Quantum Innovation Summit 2026 Algorithm Design Competition
- Delivered through the VerneX quantum platform
- Applications managed via the VerneX Competition App
- Part of Global Quantum Week 2026 and delivered during the Quantum Innovation Summit 2026
Overview
The Quantum Innovation Summit 2026 Algorithm Design Competition is a curated, industrial-grade competition focused on translating real industrial challenges into structured, quantum-ready algorithmic designs.
The Competition uses two digital layers:
- VerneX Competition App for applications, team registration, communications, and submissions administration.
- VerneX quantum platform, powered by Classiq as the technical working environment where teams develop and document their Algorithm Design Dossiers using standardised templates
The Competition culminates in the selection of three finalists who present live during the Summit, followed by jury dialogue and formal recognition.
Strategic value
As quantum technologies move closer to implementation, the decisive bottleneck is often formulation: translating high-value industrial challenges into clear algorithmic problem statements with defined objectives, constraints, assumptions, and feasibility logic that can be reviewed and compared.
This Competition strengthens that translation layer through disciplined design workflows on the VerneX quantum platform, producing standardised Algorithm Design Dossiers that support credible technical assessment and practical follow-up discussion, without relying on performance claims.
What this delivers
Clear problem translation from industrial intent to quantum-ready formulation
Constraints and assumptions captured in a structured, reviewable format
Feasibility and scalability reasoning that supports decision quality
Execution pathway mapping expressed in hardware-agnostic terms
A shared foundation for technical dialogue and next-step planning
How it works
Step 1: Apply and register through the VerneX Competition App
Teams submit applications, confirm team composition, and receive programme communications through the Competition App.
Step 2: Work and document inside the VerneX quantum platform
Approved teams receive access to the VerneX quantum platform, powered by Classiq, where they build the Algorithm Design Dossier using templates and checkpoints.
Step 3: Submit and lock the dossier in VerneX, confirm via the Competition App
Dossiers are locked in the platform by the submission deadline. Submission confirmation and communications are managed through the Competition App.
What participants will produce
Each team submits one complete Algorithm Design Dossier through the VerneX quantum platform. The dossier includes, at minimum:
Industrial framing and decision context
Objective function and variable definitions
Constraints register with priorities and boundary conditions
Assumptions register with feasibility and scalability implications
Candidate formulation set with rationale
Quantum suitability and approach selection
Feasibility reasoning and scalability logic
Execution pathway mapping expressed in hardware-agnostic terms
System integration touchpoints at design level
Next step roadmap for technical follow-up discussion
Use cases
Thales provides one to three industrial problem statements framed at an algorithmic level, supported by a constraints pack and success criteria. Problem statements are defined at an abstraction level suitable for expert formulation and engineering reasoning.
Working environment and validation
All algorithm design work products are created and documented through the VerneX quantum platform, powered by Classiq, using structured templates and uniform checkpoints.
Consistency checks are performed through simulators and approved software frameworks. Formulations are expressed in hardware-agnostic terms suitable for multiple execution pathways.
Who should apply
Participation is curated to ensure industrial relevance and high-quality outputs.
Recommended participant profiles include:
Quantum algorithm engineers
Optimisation and operations research specialists
Applied mathematicians and computational scientists
Optimisation and operations research specialists
Quantum software engineers and hybrid quantum–classical practitioners
University labs and spin-outs with algorithm design capability
Multidisciplinary teams combining domain expertise and algorithm formulation strength
Recommended team size: 3–6 participants.
Summit Delivery Format
The Competition unfolds across the Quantum Innovation Summit 2026 programme, structured as a three-day arc combining technical development, expert mentoring, evaluation, and public recognition.
Day 1 | 28 September 2026
Kickoff briefing, use-case clarifications, platform onboarding checkpoint, dossier development begins, and mentoring clinics open.
Day 2 | 29 September 2026
Algorithm development continues, structured validation checks take place, and final dossier submissions are locked for jury evaluation.
Day 3 | 30 September 2026
Finalist walkthroughs, jury dialogue, outcomes announcement, and formal recognition within the Summit programme.
Judging criteria
Scoring uses a 1 to 5 scale per criterion and a weighted total of 100 points.
- Industrial framing and translation quality (10)
- Formulation rigour and objective function quality (15)
- Constraints engineering and assumptions discipline (15)
- Quantum suitability and approach selection rationale (15)
- Feasibility reasoning and scalability logic (10)
- Execution pathway mapping coherence (15)
- System integration and operational touchpoints (10)
- Assurance and governance readiness inputs (5)
- Documentation quality and presentation clarity (5)
Tie-breaker priority: constraints discipline, feasibility reasoning, execution pathway coherence.
The jury and review panel include senior industrial system architects, applied research leads, and assurance specialists. Mentors and technical commentators support teams through structured clinics on formulation, constraints engineering, and feasibility mapping.
- Three finalists selected through the scoring rubric and jury consolidation
- Live finalist walkthroughs during the Summit
- Formal recognition moment for finalists and winner
- Controlled outcomes brief focused on design maturity insights
- Optional follow-up technical discussions, subject to separate alignment and written instruments
The Competition is delivered as a three step arc across the Summit programme, designed to give teams visibility, rigorous review, and a clear recognition moment.
Finalists and Winner
- Three finalist teams will be selected through the jury evaluation process and invited to present concise walkthroughs of their algorithmic solutions on the EXPO Stage on 29 September 2026.
- Finalists will showcase their Algorithm Design Dossiers, presenting the problem formulation, constraints architecture, and feasibility logic developed during the Competition.
- One winning team will be selected based on the consolidated jury evaluation.
- The winning team will receive formal recognition during the Quantum Innovation Summit Gala Dinner Awards on 30 September 2026, marking the closing recognition moment of the Competition.
Intellectual property and safeguards
- IP rights follow the Terms of Use of Vernex Quantum Platform
- Submissions do not imply exploitation rights for any party.
- Any continuation such as proof of concept, pilot, or collaboration requires separate written instruments and approvals.
- No sensitive operational data shall be shared.
- The Competition is not a hardware benchmark and does not include performance claims.
Apply to participate
Applications are managed via the
VerneX Competition App.
For participation enquiries
info@vernewellgroup.com
More information
quantuminnovationsummit.com
