Q-Neko, the Nippon-Europe Quantum Koraborēshon, kicks off at the beginning of 2026!
The Q-Neko Project Kick-off Meeting will take place 10-12 February 2026 in Helsinki, Finland. The meeting will be held onsite.
The meeting will bring all consortium members together to officially launch the project and ensure alignment on goals, ways of working, and the immediate next steps.
Main objectives:
- Strengthen collaboration by getting to know one another
- Agree on the work plan for the first 12 months
- Identify and discuss potential challenges and mitigation measures
- Facilitate cross-WP collaboration
Venue
Address: Tyynenmerenkatu 2, Helsinki. Google Maps link
Agenda
Tue 10 Feb 2026
| 12:00-13:30 | Registration and lunch |
| 13:30-14:30 | Welcome and opening remarks |
| Opening remarks: Mikael Johansson (CSC) and Masahiro Horibe (AIST) | |
| Meeting practicalities: Sara Sintonen (CSC) | |
| Welcome to Finland: Kimmo Koski (CSC) | |
| Reflections on Europe-Japan collaboration: Kazuo Tsukada (Embassy of Japan in Finland) | |
| Intervention: Christian Trefzger (European Commission) | |
| 14:30-15:00 | Overview of the project objectives and impact: Mikael Johansson (CSC) |
| 15:00-15:30 | Group photos, coffee break |
| 15:30-16:30 | Panel discussion - Open by design, secure by default: Balancing openness, reciprocity, and compliance in Europe-Japan parterships |
| Moderator: Marie Sandberg (CSC) | |
| Panelists: Laura Taajamaa (Ministry of Education and Culture); Janne Hirvonen (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Masahiro Horibe (AIST); Frédéric Barbaresco (Thales); Hiroshi Nakata (Jij/Q-Star) | |
| 16:30-17:00 | Preparing for Day 2 |
| 19:00-20:00 | Reception by the City of Helsinki |
Wed 11 Feb 2026
| 9:00-10:00 | General Assembly (GA) meeting - GA members only |
| 10:00-10:30 | Coffee break |
| 10:30-11:15 | WP1 - Management and coordination: Sara Sintonen (CSC) |
| 11:15-12:00 | WP2 - Algorithm development: Satoshi Ejima (DLR) |
| 12:00-13:00 | lunch |
| 13:00-13:45 | WP3 - HPC+QC integration and software stack: Marek Lampart (IT4I@VSB) |
| 13:45-14:30 | WP4 - Benchmarks: Noe Olivier (Thales) |
| 14:30-15:15 | WP5 - Roadmap and pre-standardisation: Frank Deppe (IQM) |
| 15:15-15:45 | coffee break |
| 15:45-16:30 | WP6 - Expertise exchange and resource sharing: Aino Pöyhönen (CSC) |
| 16:30-17:15 | WP7 - Communication, dissemination, and exploitation: Satoshi Ejima (DLR) |
| 17:15-17:30 | Summary of Day 2 |
| 19:00 | Conference working dinner at Restaurant Social |
Thu 12 Feb 2026
| 9:00-10:00 | Project Management Board (PMB) meeting - WP leaders only |
| 10:00-11:00 | Cross-WP synergies and collaboration |
| 11:00-11:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:30-12:15 | Action points for upcoming months |
| 12:15-12:30 | Closing of the kick-off meeting |
| 12:30 | Lunch and Departure |
Social Programme
We have planned the following social activities during the Q-Neko Project Kick-off Meeting:
On 10 February 2026 – Reception courtesy of the City of Helsinki
A light savory buffet will be served, accompanied by a glass of wine or soft drinks. This reception is hosted by the City of Helsinki and provides an opportunity to network and connect with fellow consortium members in an informal setting. See separate tab for details.
On 11 February 2026 – Working Dinner at Clarion Hotel’s Restaurant Social. The dinner is provided at no cost to participants and is funded by the project. This will be a great occasion to continue discussions, strengthen collaboration, and relax after the second day of the meeting.
Accommodation
We recommend getting a room at the conference hotel Clarion Helsinki, but other options are of course possible as well. Please book early, as accommodation at the venue is limited.
See separate tab for instructions on how to reserve a room.
Registration
Registration is now closed.
Organizer
