Announcing the Fujitsu $100,000 Quantum Simulator Challenge 2024

May 10, 2024

Challenge Objectives

Fujitsu Limited(“Fujitsu”) would like to solicit applications from interested members of the industry and academia to test the quantum simulator on novel problems and applications. Building on last year’s successful Quantum Simulator Challenge 2023, this contest will include several new and advanced features implemented in Fujitsu’s Quantum Simulator. Our objectives are:

Quantum Simulator Challenge 2023

Apply quantum simulator to customer pain points
Test the quantum simulator with real world applications
Explore quantum use cases collaboratively with participants selected by Fujitsu (the “Participant(s)”)
Obtain feedback from Participants on performance and scalability

Benefits of Participation

Eligible for $100,000 prize money
- First Prize - $50,000
- Second Prize - $30,000
- Third Prize - $20,000
Free use of our quantum technologies for development of the project
Collaboration with our quantum experts for training, support, and insights
Potential future partnerships to bring jointly created technologies and services to Fujitsu’s customers as well as potential investment
Co-branding and marketing activities with Fujitsu’s partner network of VCs, customers, and inclusion in Fujitsu ActivateNow Technology Summit

Background

Fujitsu has developed a 40-qubit CPU-based state vector quantum simulator system consisting of 1024 FX700 nodes with by using A64FX processors. The quantum simulator utilizes “Qulacs,” one of the world's fastest quantum simulator software developed by Osaka University and QunaSys Corporation. Fujitsu enhanced Qulacs so that it can be executed in parallel and distributed way on the cluster system utilizing MPI (Message Passing Interface) technology and optimizing memory bandwidth using SVE(Scalable Vector Extension) operation. Fujitsu has also prepared a software development kit (SDK) partially compatible with Qiskit, one of the major development tools for quantum computer software, to offer quantum software developers a highly convenient development environment. In addition to the state vector quantum simulator, a new feature this year is the Decision Diagram Simulator, which is more memory efficient and suitable for FTQC algorithms.

Evaluation Criteria

Every project will be scored using the following evaluation criteria. The team which scores the highest will be awarded the prize.

Project Uniqueness
Uniqueness of a project theme, use case scenario
Score : 10
Business Applicability
How a project impacts actual business with an emphasis on solutions for real-world applications
Score : 10
Algorithms Quality
How well the quantum algorithms were developed
Score : 10
Usage
Number of qubits used for simulation with preference given to higher qubit utilization and solutions to complex problems
Score : 10
Contribution
Valuable feedback and contribution to enhancing Fujitsu quantum simulator and libraries
Score : 10

* Score 50/50

Challenge Duration

Fujitsu plans to run the challenge from July to October 2024.

How to Participate

To participate, please download, fill out application form after the privacy notice below and send it to fra_quantum@fujitsu.com by July 20, 2024. All applications will be reviewed by Fujitsu and the participants of the challenge will be selected based on problem innovation, breadth of applicability and resulting customer impact.
If Participants of the Challenge will be selected, such Participants should agree to the Participant Agreement separately designated by Fujitsu.
Applicants of the Challenge(“Applicants”) shall be a legal entity, such as a company or an institution.

fra_quantum@fujitsu.com

Privacy Notice

Before submitting any answers in the application form, please ensure all employee(s) of the Applicant related to the Challenge (the “Member(s)”) read and agree the Fujitsu Privacy Policy (Global) [https://global.fujitsu/en-global/terms/privacy] and this Privacy Notice.

https://global.fujitsu/en-global/terms/privacy

Fujitsu will collect and process the following personal information about Member(s):: The information about Member(s) that the Applicant give to Fujitsu by filling in forms on Fujitsu’s website (or other forms that Fujitsu ask the Applicant to complete), corresponding with Fujitsu by telephone, post, email or otherwise (“Members Information”). It will include, for example, name, email address, professional role, background, and interests of Member(s).
Fujitsu will collect, store and use Member’s personal information for the following purposes (the “Purpose”):: To operate, manage and promote the Challenge including select the Participants of the Challenge.

Fujitsu will process the Members Information only for the Purpose and delete it when the Purpose is achieved, or when it becomes obsolete.

Fujitsu will disclose Members Information, where reasonably necessary for the Purpose set out above, to Fujitsu Research of America, Inc .. There will be no disclosure, provision and/or transfer to third parties not contractually bound.

Members have a right to request access to its own Members Information, request that its own Members Information should be deleted, rectified, blocked, or restricted for future use by notifying Fujitsu’s e-mail address below, without giving any reason. If this results in any issues for Members, Members cannot make any legal claims against Fujitsu.

Download application form