Whats4u London Mixer – Autumn 2026 Edition

Talk × Interactive Sessions × Networking

📅 11 November 2026
📍 HEC in the UK House – 43 Parker Street, London WC2B 5PS
⏰ 18:30 – 22:00

Demystifying Quantum

Quantum technology is evolving rapidly, yet for most of us, it remains largely outside our radar. It promises to transform computing, finance, healthcare, cybersecurity and many other industries.

But what actually is quantum? Why does it matter? How far are we from widespread adoption? And do you need a PhD in physics to understand any of it?

Spoiler: you don’t.

For this new edition of the Whats4u London Mixer, we invite you to step into the fascinating — and often mysterious — world of quantum technologies.

We are Whats4u, a collective of 18 alumni associations from leading French Grandes Écoles, with a clear mission: connecting alumni, inspiring futures.

We have designed an evening to make quantum less mysterious — and connections more unexpected.

Expect an accessible and thought-provoking talk, playful interactions designed to spark conversations, and the opportunity to meet people from across our alumni communities over food and drinks.

A blend of knowledge, curiosity, fun and human connection.

Programme overview

Welcome & soft landing

Arrive, grab a drink and ease into the evening with fellow alumni.

Demystifying Quantum

An accessible and thought-provoking talk with Lionel Martellini, Founding Director of the EDHEC Quantum Institute.

No equations. No quantum physics degree required. We’ll explore what makes quantum so different, where the technology stands today, and what it could mean for business, society and our everyday lives.

Playful interactions

Shift from listening to interacting through playful activities designed to spark curiosity, conversation and unexpected encounters.

Food, drinks & unexpected connections

Continue the conversations — or start completely new ones — over food and drinks with people from across the Whats4u community.

Keynote speaker

Lionel Martellini

Founding Director, EDHEC Quantum Institute

Lionel Martellini is a professor and researcher working at the intersection of finance, mathematics and physics. He is the Founding Director of the EDHEC Quantum Institute, which aims to bridge quantum science, innovation and the business world.

A recognised expert in investment strategies and quantitative finance, Lionel has built a career spanning academia, research and industry. His work explores how advances in mathematics and physics can be applied to complex challenges in finance and, increasingly, how quantum technologies could open up new possibilities for businesses and organisations.

Through the EDHEC Quantum Institute, he brings together researchers, industry leaders and decision-makers to explore the potential of quantum technologies, develop practical applications and help organisations understand and prepare for what may come next.

For our London Mixer, Lionel will take us beyond the buzzwords to help us understand what quantum really is, where the technology stands today — and why the rest of us might want to start paying attention.

Our Partners

A big thank you to our two partners for supporting this edition of the Whats4u London Mixer!

&Swapp – Swap homes with fellow alumni

&Swapp is a home-exchange platform connecting alumni from business schools, engineering schools and universities. With over 400 members already on board, it offers a simple way to swap homes for a weekend, a few weeks or longer. Paris–London and Boston–New York exchanges are already open, with more destinations to come!

👉 Explore available home swaps

HEC UK House – Your event space in central London

Located in the heart of London, HEC UK House offers versatile spaces for meetings, workshops and events, bringing people and ideas together in an inspiring setting.

👉 Discover HEC UK House

What our community says

“It was different from other networking events where you just listen to a panel and then have drinks. Whats4u engaged the participants through smaller workshop groups which made the ‘networking’ aspect of the evening less daunting, more natural and organic. I really liked the format which to me was a perfect way to ease into an evening where the aim is to talk to a lot of different people.”

“Good atmosphere, easy to access, not too late during the day and very good programme / time management.”

“I really had a good time, the pace was good, the panellists interesting, the workshops and the networking as well!”