November 13–15, 2026 · Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee Quantum Hackathon
Where quantum meets real-world challenges.
Participant applications are open for students. Tell us about your background, interests, and team status so we can help you get connected before the event.
Join the Hackathon
Quantum computing
Cybersecurity
Grid resilience
Quantum networking
Chattanooga
Event partners
Built with partners across Tennessee’s quantum ecosystem.
01 / The challenge
Bring together quantum, software, engineering, business, and design talent. Give them a real problem. See what they can build in one weekend.
The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon is an interdisciplinary competition for students who are ready to explore practical quantum applications.
Who
Quantum-curious students across all disciplines.
How
Apply with a full team, an incomplete team, or on your own. Pre-event matchmaking will help participants connect across disciplines before the hackathon begins.
What
Teams will move from prep sessions to the hackathon weekend, then present their work to judges for feedback, awards, and next-step opportunities.
02 / Before the weekend
Prep starts before you arrive.
Bootcamp
Participants will be strongly encouraged to join prep sessions led by qBraid beginning approximately four weeks before the hackathon. These sessions will help teams build shared context around quantum concepts, tools, and challenge areas.
Team support
The prep period is designed to help participants form teams, explore disciplines beyond their own, and get more comfortable with the technical and practical sides of quantum innovation.
Event flow
The basic flow is simple: join the bootcamp, arrive for the hackathon weekend, build with your team, then present your work during final judging.
03 / Join the community
Build your team before the weekend.
Tennessee Quantum Hackathon Discord.
Soon, you'll be able to join the participant community to meet potential teammates, receive event announcements, access prep-session information, and ask questions before the hackathon.
Discord coming soon.Find teammates
Introduce yourself, share your skills, and connect with participants from other disciplines.
Prepare together
Get bootcamp reminders, platform guidance, helpful resources, and challenge-area updates.
Stay updated
Receive schedule changes, event announcements, logistical details, and answers from the organizing team.
04 / The weekend
From challenge to pitch in a weekend.
Friday
Kickoff, keynote, networking, final team formation, and challenge release.
Saturday
Workshops, mentor support, and all-day building.
Sunday
Final submissions, team presentations, judging, and awards.
05 / Why Chattanooga
Quantum infrastructure is taking shape here. This is where the next generation gets to use it.
Chattanooga’s growing quantum ecosystem allows you to connect with researchers, companies, mentors, and real-world infrastructure.
This weekend is designed to make quantum tangible: less theory in isolation, more teamwork around problems that matter.
06 / Common questions
You don’t need to be a quantum expert.
Can I participate without quantum experience?
Yes. Teams benefit from software, engineering, data, design, product, and business skills. Bootcamp-style prep sessions will help participants prepare before the event.
Why is there a participant application?
The application helps the organizing team understand your background, interests, team status, and goals for the weekend. It also helps us support team formation, prep sessions, and challenge alignment before the event.
Are prep sessions required?
The prep sessions are strongly recommended, especially for participants who are newer to quantum. They will begin approximately four weeks before the hackathon.
Do I need a team before applying?
No. You may apply alone, with part of a team, or with a complete team. Join the participant Discord to meet other participants, share your skills, and form an interdisciplinary team before the event.
What will the Discord be used for?
The Discord will be the main pre-event community space for team formation, prep-session updates, participant questions, announcements, and event resources.
What will teams create?
Teams will develop and present a solution concept, prototype, model, or technical approach responding to the event challenge.
Where will the event take place?
The hackathon will be hosted in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Final venue and arrival details will be shared with participants.
07 / Join the hackathon
Ready
to build?
Participant applications are open for the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon. The form helps us learn more about your skills, interests, team status, and what you hope to build so we can support a strong participant experience.
Start your application You can apply solo, with part of a team, or with a complete team.