Clemson Quantum

About

SC Quantathon v3 is being brought to Clemson University as it's inaugural quantum computing hackathon, hosted by the Clemson Quantum Club. Over the course of 48 hours, teams of up to five will tackle real-world challenges using quantum computing platforms, compete for prizes, and learn from industry mentors.

Whether you're a seasoned quantum programmer or writing your first quantum circuit, the Quantathon is designed to be accessible and exciting. Workshops, mentorship, and food will be provided so every participant can hit the ground running.

Join students from across the Southeast — and beyond — for a weekend of innovation at the intersection of computer science, physics, and engineering.

Key Details

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Dates

September 25 – 27, 2026

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Location

WAP
Clemson University

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Team Size

1 – 5 members

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Eligibility

Undergraduate & graduate students

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Format

In-person

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Cost

Free — meals & swag included

Schedule

Day 1 — Friday, September 25

3:00 PM	Check-in & registration
4:00 PM	Opening ceremony & keynote speaker
5:00 PM	Challenge tracks revealed
5:30 PM	Team formation & brainstorming
6:30 PM	Dinner
7:30 PM	Hacking begins!

Day 2 — Saturday, September 26

8:00 AM	Breakfast
9:00 AM	Workshop: Intro to Quantum Circuits
10:30 AM	Workshop: [PLACEHOLDER — Sponsor Workshop]
12:00 PM	Lunch & networking
1:00 PM	Mentor office hours
3:00 PM	Mid-hackathon check-in
6:00 PM	Dinner
9:00 PM	Late-night snacks & coding

Day 3 — Sunday, September 27

8:00 AM	Breakfast
10:00 AM	Hacking ends — submissions due
10:30 AM	Team presentations & demos
12:30 PM	Judging deliberation & lunch
1:30 PM	Awards ceremony & closing

Challenge Tracks

Quantum Machine Learning

Apply quantum computing to real-world machine learning problems. Explore variational classifiers, quantum kernels, and hybrid quantum-classical models to push the boundaries of AI.

Quantum Chemistry & Simulation

Simulate molecular systems and chemical reactions on quantum hardware. Tackle drug discovery, materials science, or energy optimization using quantum algorithms.

Open Innovation

Build whatever inspires you. Quantum games, cryptography tools, optimization solvers, educational apps — surprise us with your creativity and technical skill.

Quantum Hardware & Devices

Work hands-on with quantum hardware, develop device control software, or create new tools for benchmarking and error mitigation. Push the limits of what today's quantum devices can do.