Global Quantum Hackathon 2026
What is the Quantum Hackathon?
The Quantum Hackathon is a global, distributed 48-hour event connecting students, researchers, developers, professionals and quantum enthusiasts.
Instead of one central venue, the hackathon takes place simultaneously at participating local nodes around the world. All nodes follow the same global schedule and judging framework, while local teams get the opportunity to meet, build and receive support in their own community.
Build a real project with quantum technology, learn from mentors and other participants, connect with the global quantum community — and compete for cash prizes and IonQ compute credits, including a global first prize of $10,000 in cash + $20,000 in quantum compute.
QUTE.sk is proud to represent Slovakia as one of the participating nodes.
The goal is simple:
Take an idea, turn it into a working project, and show what quantum technology can do.
IonQ and Qollab
What can you build?
The global hackathon offers three main themes:
Quantum Impact
Use quantum computing to explore a real-world problem.
optimization, machine learning, simulation, scheduling and real-world applications
Quantum Playground
Use quantum mechanics as a creative medium.
games, art, music, interactive experiences and unconventional ideas
Quantum Unlocked
Make difficult quantum concepts easier to understand.
education, visualisation, simulation and interactive learning
No quantum experience? That’s OK.
You do not need previous quantum experience to participate. Some Python or programming experience will be useful, but the hackathon is open to people with different backgrounds and skill sets.
A great team might combine: quantum knowledge + coding + domain expertise + design + creativity.
Who can participate?
- You must be 18 or older.
- You can participate individually, or in a team of up to 4 people.
- You are students or professionals – you do not need to be enrolled at a university to take part.
- Slovakia is an eligible country.
- Participants should follow the registration requirements specified by Qollab for their situation.
TIMELINE
How does the 48-hour hackathon work?
Before the hackathon
28 September – Registration open
6 October – Registration close
Register through the global Qollab platform and associate yourself with the appropriate participating university/node where applicable.
Build weekend
9 October, 19:00 ET – Building starts
11 October, 19:00 ET – Submissions close
For the 48 hours, teams work on their projects. Projects are submitted through the global hackathon process.
After submission
Projects are first evaluated locally by the judging committee associated with the node. Selected projects then continue to the global judging process.
week of 19 October – Global winners are announced
Join the Slovak quantum community
The hackathon is more than a competition.
It is an opportunity to meet people who are working with quantum technologies, exchange ideas, learn new tools and experiment with technologies that are still at an early stage.
Whether you already work in quantum computing or are discovering it for the first time, we invite you to join us.
Local Node Information
Organizer / Local Node: QUTE.sk — Slovak National Center for Quantum Technologies
Location: Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava
Format: 48-hour global hackathon + local Slovak node
Local contact: event@qute.sk