Quantum Computing Challenges

Airbus and BMW · completed

The Airbus-BMW Quantum Computing Challenge was a year-long competition focused on solving real-world industrial optimization problems using quantum computing. Participants tackled challenges in aircraft design and automotive manufacturing. The competition offered EUR 150,000 in total prizes and attracted teams from around the world.

Kipu Quantum · completed

The Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026 was a 6-week hybrid event organized by Kipu Quantum featuring specialized tracks in quantum machine learning and optimization. Participants worked on real-world quantum computing challenges with mentorship from industry experts. The event combined online collaboration with in-person workshops in Berlin.

Pasqal · completed

The Blaise Pascal Quantum Challenge 2025 invited global innovators to explore how quantum-powered AI can support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Organized by Pasqal, the challenge attracted 137 submissions from teams worldwide, with the top 15 advancing to a two-week virtual hackathon. The winning team received EUR 15,000 from a total prize pool of EUR 30,000.

Classiq · completed

The Classiq Coding Competition was the first competition focused on quantum circuit efficiency, challenging participants to build the most optimized quantum circuits for real-world problems. The USD 25,000 competition featured four challenges including Hamiltonian exponentiation and Toffoli gate decomposition, attracting nearly 300 contestants from over 50 countries. Notable winners included youth participants under 18.

EuroHPC Joint Undertaking · active

The EuroHPC Quantum Grand Challenge invites European quantum computing startups to develop integrated hardware-software solutions with strong market potential. Phase 1 provides EUR 4 million in funding for technical roadmaps and prototypes, with the most promising projects advancing to Phase 2 for European Investment Bank venture debt financing. Priority is given to solutions integrating with existing EU supercomputing centres.

IGDA Finland and Aalto University · completed

The 11th edition of the Global Quantum Game Jam brought together game developers, quantum physicists, and artists to create games exploring quantum physics concepts. Organized by IGDA Finland and Aalto University, the fully online event ran from October 5 to 7, 2025. Participants collaborated to develop games connected to quantum physics either through real quantum machinery or thematic inspiration.

IBM Quantum · active

IBM Quantum Challenge is a biannual global event where participants solve quantum computing problems using IBM Qiskit and real quantum hardware. Each challenge focuses on different themes such as quantum algorithms, error mitigation, or quantum applications. Challenges are designed for various skill levels from beginners to experts.

MIT iQuISE · completed

iQuHACK (interdisciplinary Quantum HACKathon) is MIT's annual quantum computing hackathon organized by the interdisciplinary Quantum Information Science and Engineering (iQuISE) program. The 7th edition brought together over 400 students in person at MIT plus online participants. Teams work on quantum computing challenges using various platforms and frameworks.

Xanadu · completed

QHack is the world's largest quantum computing hackathon, organized by Xanadu. Teams compete in coding challenges, build quantum projects, and attend workshops with industry leaders.

Quantum Open Source Foundation · active

QOSF Monthly Challenges are ongoing quantum computing coding challenges released monthly by the Quantum Open Source Foundation. Each challenge focuses on different quantum algorithms, protocols, or applications and is designed to help participants learn through hands-on problem-solving. Solutions are shared on GitHub and discussed within the QOSF community.

WACQT (Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology) and IBM · completed

The WACQT Quantum Hackathon at Chalmers University brought together approximately 40 participants to explore quantum technologies, collaborate in teams, and solve real-world problems using IBM's Qiskit quantum tools. Hosted by the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, the event included a mandatory preparation lecture on quantum computing with Qiskit before the two-day hackathon.

XPRIZE Foundation, Google Quantum AI, and GESDA · active

XPRIZE Quantum Applications is a three-year, USD 5 million global competition challenging teams to develop deployable quantum algorithms for real-world impact in health, climate, energy, and materials science. Launched in March 2024, it attracted 376 registered teams from 82 countries, with seven Phase I finalists sharing USD 1 million in December 2025. A Phase II Wildcard Registration window opened in early 2026, with the grand prize of USD 3 million to be awarded in March 2027.