3–5 December | Tallinn, Estonia & Online

Be part of the first wave

Quantum computing is moving from hype to real business applications. QEst Hack brings together companies + students + mentors to learn and experiment.

We are inviting mentors to join this quest, whether your expertise is in quantum programming or in framing business problems as quantum algorithms.

The hackathon consists of two quests: solving a known optimization problem (First 24h) and working on a company problem (Second 24h)

What’s in it for you?

✨ Shape how companies in the Baltic Sea region take their first quantum steps
✨ Expand your network (companies, students, researchers, other mentors)
✨ Have fun and learn while working on real challenges
✨ Be recognized as a pioneer in Europe’s growing quantum ecosystem

Mentor roles

👩‍💻 Quantum Programming Mentors (1^st and 2^nd quest)
Help teams crack a known optimization problem with quantum tools. Debug, coach, and keep the energy up as teams start coding their own business problems.

🧑‍🏫 Scoping Mentors (2^nd quest)
The target is to help companies to take first steps and try something. Work with companies to turn their “what if?” ideas into well-defined computational problems that are suited for quantum algorithms. Translate messy business cases into math models and first code steps. The scoping work begins with the team one week prior to the hackathon. We are realistic. Giving direction and inspiration can be done in 24 hours. Working quantum algorithms take 12-24 months to develop, not 24 hours.

Your commitment (you choose!)

⏱️ Light: 1–2h online + 1 hour pre-event for mentors
⚡ Medium: 3–6h across hackathon days + 3 x 1h pre-events for mentors
🚀 Full: One full day on-site (including mentor lunches and dinners 🎉) + 3h pre-events
🌟 All-in: 3 days on-site with full immersion in the hackathon spirit, good food 🍽️, and inspiring discussions 🔥+ 3h pre-events

The hackathon timetable

The event starts 15:00 on 3 Dec and lasts until 15:00 5 Dec (GMT+3)

Mentors are not needed all the time during the event.

We have three pre-events for mentors. One for programming mentors (27^th Nov) and two more for scoping mentors.

Below are the times you are needed.

Pre-events for mentors

• 5 Nov: Training on scoping business problems (1h, scoping mentors)
• 21 Nov–2 Dec: Mentoring a company on scoping (1h, scoping mentors)
• 27 Nov: Preparation for guiding the optimization challenge (1h, all mentors)

Hackathon timeline for mentors (GMT+3)

• 3 Dec: Kickoff with mentors 18:00–21:00
• 4 Dec: Workday 9:00–12:00 and 14:00–21:00
• 5 Dec: Final sprint and wrap-up 9:30–13:00

Who we are looking for

• At least two years of active quantum programming experience
• An academic background in quantum is a plus
• For scoping mentors: experience in translating business problems into mathematical formulations

Why QEst Hack?

QEst Hack is inspired and supported by the Quantum Institute of Sherbrooke (Canada), the city of Sherbrooke, IBM Finland, IQM, Hanken School of Economics, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia. It is the first hackathon in Estonia fully dedicated to quantum and business problems.

📩 For further questions, write us at quantum@metrosert.ee