Quantum Venture Summit: Where Deals Happen

Quantum Venture Summit: Where Deals Happen
See you in 2026 in Toronto. Stay tuned regarding the details. 
When
Monday, September 14th 2026
Where
IEEE Quantum Week, Toronto, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Apply for the startups pitching competition:
CLICK HERE
Register here
Previous editions
2025 Albuquerque, NM
Agenda - Monday, September 14th
1st session
10:00-10:05 AM: Welcome message
Speaker: Rafael Sotelo, Dean of Engineering at Universidad de Montevideo, co-founder of Quantum-South and QSC Labs, IEEE Member
10:05-10:30 AM: Opening Keynote: Investment Trends & Opportunities
Speaker: Michael Baczyk, Investor, Heartcore Capital 
Michael Baczyk is an investor at Heartcore Capital, where he leads the firm's investment activity in quantum tech and deep tech. He sources and evaluates quantum startups globally, from quantum hardware and software to enabling technologies, and works closely with founders from first contact through diligence and beyond. Michael is deeply embedded in the international quantum ecosystem: he curates Europe's Quantum Builders, Heartcore's invite-only event series for quantum founders and researchers, supports deep-tech stage programming at TechBBQ, and is a regular speaker and startup judge at quantum conferences worldwide, including Quantum Tech World in Boston.
Before joining Heartcore, Michael led the global team of experts at GQI, the world's premier quantum technology economic intelligence firm, overseeing proprietary intelligence products that guided critical decisions across the quantum ecosystem. In that role he served as a bridge between the quantum sector and its key stakeholders, transforming complex technical developments into actionable strategic intelligence for national security advisors, venture partners, enterprise leaders, and government officials shaping policy.
His academic foundation spans Cambridge, ETH Zurich, and Harvard Business School, combined with hands-on research experience at CERN Quantum & AI and Los Alamos Quantum Labs. Michael's achievements include authoring peer-reviewed quantum papers in top journals, winning two global quantum hackathons against 700+ competitors, and being recognized as Europe's best young scientist at EUCYS by the European Commission. 
Across all of this, his focus is on finding exceptional founders with unique insights and helping them turn frontier science into category-defining companies.
10:30-11:30 AM: VC reverse pitches
Investors take the stage to pitch to founders. Quantum-focused VCs present their thesis, focus areas, stage, and check size, and what they look for in a team, helping startups identify the right investors to approach during the summit.
11:30-1:00PM: Lunch break
2nd session
11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Startup & Founder Roundtables
Speaker: Dr. Tobias Denzler, Head of Science and Technology, QAI Ventures
After obtaining a quantum physics PhD from the University of Stuttgart, Tobias Denzler became a scientific consultant in Berlin. In this role, he advised and managed the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education's quantum technology activities. Subsequently, he joined QAI Ventures in Basel as Head of Science and Technology. There, he leads the technical evaluation and support of investments in quantum startups and establishes partnerships with academic partners.
Series of roundtable discussions bringing together founders, mentors, investors, and ecosystem builders on turning quantum research into viable ventures
Founder Support & Capacity Building
Practical resources, pre-accelerator and accelerator models for aspiring quantum founders
Team Building & Partnerships
Assembling founding teams and developing strategic partnerships early on
Investment Readiness & Commercialization
Preparing for fundraising and defining pathways from research to market
2:30 - 3:00 PM: Coffee break
3rd session
3:00-4:30 PM: Startup Pitching Competition APPLY HERE
Selected quantum startups pitch live to a panel of investors and the summit audience. Each team presents in a short format followed by Q&A and direct feedback from the panel. A chance to gain visibility, sharpen your story, and start funding conversations.
4:30 PM: End of the summit
Apply Now: Limited Quantum Venture Opportunities
Secure your position in this exclusive program designed to connect quantum startups with potential investors.
FOR STARTUPS:
Register for QCE26 by August 30th 2025
Secure your pitch slot at IEEE Quantum Week 2026 in Toronto. Early applicants receive priority consideration for showcase positions.
Submit Venture Qualification
Provide documentation demonstrating your startup's technical validity, market potential, and business model to qualify for the exclusive investor discussions.
Connect with Investors
Qualified ventures will gain access to curated investor roundtables and showcase opportunities designed to accelerate funding conversations.
FOR INVESTORS:
Register for QCE26 by August 30th 2025
Submit your investment criteria and quantum technology focus areas to join our exclusive network of quantum-focused investors.
Review Curated Startups
Access our portfolio of pre-qualified quantum ventures that have demonstrated technical validity and market potential in the quantum computing space.
Participate in Roundtables
Engage directly with selected quantum startups during IEEE Quantum Week 2026 through exclusive roundtable discussions and networking events.
Space is extremely limited for this high-value opportunity. For questions or expedited consideration, contact the organizers directly.
Industry Relevance
Funding Gap
Early-stage quantum ventures face unique challenges in securing investment due to the technical complexity, longer development timelines, and specialized expertise required for due diligence.
Workshop Solution
This workshop bridges the gap between quantum entrepreneurs and investors by providing specialized resources, facilitating targeted connections, and creating a trusted forum for meaningful funding discussions.
By connecting quantum startups directly with knowledgeable investors, this workshop helps overcome the current market concentration, enables new ventures to secure crucial funding, and accelerates the expansion of the entire quantum technologies ecosystem.
Target Audience
Entrepreneurs
Quantum founders raising pre-seed to Series B funding who need specialized pitch frameworks and direct access to investors with quantum technology expertise.
Investors
VCs and angels seeking qualified deal flow in quantum tech with validated technical due diligence and clearer commercialization timelines than typically available.
Companies
Enterprise innovation teams exploring quantum tech applications who benefit from connecting with agile startups for potential partnerships, acquisitions, or investment opportunities.
Researchers
Academic and industry scientists transitioning from theory to commercialization who gain practical business frameworks and connections to both investors and corporate implementation partners.
The summit creates unique value through strategic interactions between these groups, facilitating knowledge transfer, investment opportunities, and partnership development that accelerates quantum technology commercialization.
Anticipated Outcomes
Capacity Building
Scientists, engineers, and technologists will gain valuable knowledge and skills for launching quantum tech ventures.
Network Development
Creation of meaningful connections between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in the quantum space.
Industry Advancement
Acceleration of the quantum tech field through increased entrepreneurial activity and investment.
Meet the Organizers
Rafael Sotelo
Dean of Engineering at Universidad de Montevideo, co-founder of Quantum-South and QSC Labs. IEEE Senior Member with extensive experience in  quantum computing.
Michael Baczyk
Investor at Heartcore Capital, where he leads the firm's investment activity in quantum tech and deep tech globally. He plays an active role in the quantum ecosystem, curating Heartcore's Europe's Quantum Builders event series, speaking and judging at international quantum conferences, and helping researchers and founders turn frontier science into category-defining companies.
Joanne Wong
General Partner of REDDS Capital and 2025 Chair of IEEE Entrepreneurship Hard Tech Venture Summit with experience at IBM, HP, SAP, and Cisco.
Tobias Denzler
Dr. Tobias Denzler is Global Head of Science & Technology at QAI Ventures, where he drives the firm’s scientific and technical strategy across its investment and ecosystem-building activities. He plays a leading role in QAI Ventures’ pre-accelerator programs, helping young talent from academia explore entrepreneurial careers and transition groundbreaking research into viable startup ventures.