Officially launched in January 2026, the EDHEC Quantum Institute is a world first: never before had a leading business school created an institute entirely dedicated to quantum technologies
Based in Nice, at the heart of a rich and well-structured scientific and industrial ecosystem, the Institute has set itself a multifaceted mission: to prepare EDHEC students for the challenges of the quantum era by integrating quantum knowledge across all programmes; to support business leaders and organisations in understanding, adopting and preparing for quantum technologies through education and applied research; and to broaden access to these topics through an active approach to awareness-building and knowledge dissemination.
Behind this initiative is Lionel Martellini, a globally recognised finance professor, holder of a PhD in Finance from the University of California, Berkeley, and a PhD in Astrophysics from Université Côte d’Azur. He is convinced that the quantum revolution could have an even deeper impact on the economy than artificial intelligence, and that the time to prepare for it has now arrived.
Discover our interview with Lionel Martellini (pictured), Founder and Director of the EDHEC Quantum Institute and Professor of Finance at EDHEC Business School.
The EDHEC Quantum Institute is a world first within a business school. Where did this initiative come from?
The idea emerged from a simple observation. On the one hand, quantum technology providers are advancing rapidly in what amounts to a major industrial revolution, comparable to AI and perhaps even more profound. On the other hand, the end users of these technologies generally have only a limited understanding of what quantum technologies are and what they can do for them. We felt there was a genuine need for a bridge between these two worlds: to inform, help business decision-makers better understand the stakes involved, and prepare for the adoption of these technologies when the time comes. And that time is approaching quickly.
We often hear about the quantum revolution, but a first revolution has already taken place. What is changing today?
Quantum technologies have already completely transformed our economies. Lasers for optical fibre communications, computer microprocessors, MRI scanners in medicine, atomic clocks: all of these are based on quantum physics.
That first revolution took place in the 1950s and 1960s. What is happening today is the second quantum revolution, which is radically different in nature. The first was about mastering large systems of particles. What we are now learning to do is manipulate quantum objects individually, one photon, one electron at a time. Thanks to two fundamental properties of quantum physics, superposition and entanglement, this opens up capabilities we simply did not have before. It is a bit like when our ancestors learned to master fire. Fire already existed. But once they learned how to harness it, everything changed. That is exactly where we are today.
In practical terms, what are the three pillars of this second revolution?
The first is quantum computing. Quantum computers will make it possible to solve problems that are inaccessible today, calculations that would take millions of years on a classical computer but could be completed in a matter of minutes or hours. It represents a genuine leap forward.
The second pillar is quantum communications. Quantum physics will provide ways to secure our communications in an absolutely unbreakable manner. This is both a major opportunity and a matter requiring vigilance for every organisation.
The third pillar is metrology, the science of precise measurement. Thanks to quantum phenomena, we can now measure the local magnetic field at a specific point on Earth with such accuracy that satellite-free geolocation becomes possible. The applications in defence, healthcare and exploration are considerable.
Your own career path is unusual, spanning both finance and physics. How did these two worlds come together?
My profession is that of a finance professor. I led a finance research centre at EDHEC, created spin-offs and worked alongside major global corporations. That is my core profession.
At the same time, I have always devoted time to what has been a true intellectual passion: physics. I started with astrophysics and began a PhD because it had been a childhood dream. Then, after returning from a one-year sabbatical at MIT, I developed a research programme on the foundations of quantum physics. As I entered this field, I realised that a new technological revolution was about to unfold. Someone like me, who has worked in finance for thirty years and also happens to love physics, had not realised that finance itself would be transformed by these technologies. If someone with that profile was unaware of it, then there was clearly a tremendous need for education and awareness. That is what led me to propose the creation of this institute to our Dean.
Which sectors stand to benefit most from the opportunities offered by quantum technologies?
All sectors, although some more immediately than others. Finance, naturally, through portfolio optimisation and risk management.
Healthcare is another major area, particularly in drug discovery. Quantum computers will make it possible to model the interaction between a therapeutic molecule and a pathogen and identify the optimal treatment for each patient. We already have the equations, the physics and the mathematics. What we currently lack is the computing power. Tomorrow, we will have it.
Beyond healthcare, there are applications in advanced materials, energy, chemistry, logistics and defence. For the first time in human history, we will be able to combine fundamental building blocks in simulation and observe what emerges at scale.
A quantum computer is not a universal machine that does everything better than a classical computer. It is a tool that solves certain problems far more efficiently. And those specific problems exist across every industry.
When should business leaders start engaging with the topic, and where should they begin?
The most credible experts place the arrival of a fully operational quantum computer around 2029–2031. That is tomorrow. Major international banks such as JP Morgan and HSBC already have dedicated quantum teams. In France, Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas are actively involved. Google has announced that it expects to complete its migration to post-quantum cryptography by 2029. Orange is already helping clients navigate this transition.
The first point of entry for any organisation, regardless of sector, is cybersecurity. Our entire current cryptographic infrastructure is based on the assumption that it would take millions of years for a classical computer to break encryption keys. Quantum computers will fundamentally change that equation. The transition to what is known as post-quantum cryptography will require years of audits, system redesign and infrastructure upgrades. But this is not just an issue for IT departments. It belongs at executive committee level and concerns finance, marketing, legal, HR and every business decision-maker.
What does the EDHEC Quantum Institute offer companies in practical terms?
We engage with organisations across four main areas
The first is research. We facilitate dialogue between quantum technology providers and potential users, whether banks, asset managers or industrial companies. We bring expertise in business use cases, while technology providers contribute their technical capabilities. This makes it possible to focus on genuinely relevant challenges rather than technology demonstrations disconnected from real-world needs.
The second area is education. We develop executive education programmes in both open-enrolment and customised formats. Organisations can ask us to design programmes specifically for their executives. Our mission is to build capabilities and raise awareness of the opportunities, challenges and risks associated with quantum technologies.
The third area is knowledge sharing and public awareness. We believe the quantum revolution is not solely a matter for scientists or business leaders; it is a societal issue. We therefore organise conferences, webinars, media appearances and public events to make these topics accessible. We are also developing innovative formats for knowledge dissemination, including a graphic novel project dedicated to the foundations of quantum physics. Our ambition is to help build a shared quantum culture, much as has happened with artificial intelligence in recent years.
The fourth and final area is incubation. EDHEC operates two incubators: one at Station F in Paris, and another in Sophia Antipolis, TechForward, which is run in partnership with EURECOM and Institut Mines-Télécom. We will be launching a dedicated quantum track to support emerging entrepreneurial projects through mentoring, networking and strategic feedback.
Why are Nice and the French Riviera particularly well positioned to host this institute?
Because there is already a strong quantum ecosystem here. The Institute of Physics of Nice brings together world-class laboratories. Thales Alenia Space has developed significant quantum expertise in Cannes. Université Côte d’Azur is a natural partner. Together with these stakeholders, we want to help position Nice and the French Riviera on the global map of quantum for business — not only in terms of fundamental research, but also applied quantum technologies that are practical, useful and accessible to decision-makers.
What are the Institute’s next milestones?
From an educational perspective, our first quantum course was delivered a few weeks ago within the MBA programme. Next year, we expect to expand the subject into the Grande École programme and then into the Bachelor programme. Within two years, all EDHEC students should be exposed to quantum-related issues, just as they are today to artificial intelligence and climate change.
In terms of events, we will participate in the World Quantum Cannes Festival on 17 and 18 November at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, alongside Université Côte d’Azur and Thales. At the same time, we are organising a public event featuring a keynote by physicist and science communicator Étienne Klein, accompanied by workshops and an exhibition exploring quantum science through art. Because quantum literacy is not only a matter for business leaders. It is a matter for society as a whole.
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Noëmie NEVERS
Head of Marketing & Communications
