center in the Catalan capital. This project involves a total investment of 92 million euros and will make the facility the most important of its kind in Southern Europe.
This will be OQC's first location on continental Europe. Once operational, it is expected to create approximately 210 highly skilled jobs. The company's CEO, Gerald Mullally, hailed the agreement as a "definitive step" for the company within the European industrial landscape, stating that Barcelona was "the right place" for such a significant undertaking.
The Barcelona facility will house both research and development activities and the manufacturing of the company's quantum computers. According to Mullally, it will assemble the "next generation of European quantum computing." The center, named OQC Global Quantum Development & Manufacturing Center, is slated to be operational by mid-2027. The company has indicated that the 92 million euros represent the initial phase of investment, with further significant funding anticipated from 2029 onwards.
OQC already operates a production and research center in the United Kingdom, currently employing around 150 people. Mullaly emphasized the "critically important" nature of the new Barcelona facility. The company had considered several European cities, including Copenhagen, Paris, and Munich, as well as other locations within Spain. Ultimately, Barcelona was chosen primarily for its high-quality local talent pool, particularly in the quantum sector, where companies often struggle to find top-tier specialists.
Mullally further commented that Barcelona offered "extraordinary talent, research strength, and the drive to turn ambition into execution," which were decisive factors in their decision.
