The State of Berlin’s Quantum Initiative, in partnership with Kipu Quantum, will host the Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026, a six-week event designed to accelerate the application of quantum computing to real-world challenges. Participants will leverage Kipu Quantum’s algorithms and platform, gaining access to over 20 quantum backends—including systems from IBM and IQM—and €20,000 in compute credits. The hackathon directly supports the Senate’s goal of establishing Berlin as a leading quantum technology hub by bridging research institutions, startups, and public organizations, ultimately translating scientific advancements into scalable applications and fostering broader quantum awareness.
Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026: Overview & Goals
The Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026, backed by the State of Berlin’s Quantum Initiative, aims to foster innovation and build a thriving quantum ecosystem. Running for six weeks, the event challenges teams to solve real-world problems submitted by Berlin-based organizations. Participants gain hands-on experience utilizing Kipu Quantum’s platform and accessing over 20 quantum backends – including IBM, IonQ, and IQM – with a total of €20,000 in compute credits available. The hackathon directly supports Berlin’s ambition to become a leading international quantum technology hub.
The competition focuses on practical applications of quantum computing, with initial challenges outlined in Quantum Machine Learning (brain-computer interfaces) and Quantum Optimization (crew scheduling). Teams of 2-5 members will leverage tools like the Kipu Quantum Hub – offering CLI, SDKs, and hybrid workflow orchestration – alongside expert mentorship from Kipu engineers and researchers. Successful teams can win prizes up to €9,000 in quantum hardware credits, alongside travel stipends and opportunities to showcase their solutions to industry leaders and policymakers.
Applications open November 18th, 2025, and close December 1st, 2025. While quantum experience is beneficial, it isn’t strictly required; strong Python programming skills are prioritized. The hackathon emphasizes collaboration and scalability, judging projects on innovation, technical execution, real-world impact, and clarity of presentation. Ultimately, the event seeks to bridge the gap between quantum research, startups, and established organizations, propelling Berlin toward a future powered by quantum technologies.
Challenge Tracks & Real-World Applications
The Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026 challenges participants to apply quantum computing to real-world problems proposed by Berlin-based organizations. Two initial “tracks” focus on Quantum Machine Learning – specifically decoding signals for Brain-Computer Interfaces – and Quantum Optimization, tackling complex Crew Scheduling problems. These aren’t theoretical exercises; the hackathon provides access to over 20 quantum backends – including IBM, IonQ, and IQM – along with €20,000 in compute credits, ensuring solutions are tested on actual quantum hardware.
Participants will leverage the Kipu Quantum Hub, a platform offering Algorithms-as-a-Service, hybrid DevOps tools, and AI-assisted learning. This infrastructure is designed to accelerate development and facilitate reproducible workflows blending quantum and classical computing. Crucially, the hackathon isn’t just about coding; teams are judged on innovation, technical execution, and the potential real-world impact of their solutions, aligning with Berlin’s broader quantum initiative to foster a thriving technology ecosystem.
Winning teams stand to gain substantial prizes – up to €9,000 in hardware credits – alongside mentorship from Kipu experts and networking opportunities with key industry and policy stakeholders. The event is free to attend, open to teams of 2-5 with basic Python programming skills, and emphasizes a collaborative spirit. The Berlin Senate views the hackathon as a vital step towards establishing Berlin as a leading international hub for quantum technologies, driving both research and practical application.
Kipu Quantum Hub: Tools & Ecosystem Access
The Kipu Quantum Hub serves as the foundational platform for the Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026, offering participants unparalleled access to the quantum ecosystem. Developers will leverage over 20 quantum backends—including those from IBM, IonQ, and IQM—alongside Algorithms-as-a-Service for optimization and machine learning. This isn’t simply access; it’s a complete development environment with hybrid DevOps tools enabling reproducible workflows blending classical and quantum compute, streamlining the entire process from coding to execution.
A key benefit of the Kipu Quantum Hub is its focus on accelerating development. Participants gain access to AI-assisted learning tools – including a code agent and quantum assistant – designed to rapidly prototype and refine quantum solutions. Beyond individual development, the Hub fosters collaboration through a shared marketplace of use cases and algorithms, allowing participants to build upon existing work. This collaborative environment, combined with cloud and local simulator access, promises fast iteration and impactful results.
The Hackathon, powered by the Kipu Quantum Hub, offers significant rewards. Winning teams can receive up to €9,000 in quantum hardware credits, travel stipends, and mentorship from Kipu experts. More than prizes, teams gain exposure to policymakers and industry leaders, with featured solutions showcased on the Hub and partner channels. This initiative directly supports the Berlin Senate’s vision of establishing the city as a leading international hotspot for quantum technologies, bridging research, startups, and practical applications.
Participant Eligibility, Team Requirements & Prizes
The Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026 welcomes teams of 2-5 members with strong programming skills, particularly in Python. While quantum computing experience is beneficial, it isn’t mandatory – eagerness to learn and apply quantum principles is key. A total of six teams will be selected to participate in the 6-week coding and mentorship program. Applications, free of charge, close on December 1st, with one application per team required – the team leader serving as the primary contact for organizers.
Participants will gain access to a robust development environment powered by the Kipu Quantum Hub, offering connectivity to 20+ quantum backends including IBM, IonQ, and Rigetti. Crucially, the hackathon challenges are rooted in real-world problems submitted by Berlin-based organizations, focusing on areas like Brain-Computer Interfaces and Crew Scheduling Optimization. This provides valuable experience translating theoretical quantum concepts into practical, scalable solutions with tangible industry impact.
A significant prize pool incentivizes participation: 1st place receives €9,000 in quantum hardware credits, 2nd place €6,000, and 3rd place €5,000. Beyond monetary rewards, all six selected teams will receive travel/accommodation stipends to attend the final event in Berlin, mentorship from Kipu experts, and exposure through Kipu Quantum and Berlin Partner communication channels. Judging criteria emphasize innovation, technical execution, real-world impact, and clarity of presentation.
Hackathon Timeline & Key Dates
The Berlin Quantum Hackathon 2026 kicks off with a call for applicants on November 18th, 2025, and closes submissions on December 1st, 2025. Following a week of team selection, onboarding to the Kipu Quantum Hub begins, providing access to 20+ quantum backends – including IBM, IonQ, and Rigetti. The intensive 6-week coding and mentorship phase then commences, culminating in project submissions in early February 2026. This timeline prioritizes rapid development and leverages expert guidance.
The hackathon’s core event runs from mid-February to March 5th, 2026. Project submissions are reviewed by an expert panel, followed by a final in-person pitch event at Change Hub Berlin. Six teams will be selected, receiving travel/accommodation budgets, mentorship, and potential hardware credits – up to €9,000 for first place. This concentrated timeframe encourages innovative solutions and real-world application of quantum algorithms.
Teams of 2-5 members are encouraged to apply, with programming skills (especially Python) being essential. While quantum experience is beneficial, it isn’t strictly required. The judging criteria emphasize innovation, technical execution, real-world impact, and scalability. This focus ensures that selected projects align with the Berlin Senate’s vision of establishing the capital as a leading quantum technology hub.
