Three Spanish, one German, one British and one U.S. companies have stood out among 440 candidates in this international challenge promoted by Banco Santander together with IBM, Bluzec and Oxentia Foundation.
The award-winning solutions address applications ranging from communications protection and industrial simulation to process optimization and infrastructure for AI.
Madrid, November 4, 2026.
Protecting communications against future quantum risk, accelerating industrial simulations or optimizing complex business processes are some of the applications developed by the six winning companies of the Santander X Global Challenge | The Quantum AI Leap, the international challenge promoted by Banco Santander together with IBM, Bluzec and Oxentia Foundation to accelerate the business application of quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
Three Spanish, one German, one British and one U.S. companies have been selected among the 20 finalists from ten countries and more than 440 companies participating in this edition.
The winning solutions reflect some of the main challenges currently facing the development of quantum technology – scaling systems, transferring their computing power to industrial problems or preparing communications for current vulnerabilities – in a context in which its development is entering a new stage and together with the advancement of scientific research and hardware, companies and organizations are beginning to explore what specific problems can benefit from these technologies and how to prepare for the new challenges they may pose.
Winners in the Startup category
- Qascade, from the United Kingdom, a company that develops a photonic interconnect platform capable of connecting millions of processors at the speed of light, improving data transmission, efficiency and scalability in advanced AI and high-performance computing applications.
- G2Zero, a Spanish quantum hardware and photonics company, which develops technology to improve and extend communications, computing, and quantum sensing systems through the use of photons.
- Qodex Quantum, from the United States, a startup that accelerates complex engineering simulations using models that combine AI and quantum to obtain results more efficiently.
Scaleup category winners
- Kipu Quantum GmbH in Germany, which operates in the field of AI and machine learning and applies quantum computing to improve the performance of artificial intelligence models, which can then be used in conventional technological infrastructures in companies.
- Quantum Mads, from Spain; a scaleup that helps companies solve complex operational challenges using proprietary optimization algorithms based on quantum artificial intelligence and developed in production environments.
- Luxquanta, from Spain; a quantum security company that protects critical communications infrastructures against current and future cyber threats.
The six winners shared €120,000 in prizes: €10,000 for each startup and €30,000 for each scaleup. In addition, they will have access to Santander X 100, the global community that brings together the best Santander X companies.
They will also be able to access specialized support opportunities from IBM, including sessions on AI, access to quantum innovation teams, and the possibility to present their projects to IBM Ventures and its community of investors. Bluzec will provide up to €10,000 in specialized services, training, and access to collaboration and investment networks.
Banco Santander and its support for education, employability and entrepreneurship
Banco Santander maintains a pioneering and consolidated commitment to education, employability and entrepreneurship, which it has been developing for 30 years and distinguishes it from other financial institutions in the world. The bank has allocated more than 2,500 million euros for these purposes in collaboration with more than 1,000 universities and internationally renowned entities from 13 countries, supporting more than 8.3 million people and companies during this time. Through Santander X, its global entrepreneurship platform, it supports entrepreneurs, startups, scaleups and SMEs through training, challenges, awards and opportunities to connect with relevant players in the business and investment ecosystem.
IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on their data insights, optimize business processes, reduce costs and gain a competitive advantage in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare depend on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to influence their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting offer open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is underpinned by IBM's longstanding commitment to trust, transparency, accountability, inclusion and service. For more information, visit www.ibm.com/es-es.
Bluzec
Bluzec is a technology and advisory company focused on accelerating the practical adoption of quantum computing with artificial intelligence for enterprises. Combining strategic insight with deep expertise in quantum technologies, Bluzec helps organizations understand emerging use cases, prepare their digital and security infrastructure, and translate quantum innovation into quantifiable business value.
Oxentia Foundation, and its commitment to innovation and global entrepreneurship
The Oxentia Foundation was created to further Oxentia's founding goal: to address global inequalities through innovation and entrepreneurship activities. Oxentia has organised international entrepreneurship competitions and awards, as well as providing advice to entrepreneurs to promote the commercialisation of science- and technology-based projects, with an impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Oxentia grew out of Oxford University's technology transfer company, Oxford University Innovation, with the aim of providing specialised innovation management services to public and private sector clients around the world. Its approach is underpinned by Oxford's strong heritage, based on more than 30 years of experience in supporting academic innovation and entrepreneurship in more than 70 countries.