Quantum computing company PASQAL, in partnership with Blaise Pascal Advisors, is hosting a hackathon named The Blaise Pascal [re]Generative Quantum Challenge. The competition, which offers €50,000 in prizes, aims to generate quantum-based solutions for sustainable energy transition. Participants will be asked to identify a use case related to environmental, social, human, or economic issues and find a sustainable solution through quantum computing. The hackathon will be held from October to November 2023. Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO of PASQAL, emphasised the role of technology companies in leading the charge towards sustainable energy transition.
Quantum Computing Company Announces Innovation Competition
PASQAL, a quantum computing company, has announced a hackathon to generate ideas for quantum-based solutions that can accelerate the sustainable energy transition. The competition, named The Blaise Pascal [re]Generative Quantum Challenge, is being held in honour of the 400th anniversary of the birth of French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal. The hackathon, launched in partnership with Blaise Pascal Advisors, will take place from October to November 2023 and offers €50,000 in prizes.
Participants in the challenge will be asked to identify a use case related to environmental, social, human, or economic issues, and find a sustainable solution through quantum computing to solve it. Use cases can range from health, industry, to AI. The aim of the hackathon is to prove that scientific and technical innovation based on quantum technologies can provide large-scale energy solutions today.
Quantum Computing and Sustainable Energy Transition
Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO of PASQAL, emphasised the need for technology companies to reassess the status quo to preserve the environment and succeed in our sustainable energy transition. He stated that quantum technology can be a tool at the service of the energy transition. The competition is a way to transmit PASQAL’s know-how and conviction that quantum computing can be applied to real use cases today.
PASQAL was founded in 2019 with a vision of industrial and commercial pragmatism to enable the concrete applications of quantum computing. The company has developed a technology that has proven its upside in many sectors and provides real applications for enterprise. By placing innovative projects in this challenge, PASQAL aims to unlock the potential of quantum, by making a decisive contribution to the proof of quantum’s impact and sustainable energy.
The Competition and Prizes
The competition will bring together an exceptional jury, including Florent Menegaux, Chairman of the Michelin Group, Frederic Magniez, Director of Research at CNRS, and Etienne de Rocquigny, Founder of Blaise Pascal Advisors, among others. The €50,000 in prizes will be allocated via several categories, with the first prize being €15,000, the second prize €10,000, and the third prize €5,000.
Pre-registration will be open from July 20, 2023 leading up to the hackathon on October 5, 2023. The competition will end on November 15, 2023 with an “online demo day”. This will be followed by an awards event on November 28, 2023 during which speeches, conferences and round tables will also take place.
PASQAL is a pioneer in quantum computing and was founded in 2019. Today, PASQAL is a leading company in quantum technology in Europe and aims to become a world leader, in particular by developing a quantum computer with 1,000 qubits in the short term. The company has secured more than €140 million in funding and relies on a team of more than 170 employees. The company has 25 customers worldwide, including Thales, Airbus, EDF, RTE, BMW, Johnson & Johnson and Siemens.
Blaise Pascal Advisors is an advisory firm of entrepreneurs and executives to put tech at the service of strategy and meaning. It was founded by Etienne de Rocquigny, mathematician and entrepreneur, former Vice-Dean of Research at Centrale Paris. Blaise Pascal Advisors has accompanied more than forty algorithmic and pivotal entrepreneurial adventures with impact.
“At a time when there is consensus that we need to reassess the status quo to preserve the environment and succeed in our sustainable energy transition, technology companies must lead the charge,”
Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO of PASQAL
“If enthusiasts remember how much computer science owes to Blaise Pascal through the invention of Pascaline and probabilities, very few know that he was an incredible serial entrepreneur, much more passionate about the concrete impact of his innovations. A bet lived in integral coherence between the scientist and the philosopher, thus giving a deep meaning to his companies in the service of the challenges of his time. Nothing should prevent us from daring in its name the best with quantum breakthrough, by redoubling our requirements on the concrete demonstration of energy benefits and impact,” — Etienne de Rocquigny, Founder of Blaise Pascal Advisors.
Executive Summary
PASQAL, a quantum computing company, is honouring the 400th anniversary of French mathematician Blaise Pascal’s birth by launching a hackathon, The Blaise Pascal [re]Generative Quantum Challenge, aimed at generating quantum-based solutions for sustainable energy transition. The competition, running from October to November 2023, invites students, researchers and innovators to identify a use case related to environmental, social, human, or economic issues and find a sustainable solution through quantum computing, with €50,000 in prizes up for grabs.
- Quantum computing company PASQAL, in partnership with Blaise Pascal Advisors, is hosting a hackathon named The Blaise Pascal [re]Generative Quantum Challenge. The competition is dedicated to generating quantum-based solutions for sustainable energy transition.
- The competition, which offers €50,000 in prizes, is open to students, researchers, and innovators. Participants are expected to identify a use case related to environmental, social, human, or economic issues and find a sustainable solution through quantum computing.
- The hackathon will be held from October to November 2023, with pre-registration already open. The competition aims to prove that quantum technologies can provide large-scale energy solutions today.
- The jury includes Florent Menegaux, Chairman of the Michelin Group; Frederic Magniez, Director of Research at CNRS; Etienne de Rocquigny, Founder of Blaise Pascal Advisors; Etienne Klein, Research Director at the CEA; Kristel Michielsen, Founder of EMBD; and Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO of PASQAL.
- PASQAL, founded in 2019, is a pioneer in quantum computing and aims to become a world leader in the field. The company has secured more than €140 million in funding and has 25 customers worldwide, including Thales, Airbus, EDF, RTE, BMW, Johnson & Johnson, and Siemens.
