QUANTUM ILAB - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Participants of the qilab work in teams on innovative ideas, from identifying real-world challenges to developing, testing, and refining creative solutions using quantum technologies.
The course is fast-paced with an expected workload of approximately 40 hours in class, plus additional work to develop one’s projects between sessions. Participants will learn how to work effectively in teams and how to look at the different aspects of an entrepreneurial venture.
Learning outcomes:
- understand the principles of deep tech innovation and its connection to entrepreneurship
- explore the business potential of (your) quantum technologies
- collaborate in teams with peers
- learn communication techniques to pitch your idea to non-scientists
what to expect
The program begins with an intensive bootcamp, where participants learn the fundamentals of deep-tech entrepreneurship and work in teams on early-stage ideas. Through expert-led sessions, you will explore topics such as idea validation, intellectual property strategy, business planning, market and competitor analysis, and funding pathways. These concepts are applied directly in hands-on team sessions, allowing you to develop your idea in a collaborative environment. Beyond the workshops, the bootcamp also offers opportunities to connect with peers, build lasting relationships, and engage with experts from technology transfer and investment who may become valuable contacts for your future.
The program culminates in a Demo Day, where selected teams pitch their ideas to a jury of experts from investment and established quantum companies. You will receive custom feedback and suggestions on the next steps for developing your venture. The best-performing team will be awarded a prize. The event also provides a valuable opportunity to network with key stakeholders in the quantum ecosystem.
Following the program, technology transfer and entrepreneurship experts at your institution can support you in further developing your project. In addition, participants become part of the Qilab alumni network, with access to ongoing opportunities, invitations to relevant events, and connections to partners and stakeholders who can support future growth.
FAQs
The program is open to Master students, PhD candidates, postdocs and PIs involved in quantum science. Additionally, if you are not a quantum researcher but from a related field such as engineering or computer science and would like to work on an idea with a connection to quantum tech, you are welcome to apply.
Researchers at any stage of idea development are encouraged to apply, including those who do not have a concrete business idea in mind but see commercial potential in their work.
Fully taught in English, the program is designed to be accessible to all students from diverse backgrounds.
Please note, that available spaces in the programme are limited and participants will be chosen based on the quality of the applications received.
No prior experience is required. The program is designed to provide foundational knowledge in entrepreneurship and deep tech innovation, while supporting participants throughout the process.
No, you don’t need a fully developed business idea to apply. During the program you’ll receive guidance from experts on how to evaluate ideas for their commercial potential and shape them into viable products.
You can also join a team built around someone else’s idea and work on it collaboratively. Through this process you will learn the tools of entrepreneurship, which will make it easier for you to identify a business idea based on your own research later on.
You can apply either as an existing team or individually. If you are applying with colleagues, please indicate this in the registration form.
If you apply individually, you will have the opportunity to meet potential teammates during the program. Ahead of the bootcamp, participants are welcome to present their ideas in a webinar to attract team members.
Teams typically consist of around three people, and we encourage forming diverse teams with members from different institutions.
All participants are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), meaning that any confidential information shared during the program must not be disclosed outside of it.
Nevertheless, we highly recommend that you do not disclose any sensitive information related to your intellectual property without discussing it with your institution first.
Please also note that the program is not designed to develop new intellectual property, but rather focuses on exploring the business potential of ideas.
The program is free for researchers from participating institutions. If you are affiliated with another institution, participation may still be possible if your organization agrees to cover the program fee.
Accommodation and meals during the bootcamp are provided. Please note that no additional financial support, such as travel costs to the bootcamp or Demo Day, is available. These costs are typically covered by participants’ research groups or institutions.
The skills acquired at the Qilab are highly applicable to other contexts as well, not only for starting a company! Besides the hard skills taught at the workshop, which can open up new career paths, researchers also enhance soft skills such as creativity, leadership, teamwork and effective communication and presentation, which can help them in their academic life and beyond. Thus, our program can be beneficial for a diverse group of participants in their personal as well as professional development.
The course involves a 6-day bootcamp and demo day. Full attendance is mandatory. Additional time will be required for project development and deliverables.
To find out whether you can receive ECTS credits for participating in the QILab, please contact your research organization directly.
31/08/2026
Start 12:00
- Arrival and lunch
- Intro to the programme
- What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?
- Introduction of ideas
- Dinner
- Intro to deep-tech innovation
- Teamwork and Leadership
- Team formation
01/09/2026
- Presentation of Teams
- Idea Validation
- Lunch
- Intellectual property
- The transition from technology to commercialisation
- Dinner
- Team Work
02/09/2026
- Value Proposition Canvas
- Lunch
- Business Plan
- Dinner
- Video Competition
03/09/2026
- Market, competition and strategic positioning
- Lunch
- Hike
- Founder keynote and discussion panel
- Dinner
- Networking Session
04/09/2026
- Financial planning and funding opportunities
- Lunch
- Skill training
- Intro to pitching
- Dinner
- Pitch preparation
05/09/2026
End 13:00
- Pitch presentation and wrap-up
- Q&A session
- Concluding remarks
- Lunch
- Departure
25/09/2026
16:00 – 21:00
Sky-Lounge (Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1, Vienna)
- Pitch presentations of the Qilab teams
- Panel discussion
- Award ceremony
- Networking dinner
Ready to apply?
Don’t miss your chance to apply to the quantum innovation lab – applications close on 14 June 2026.
our mentors from the 2025 program
Terms and Conditions
By submitting an application to the Qilab, applicants agree to the following Terms and Conditions.
The quantum innovation lab is a competitive innovation and entrepreneurship program designed to support early-stage quantum-related ideas and teams. Participation is limited and subject to a selective application process.
The number of available places in the program is limited. Applications are evaluated on a competitive, merit-based basis. Selection into the program does not automatically guarantee participation. Applicants who are selected will receive a conditional acceptance. Participation is confirmed only once coverage of the applicable registration fee has been formally confirmed and settled.
Participation in the Qilab does not require researchers to personally pay a program fee as a condition for applying. Registration fees associated with participation in the program are normally covered by the institution to which the participant belongs. If an applicant’s institution does not cover the registration fee, the applicant may choose to cover the fee themselves or through available grant or project funds. In such cases, the registration fee amounts to EUR 3000, which is reduced to EUR 1000 if the institution is a partner in the program. Acceptance into the program is independent of the source of fee coverage and has no influence on the selection decision. Final confirmation of participation is conditional upon confirmation that the applicable participation fee is covered by the applicant’s institution or by the applicant themselves. If confirmation of fee coverage is not received by the communicated deadline, the organizers reserve the right to reallocate the place to another applicant.
Full attendance and active participation in all mandatory parts of the program is required. This includes, but is not limited to, the bootcamp phase and the final Demo Day. Failure to attend mandatory program components without valid justification may result in exclusion from the program and ineligibility for awards or certificates.
For the bootcamp phase of the program, the organizers cover accommodation and food for participants. Travel costs to and from the bootcamp location are not covered and must be borne by the participants or their research institutions. For the Demo Day, no accommodation or travel costs are covered by the organizers. Any related expenses must be covered by the participants or their institutions. Applicants acknowledge that acceptance into the program does not imply any entitlement to financial support beyond what is explicitly stated in these Terms and Conditions.
The best-performing team, as selected by an independent jury at the demo day, will receive an entrepreneurship award of EUR 1,000. Due to administrative requirements, the award may be paid out to a single representative of the winning team. The award is granted at the sole discretion of the jury. Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal. The award may be subject to taxes or reporting obligations depending on applicable national regulations.
Participation in the Qilab is conditional upon signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Participants agree to treat confidential information shared during the program as confidential and to comply with the terms of the NDA.
The organisers reserve the right to modify the program content, schedule, format, or speakers if necessary. This also includes changes due to circumstances beyond the organizers’ control. In cases of force majeure, the organizers shall not be held liable for cancellation or modification of the program.
The organizers may use take photographs, video recordings, and quotes during the program. We may use and process these photographs/videos to present the event, offline and/or online (e.g. in magazines, events, promotions, on social media or on websites). In accordance with the guidelines presented in Article 9 in https://dsba.univie.ac.at/en/data-protection-declaration/#c1022235. Participants may request to opt out of such use by informing the organizers in writing.
Participation in the quantum innovation lab does not constitute an employment relationship, student status, or legal partnership. These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Austria.
contact
Have questions about the quantum innovation lab? Need more information about the program, application process, or schedule? Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help! Simply write a message to entrepreneurship@univie.ac.at and we will get back to you as soon as possible.