MIT's 7th Annual Quantum Hackathon Nurtures Next Generation of Quantum Enthusiasts

iQuHACK challenges students to solve real-world quantum computing problems in just 72 hours

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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MIT's 7th annual quantum hackathon, iQuHACK, brought together over 400 students from U.S. universities and 1,000 virtual participants from 76 countries to tackle quantum computing challenges posed by 15 major industry sponsors. With only three days to compete, teams worked around the clock to develop solutions using quantum hardware and simulators, showcasing their work to a panel of judges at the end. The event highlighted the growing interest and potential in quantum computing, as well as the need to nurture the next generation of quantum experts.

Why it matters

As quantum computing moves closer to practical applications, events like iQuHACK play a crucial role in developing the future workforce and exposing students to the real-world challenges in this emerging field. By partnering with industry leaders, the hackathon provides hands-on experience and mentorship that can help launch careers in quantum technology.

The details

During iQuHACK, teams chose from challenges designed by the 15 sponsor companies, which included tasks like optimizing quantum circuits, modeling quantum error correction, and simulating quantum network dynamics. Participants utilized quantum hardware and GPU-based simulators to tackle these problems, working in roles that mimicked a real R&D pipeline. The event culminated in team presentations to a panel of judges, with prizes awarded for the top solutions in each challenge.

  • iQuHACK ran from January 30 to February 1, 2026.
  • The final results were announced on February 1, 2026 at the Stata Center.

The players

Danna Freedman

QMIT Faculty Director and Professor of Chemistry at MIT, one of iQuHACK's keynote speakers.

Om Joshi

iQuHACK Director and graduate student at MIT.

Pedro Lopes

Quantum scientist and lead educator at QuEra, who served as a mentor for the event.

Felix Antoine

Second-year undergraduate student from the University of École de Technologie Supérieure in Montreal, Canada, competing in his first quantum hackathon.

Abrar Faiyaz

PhD student from Clemson University who had previously won an iQuHACK challenge in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The goal of iQuHACK has always been to give undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about the near-term challenges and applications of quantum computing hardware.”

— Om Joshi, iQuHACK Director

“Certain instructions are more expensive than others, and there's multiple ways to break it down. So the challenge today is about breaking a program into [more] cheaper instructions and fewer of the expensive ones.”

— Abrar Faiyaz, PhD student, Clemson University

“I actually didn't go into this with a prospect of winning at all. I think, for me, it was more about learning something new because quantum is such a relative[ly small] field that it's hard for computer scientists without a physics background to get into.”

— Aanya Bhandari, Senior undergraduate, University of Florida

“I like the city, I like the campus, and I like being surrounded by a lot of intelligent people who have a lot of good ideas and are working towards the same goal.”

— John Layton, PhD student, Clemson University

“In the real world, it's quite probable that the source of noise is unknown, so hopefully there'll be ways to more dynamically test and swap protocols in real-time.”

— Allen Wu, Undergraduate, Harvard University

What’s next

The judges will evaluate the team presentations and announce the overall winners of iQuHACK 2026 in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Events like iQuHACK are crucial for nurturing the next generation of quantum experts, providing hands-on experience and exposure to real-world challenges in this rapidly evolving field. By partnering with industry leaders, the hackathon helps bridge the gap between academia and practical quantum applications, preparing students for careers in this exciting frontier of technology.