Chattanooga to Host Tennessee Quantum Hackathon

Rhea-AI Summary

Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative announced that applications are open for the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon, a 36-hour innovation challenge hosted by The Company Lab (CO.LAB) with CQC and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from November 13–15, 2026 in Chattanooga.

College students from multiple disciplines will form teams to explore how quantum technologies could address challenges in the electric power sector. Partners including UTC, EPB, Tennessee Valley Authority, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), and Quantinuum (NASDAQ: QNT) will provide expertise, mentoring and evaluation. Participants will use the qBraid cloud platform to develop and test quantum solutions. According to organizers, the event builds on a $1.33 million National Science Foundation planning grant to UTC for a QuantumGrid Innovation Hub focused on a more secure and resilient electric power grid.

Market Context

Insider context recorded Net Buying over the analyzed period, adding an ownership signal to this eco...

Analysis

Insider context recorded Net Buying over the analyzed period, adding an ownership signal to this ecosystem-development announcement. The platform record also shows mixed historical reactions, warranting attention to whether collaboration produces measurable commercial progress.

Key Figures

Hackathon duration: 36 hours Event dates: November 13–15 Projected sector value: as much as $150 billion by 2035 +1 more

4 metrics

Hackathon duration 36 hours Tennessee Quantum Hackathon

Event dates November 13–15 Chattanooga hackathon

Projected sector value as much as $150 billion by 2035 Global electric power sector quantum computing opportunity

Planning grant $1.33 million National Science Foundation grant awarded to UTC

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jul 22 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jul 22	Leadership appointments	Neutral	+2.9%	Two senior executives were appointed, followed by a 2.88% 24-hour gain.
Jul 21	Quantum white paper	Neutral	-6.3%	Joint conceptual white paper publication preceded a 6.32% 24-hour decline.
Jul 14	Industrial computing agreement	Positive	+4.0%	Multi-year industrial quantum computing agreement preceded a 3.96% 24-hour gain.
Jul 01	Leveraged ETF launch	Neutral	-4.1%	Leveraged QNT ETF launch preceded a 4.07% 24-hour decline.
Jun 26	Leveraged ETF announcement	Neutral	+5.4%	Planned leveraged ETF announcement preceded a 5.43% 24-hour gain.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Across the five selected news events, QNT showed three aligned reactions and two divergences, indicating mixed post-news behavior.

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Applications Open for 36-Hour Innovation Challenge Exploring Quantum Opportunities in the Energy Sector

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Applications are now open for the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon hosted by The Company Lab (CO.LAB) in partnership with the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative (CQC) and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). The 36-hour innovation challenge will take place November 13–15 in Chattanooga.

College students from a range of disciplines will work in teams to explore how quantum technologies could help address complex challenges facing the electric power sector.

According to the McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor 2026, quantum computing could create as much as $150 billion in value for the global electric power sector by 2035. With Tennessee's strengths in energy, quantum research, quantum infrastructure, advanced computing, and entrepreneurship, organizers see an opportunity to engage emerging talent in exploring how the state's energy sector could help realize some of that potential.

The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon brings together partners from across Tennessee's growing quantum ecosystem, including higher education, research institutions, utilities and quantum technology companies. Organizations including UTC, EPB, Tennessee Valley Authority, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) and Quantinuum (NASDAQ:QNT) are helping shape the experience by contributing expertise, perspectives and opportunities for participants to engage with the people advancing quantum technologies across the state.

"Innovation accelerates when people with different perspectives tackle the same challenge," said Tasia Malakasis, CEO of The Company Lab. "The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon brings students, researchers, and industry leaders together around a real opportunity for Tennessee."

Throughout the weekend, participants will work on challenge statements inspired by opportunities in the electric power sector while engaging with researchers, entrepreneurs, utility leaders and quantum technology experts. Partners are expected to contribute in a variety of ways, from helping shape challenge statements and sharing technical expertise to mentoring teams, evaluating final presentations and supporting participants as they explore quantum technologies.

Participants will build and test their solutions using qBraid, a cloud-based quantum development platform that provides a common environment for programming, simulation and access to quantum computing resources. The platform allows participants to experiment with quantum software development tools and, where available, quantum hardware while receiving guidance from technical experts throughout the competition.

"The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon creates another point of connection within work that is already happening across our state," said Charlie Brock, CEO of the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative. "Researchers, entrepreneurs, utilities, universities and quantum companies each bring different strengths to Tennessee's quantum future. This event creates an opportunity for participants to learn alongside those organizations, contribute fresh ideas and experience firsthand what collaboration looks like in a rapidly growing field."

Previous experience with quantum computing is not required. Organizers are recruiting participants studying computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, energy, business, entrepreneurship, marketing and other disciplines that contribute to solving complex problems.

The event builds on growing collaboration across Tennessee's quantum community and is funded in part by a $1.33 million National Science Foundation planning grant awarded to UTC to develop a blueprint for a QuantumGrid Innovation Hub. CQC, CO.LAB and EPB are partners in the effort, which is exploring how quantum technologies could contribute to a more secure and resilient electric power grid.

Applications are now being accepted from participants registering independently or as part of a team.

Visit the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon webpage to learn more or apply.

About The Company Lab

The Company Lab (CO.LAB) is a place-based entrepreneurial support organization accelerating startups in Chattanooga's industries of strength: energy, mobility, and quantum. By connecting founders with the region's world-class infrastructure, real-world testbeds, industry expertise, capital, and corporate partners, CO.LAB helps startups validate and scale emerging technologies while advancing corporate innovation priorities. Through this work, CO.LAB strengthens the regional economy and positions Chattanooga as a national hub for commercializing the technologies shaping our future.

About Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative

The Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative (CQC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a robust quantum ecosystem in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, and beyond. By leveraging quantum resources and mobilizing diverse partnerships for the benefit of the region's people, businesses, and communities, the CQC aims to drive workforce development, economic growth, and technology advancement in the quantum sector. For more information about the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, visit www.ChattanoogaQuantum.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chattanooga-to-host-tennessee-quantum-hackathon-302835474.html

SOURCE Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative

FAQ

What is the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon 2026 being held in Chattanooga?

The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon is a 36-hour student innovation challenge in Chattanooga focused on quantum solutions for the electric power sector. According to organizers, it runs November 13–15, 2026 and connects students with researchers, utilities and quantum technology companies.

When and where will the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon 2026 take place?

The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon will be held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from November 13–15, 2026. According to Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, the 36-hour event gathers students, researchers, utilities and quantum companies to tackle electric power sector challenges using quantum technologies.

How are Quantinuum (NASDAQ: QNT) and IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) involved in the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon?

Quantinuum (QNT) and IonQ (IONQ) are among organizations helping shape the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon experience. According to organizers, they contribute expertise, perspectives and engagement opportunities as part of Tennessee’s growing quantum ecosystem focused on the electric power sector.

Who can apply to participate in the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon 2026?

College students from diverse disciplines, including computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, energy, business and marketing, can apply. According to organizers, no prior quantum computing experience is required and participants may register independently or as part of a team.

What quantum tools will participants use during the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon in Chattanooga?

Participants will use qBraid, a cloud-based quantum development platform for programming, simulation and access to quantum resources. According to organizers, qBraid enables experimentation with quantum software tools and, where available, quantum hardware under guidance from technical experts.

What is the $1.33 million NSF grant related to the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon?

The event builds on a $1.33 million National Science Foundation planning grant awarded to UTC. According to Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, the grant supports planning a QuantumGrid Innovation Hub exploring how quantum technologies could strengthen the security and resilience of the electric power grid.

How does the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon support Tennessee’s quantum and energy sectors?

The hackathon connects students with universities, utilities, national labs and quantum companies to address electric power challenges. According to organizers, it leverages Tennessee’s strengths in energy, quantum research and infrastructure while supporting workforce development and collaboration across the state’s quantum ecosystem.