July 14, 2026 -- The European Patent Office (EPO) participated in Servus Scale Up 2026 in Munich, highlighting the role of patents, patent data and IP expertise in supporting Europe's quantum innovation ecosystem. The event brought together 200 French and Bavarian startups, investors, technology transfer professionals, researchers, and policymakers to strengthen cross-border co-operation in emerging technologies.

The event on 8 July was the fourth edition organised by La French Tech Munich to bring together the French and Bavarian startup ecosystems. This year’s programme was dedicated to quantum technologies, enabling startups, investors, policymakers and other innovation stakeholders to engage in panel discussions on the topic, as well as a live pitching competition and networking activities. 

Christoph Ernst, EPO Vice-President Legal and International Affairs, delivered an opening speech, in which he highlighted the importance of supporting Europe’s deep tech startups and the need to strengthen cross-border innovation ecosystems. Referring to recent EPO findings, he noted that quantum patenting has grown five-fold over the past decade, with annual growth averaging 20% – around ten times faster than the average across all technology fields. He also highlighted that Europe’s share of international patent families (IPFs) in quantum technologies increased from 19% to 25% over the same period, underlining the continent’s strong position in this strategically important field. He further emphasised the need to help Europe’s deep tech startups scale and remain globally competitive. In this context, the EPO’s Deep Tech Finder now features nearly 150 European quantum startups, providing valuable visibility into a sector where Europe remains strong but continues to face a funding gap compared with the United States. Later in the evening, Christoph Ernst presented one of the awards in the startup pitching competition, further reinforcing the EPO’s dialogue with the deep tech community. 

Turning high-quality patent data into actionable intelligence on quantum technologies

The EPO’s participation in this event also complemented the work of the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology in the field of quantum technologies, including its joint study with the OECD, its dedicated quantum technology platform and the recently launched EPO Data Desk, which provides detailed dashboards on quantum-related patenting trends. Together, these initiatives form part of the EPO’s growing competitiveness toolbox, helping innovators, investors and policymakers make informed decisions and identify opportunities in rapidly evolving deep tech fields. By combining patent knowledge, data and intelligence, the EPO helps stakeholders to appreciate and react quickly to emerging opportunities to gain industrial leadership.