Early-stage quantum ventures have until November 20 to apply for a pitch competition offering a combined $150,000 in funding at the Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit. Organized by Duality, a quantum accelerator led by the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center, the contest will award $100,000 to a first-place winner, split between a $50,000 SAFE investment and $50,000 non-dilutive funding, and $50,000 to the runner-up. The competition specifically targets pre-seed or seed stage companies that have raised less than $5 million USD, offering finalists exposure to investors and a live pitch opportunity on December 8 at the Chicago event.
Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit Competition Details and $150K Prize Pool
Finalists in the Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit Pitch Competition will present their work live on December 8, 2026, offering an extended preparation period for startups seeking investment and visibility. The competition, organized by Duality and several partner institutions, provides a platform for early-stage companies to connect with a dedicated jury and a global audience of potential investors. This extended timeline contrasts with many pitch competitions that offer only weeks between application and final presentations, allowing for more thorough preparation and refinement of business plans.
The $150,000 prize pool is structured to provide both immediate capital and long-term investment potential, with the first-place winner receiving $100,000 split between a $50,000 SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) investment and $50,000 in non-dilutive funding. Second place will receive a $50,000 non-dilutive prize, providing financial support without immediate equity exchange.
This blended approach acknowledges the varying needs of startups at the pre-seed and seed stages, providing both runway and the potential for future growth through investment. Duality Quantum Photonics, a UK-based company designing photonic processors for quantum computing, exemplifies this early-stage innovation; founded in 2020, it manufactures thin-film lithium niobate processors with a fabrication facility in Southampton, the company says.
Duality’s work with the UK Atomic Energy Authority, demonstrating photonic processors detecting hotspots in fusion magnets, highlights the practical applications of the technology. This partnership with Tokamak Energy, where Dr. Rod Bateman of TE Magnetics contributed to the results, demonstrates the potential for photonic quantum computing to address challenges in other advanced fields.
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