Spanish Banco Santander offers startups and scaleups operating in quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) segments a chance to win a share of €120,000 prize fund, strategic mentoring from IBM experts, and up to €10,000 in specialised services from Bluzec acceleration platform.
Santander has launched Santander X Global Challenge | The Quantum AI Leap, acceleration program developed in collaboration with IBM, Bluzec and Oxentia Foundation. Eligible startup and scaleup companies dealing with quantum computing and AI technologies from Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the United States, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Uruguay can apply to participate in the initiative until 30 June via the Santander X platform.
The Global Challenge accelerator offers three different application sectors:
- Technologies that help to develop and scale quantum systems, i.e. advanced hardware or AI tools that enhance quantum performance and stability.
- Combination of quantum computing and AI for real-world problems solutions, focused on the development of software, algorithms and applications with short- and medium-term impact.
- Quantum-resistant technologies that protect digital systems against the risk posed by future, cryptographically relevant quantum computing threats.
Firms that apply and participate in the challenge can receive financial and advisory support from Santander itself, IBM, Bluzec and Oxentia. The aggregate benefits package includes €120,000 in prizes, access to the exclusive global Santander X 100 community, that connects top entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, potential clients, and tailored resources to accelerate their business, strategic mentoring from IBM experts, and up to €10,000 worth of Bluzec services.
The project partners are especially interested in disruptive tech projects that aim to transform key sectors of finance, energy, healthcare, logistics and cybersecurity, through computing and optimisation of complex systems, including digital security ones.
According to Jaime Gómez, Global Head of the Quantum Threat Program at Banco Santander, “quantum computing is increasingly close to generating a real impact on society and combined with AI, opens up new opportunities to solve complex challenges across multiple sectors. At Santander, we believe in the key role of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving this change, and that is why we promote initiatives such as this global challenge, through which we aim to support solutions that will shape the future of industry and digital security.”
