US government takes $2 billion equity stakes in quantum computing firms
Funding drawn from the CHIPS and Science Act, the investment marks a significant expansion of Washington’s strategic equity positions in critical technology sectors.
The Trump administration has announced a $2 billion investment in equity stakes across nine quantum computing companies, a move designed to cement US technological dominance and counter advancements in China. The US Department of Commerce confirmed the deal on Thursday, which includes a $1 billion injection into a new IBM venture and $375 million for contract chipmaker GlobalFoundries to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities.
IBM will utilise the funding to establish Anderon, a dedicated quantum chip manufacturing facility in New Albany, New York, which will serve as the first facility of its kind in the United States. The company will contribute $1 billion alongside intellectual property, assets, and workforce, while bringing in additional investors. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna stated that Anderon would offer its chipmaking technology to external clients and was already in discussions with potential customers.
GlobalFoundries will receive $375 million to construct a US factory for quantum machine components, launching a new business unit called Quantum Technology Solutions. The government is taking an equity stake of approximately 1% in GlobalFoundries as part of the agreement. The firm will focus on scaling manufacturing for hardware, including control chips capable of withstanding the ultra-low temperatures required for quantum operations.
Other recipients of the funding include D-Wave, Rigetti Computing, and Infleqtion, each receiving approximately $100 million, while Diraq will receive up to $38 million to address technical hurdles. The capital is sourced from incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act, continuing a strategy of Washington taking equity positions in strategic industries to shore up supply chains, following similar moves with Intel and MP Materials.
Shares of the involved companies rose between 6% and 31% following the announcement. The initiative coincides with a broader geopolitical context, including a summit in Beijing between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as recent approvals for advanced chip sales to Chinese firms. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said the investments aim to create thousands of high-paying American jobs and advance national quantum capabilities.
