A total prize pool of $150,000 will be awarded to 10 early-stage quantum or quantum-enabling startups during the Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit Pitch Competition, a centerpiece of the second annual Midwest Quantum Week, the company says. The events, focused on the Illinois-Wisconsin-Indiana region, aim to connect startups with employers and educate the broader business community. On December 7, the Quantum Recruiting Forum at mHUB and the Quantum Developer Day hosted by qBraid will bring together job seekers and technical sessions.
The Union League Club of Chicago’s Tech Group will partner with Qampus Clubs to host a roundtable on practical quantum literacy. Hosted by QC Ware and the Chicago Quantum Exchange, Q2B x Chicago Quantum Summit will be held December 8-10 at the Marriott Marquis Chicago and McCormick Place.
Q2B & Chicago Quantum Summit Anchor Midwest Quantum Week 2026
The Boeing Quantum Creators Prize will culminate in presentations at Q2B x Chicago Quantum Summit, recognizing early-career researchers for contributions to quantum information science and engineering. Researchers seeking recognition through the Boeing Quantum Creators Prize faced a September 18, 2026 deadline to submit their work; the program aims to highlight novel directions in the field and provide a platform for emerging talent. Winners will present their findings at the summit, offering attendees and peers a glimpse into the future of quantum research.
Beyond recognizing established work, Midwest Quantum Week is designed to encourage connections between emerging quantum companies and potential employers. The Quantum Recruiting Forum, held December 7 at mHUB, will bring together hundreds of students and postdoctoral researchers with quantum employers through a career fair and individual meetings.
Simultaneously, qBraid will host the Quantum Developer Day at the Aon Center, focusing on practical quantum applications with technical sessions and live demonstrations of quantum hardware. This scheduling on December 7 streamlines opportunities for both job seekers and technical specialists to engage directly with industry leaders.
These startups will showcase their innovations before a dedicated jury and a global audience at the Chicago Marriott Marquis on December 8. Event materials state, “The program is part of an event series designed to help equip the broader Chicagoland business community with practical quantum literacy across the entire QIST spectrum so they can begin envisioning quantum-driven applications relevant to their sectors.”
See today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.
