What’s It All About: A First Look at the GenQ Hackathon Experience

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Are you wondering what actually happens at a Quantum Hackathon? How do you build a team, pick a challenge, and end up pitching on stage by Sunday night?

The GenQ Hackathon, part of the Global Hackathon Series 2025 by QAI Ventures, is more than a coding sprint. It’s a launchpad for fresh ideas, global talent, and real-world solutions powered by QuantumAI. Whether you’re a student, researcher, developer, or early-stage founder, the hackathon is designed to give you everything you need to move from idea to impact - in one intense, fun, and collaborative weekend.

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Let us give you a first overview and also add the personal perspective from Claudia Fricker, participant and member of the winning team of the 2024 edition in Calgary, to learn what the GenQ Hackathon is really like from the inside.

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Haven't signed up yet for the GenQ Hackathon 2025? Let's get you registered: genq.tech

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Friday: Kick-off, Keynote & Team Matchmaking

The weekend starts on Friday with an official opening session, where QAI Ventures set the tone for the days ahead. You’ll hear from a keynote speaker, meet your mentors, and get a quick walkthrough of the agenda.

Then the magic begins: over dinner and informal networking, you’ll meet other participants, form teams if you haven’t already (we’ll provide access to the community on slack beforehand), and choose the challenge you want to work on.

No team? No problem. Many participants arrive solo and find their match on-site. Whether you're into quantum algorithms, UX design, data storytelling, or product building, the GenQ team will help you find the right crew to tackle a real-world SDG challenge.

Saturday: Build, Test, Learn – and Hack

Saturday is all about hacking, with our support. What makes GenQ different is its focus on learning and mentoring. You’ll get to work with international experts from the quantum and startup world, including mentors from business, marketing, and technical fields.

Claudia described the experience as “a unique opportunity to apply what you know and stretch into what you don’t, with the best sparring partners by your side.”

Throughout the day, there’ll be technical tutorials, challenge briefings, and hands-on coaching to help move your ideas forward. And yes, there will be snacks. Lots of them.

Sunday: Pitch Like a Pro – and Bring Your Crew

By Sunday, it’s time to pitch. The afternoon kicks off with a preliminary pitch round for each challenge, where teams present their prototypes and get feedback. In your jury will be experts and mentors who give you constructive feedback. The best teams are selected to pitch in the finals the same day: live on stage, in front of a jury of partners, researchers, investors and many guests.

But it’s not just about winning. “You share your learnings, your approach, and your failures,” Claudia says. “Everyone in the room learns from each other.”

That evening, we open the doors for the Final Pitch Ceremony, and you’re invited to bring your friends and peers along! Whether they’re curious about QuantumAI or just want to support your journey, this is the moment to show them what QuantumAI can do.

So, what do you need to join?

All you need to bring is your curiosity, ideas, and willingness to collaborate. You don’t need to be a quantum expert, just show up ready to learn and contribute.

We’ll handle the rest: Financial travel support for out-of-town participants, food and drinks to keep you energized, overnight working & sleeping space if needed, and a full program of tutorials, mentorship, and challenge briefings.

And most importantly, you’ll join a community that’s here to build and cheer each other on.

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What’s at Stake?

Besides the experience and connections, there’s more to win. 

• One finalist team from all Hackathon Hubs (Calgary, Geneva, Singapore) will pitch at SWITCH Singapore on October 29, one of Asia’s largest innovation and tech gatherings

• The Golden Ticket to get fast-tracked for the QAI Ventures Accelerator 
• And many more prizes for the winners in the different Locations

Applications are open now. Learn more and apply at genq.tech

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