Funding Breakthrough Technologies Panel: XPRIZE Canada Hub Quantum Team Summit 2026

​XPRIZE Quantum Applications is a $5M, three-year global competition challenging teams to develop quantum algorithms ready for deployment as hardware advances — tackling complex problems in health, climate, energy, and materials science. Twelve teams are currently competing (seven Phase I finalists plus five wildcard finalists), sharing $1M today and competing for the remaining $4M as they advance toward Phase II and a Spring 2027 announcement of winners.

​The XPRIZE Canada Hub and Quantum City will be hosting the XPRIZE Quantum Applications Team Summit, where finalists and judges will come together in Calgary.

​Join us at the XPRIZE Quantum Applications Team Summit on August 21, 2026 for a discussion on funding breakthrough technologies!

​This panel discussion will bring together perspectives across the full spectrum of funders to provide a practical view of how quantum technologies actually get funded.

• ​Dr. Ania Sergeenko - Funding Catalyst Team, Thin Air Labs. Ania specializes in non-dilutive funding strategy for deep tech founders, drawing on her scientific grounding as a postdoctoral researcher at Applied Quantum Materials and her role on a team that has secured more than $90M in non-dilutive capital.

• ​Manuel Garcia - Senior Associate, UCeed Energy Fund. Manuel specializes in early-stage venture investment, leading sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio support for deep tech and clean energy startups.

• ​Yasmine Al-Hussein - Investment Manager, Yaletown Partners. Yasmine specializes in early-stage venture investment, leading Yaletown's Accelerate Funds and building the firm's presence within Alberta's quantum ecosystem.

​Agenda

• ​9:00-9:30am - Breakfast

• ​9:30-10:30am - Funding Panel

• ​10:30-11:30am - Networking

​Dedicated time for networking follows the panel — a chance to learn from and connect directly with the XPRIZE Quantum Applications teams and the broader community.