Quantum Stocks Surge on Reports of $2 Billion U.S. Government Award

Quantum computing shares rallied sharply on Thursday after CNBC reported that the U.S. government plans to distribute $2 billion in grants across nine companies in the sector. The U.S. Commerce Department is also expected to take equity stakes in each recipient firm.

IBM Claims the Largest Share of Federal Quantum Funding

IBM stands to receive the biggest single allocation at $1 billion, according to the report. Shares of the technology giant climbed roughly 7% on the news. Chipmaker GlobalFoundries is in line for $375 million. Smaller quantum players D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, and Infleqtion are each reportedly set to receive $100 million. Startup Diraq would receive $38 million under the plan.

Market reactions were swift. D-Wave and Rigetti each jumped around 16%. Infleqtion and Arqit each gained roughly 30%. IonQ advanced 11%, and Quantum Computing Inc. rose approximately 17%. The deals have not yet been formally completed.

Chips and Science Act Provides the Funding Backbone

The proposed grants would draw from the 2022 Chips and Science Act, a bipartisan law designed to boost domestic semiconductor and advanced technology research. The legislation set aside billions of dollars for strategic industries the government considers critical to national security and economic competitiveness. Quantum computing has grown increasingly prominent within that framework.

IBM Confirms Plans for a Dedicated Quantum Foundry

Shortly after the initial reports circulated, IBM confirmed it would partner with the federal government to establish what it described as the first purpose-built quantum foundry in the United States. The new facility will operate under a standalone entity called Anderon, headquartered in Albany, New York. IBM said it would contribute a matching $1 billion investment alongside the government award.

The company described the initiative as a platform for broad industry access to advanced quantum wafer production. IBM also cited estimates suggesting quantum technology could generate up to $850 Billion in economic value by 2040, while strengthening national security.

A Competitive Race With Global Implications

The scale of the federal commitment signals growing urgency around quantum leadership. Rival nations, including China, have invested heavily in the technology. A domestically anchored quantum supply chain is now a stated priority for Washington. The Commerce Department had not responded to CNBC’s request for comment at the time of publication.

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