First Central Enterprise Quantum Talent Innovation Space Competition Launches in Hefei, Five SOEs Release Real Business Scenario Needs

The competition has five tracks: communications, dual-use technology, energy, finance, and exploration. The communications track is aimed at communication experiences that people can perceive, promoting quantum communication in rail transit, enterprise networking, the low-altitude economy, AI large models, and the Internet of Things as it moves from pilot demonstrations to scaled commercial use. The dual-use technology track covers equipment development, production, testing, and maintenance, seeking innovative application solutions in quantum precision measurement, quantum communication and anti-quantum security, and quantum computing and intelligent optimization. The energy track focuses on eight scenarios, including ultra-early partial discharge sensing for high-voltage equipment, high-precision current measurement and metering traceability for power grids, and secure data transmission for the power Internet of Things, pushing quantum technology into substations, dispatch centers, and new energy stations. The finance track focuses on risk management, data analysis, market forecasting, and investment decisions, promoting deeper integration of quantum information technology with financial operations. The exploration track addresses gravity exploration, magnetic prospecting, and mine safety monitoring. The five central SOEs together released more than 50 such real business scenario needs.

The five central SOEs will open core research and experimental resources to participating teams. These include an electromagnetic protection pilot testing platform, the world's largest quantum mineral exploration field trial platform, the Tianyan quantum computing cloud platform, and quantum communication laboratories. The competition will provide desensitized business data support where scenario conditions permit and data security is ensured. A competition official said the five companies will arrange industry and technology experts to take part in review and guidance throughout, so that innovation aligns with industrial needs from the first day of registration.

The competition also builds a capital channel to the market. National-level funds, central SOE capital, local state capital, and social capital form a full-category investment matrix, with dozens of prominent investors observing projects throughout. The approach is to invest early, in small projects, for the long term, and in hard technology. High-quality projects enter the capital spotlight from the moment they join the competition. Startups backed by hard technology achievements have the opportunity to receive direct investment and mergers and acquisitions from central SOE capital, move into Quantum Space, and enjoy free office space and government policy support, addressing the last mile of project commercialization.

Registration is now open, and teams can submit materials through official channels. The competition will proceed through initial evaluation, semifinals, and finals, with the top three in each track advancing to the finals. An awards ceremony, results release, and incubation ceremony will follow. Winning projects will enter the Quantum Innovation Camp for six months of intensive support, during which they can conduct real on-site validation using the research and experimental facilities opened by central SOEs and continue to receive capital matching, industrial landing, and ecosystem cooperation support.

Technology development is also positioned around self-reliance and controllability. Participating teams will carry out work using a domestic quantum programming framework, promoting a self-controllable quantum software toolchain and accelerating the localization of key quantum core technologies. A relevant official said the competition aims to attract talent and promote industry through competition, moving more quantum technology projects from the contest arena to the market and injecting sustained momentum into the quantum industry innovation ecosystem.