The US Commerce Department is injecting over $2 billion in grants into eight technology companies, led by IBM and GlobalFoundries, to advance quantum computing development and scale production capabilities.
- IBM to create a $1 billion quantum chip manufacturing venture called Anderon
- GlobalFoundries receives $375 million to expand support for multiple qubit architectures
- Other recipients include Atom Computing, Infleqtion, PsiQuantum, and Quantinuum
What happened
The US Commerce Department announced grants totaling $2.013 billion to a group of eight technology companies focused on various quantum computing technologies. IBM will receive nearly half the funds, approximately $1 billion, and plans to match this investment to establish Anderon, a new quantum chip manufacturing foundry specializing initially in 300-millimeter wafers for superconducting qubits. Other grant recipients include GlobalFoundries, which was awarded $375 million to also develop quantum chip manufacturing capabilities across diverse qubit designs.
Alongside IBM and GlobalFoundries, companies like Atom Computing and Infleqtion are set to receive $100 million each to develop neutral atom-based quantum computers. PsiQuantum, focusing on photonic qubits using light, will also get $100 million. These investments collectively encourage the development of multiple qubit technologies including superconducting, trapped ion, neutral atoms, and photonic approaches. The US government will take equity stakes in these firms in exchange for the funding, with GlobalFoundries issuing stock representing about a 1% government stake.
Why it matters
This substantial federal funding aims to transition quantum computing hardware from research prototypes toward scalable industrial manufacturing. By fostering foundries capable of producing large-scale quantum chips, the initiative addresses a critical bottleneck in the commercialization of quantum technology. The diversity of qubit architectures supported reflects a broad hedging strategy on the future dominant technologies for quantum processors.
The announcement also fueled notable gains in quantum-related stocks, with IBM and GlobalFoundries shares rising over 12%, and smaller quantum startups like D-Wave, Rigetti, and Infleqtion surging more than 30%. This investor enthusiasm highlights growing confidence in quantum computing as a transformative technology. The government's direct equity involvement further aligns public and private interests in accelerating quantum advancements, building domestic capacity for a field seen as strategic for economic and technological leadership.
What to watch next
Industry observers should closely monitor the progress of IBM’s Anderon foundry and GlobalFoundries’ new quantum manufacturing line, particularly their ability to scale production of quantum wafers and chips in diverse qubit technologies. Success could stimulate more public-private partnerships and inspire additional federal investments or policy initiatives supporting quantum infrastructure.
Equally important will be advancements from the other funded companies innovating with neutral atom and photonic qubits, as this could influence the emerging dominant platform within the quantum computing ecosystem. Stock performance and partnership announcements from these companies may signal market reaction to their technical progress and commercial viability in the evolving quantum landscape.