US Government to Invest $2 Billion in Nine Quantum Technology Firms; IBM to Establish New Company

The US government is making a significant move to invest in the rapidly advancing field of quantum technology, a next-generation computing technology marked by intensifying global competition. On May 21, 2026, the US Department of Commerce announced its basic agreement to invest a total of $2 billion (approximately ¥300 billion) in nine quantum technology-related companies. The investment, made under the framework of the CHIPS Act to strengthen domestic semiconductor production, represents the largest direct equity investment ever made by the US government in private companies. This decision reflects a strong geopolitical intention to secure the domestic quantum technology supply chain.

Overview of the Investment and Targeted Companies This investment plan will be executed using funds appropriated under the CHIPS Act and will take the form of acquiring minority stakes in the targeted companies. It is rare for the government to make direct equity investments in companies operating in strategically vital technological fields, indicating the critical importance of quantum technology within national strategy. Nine companies in total are targeted for investment, ranging from manufacturers of quantum computing hardware to startups developing quantum algorithms and software. The investment spans various layers of the value chain. Specifically, the targeted companies include two firms focused on manufacturing quantum chips—IBM, which leads in qubit production, and GlobalFoundries, a major semiconductor foundry. Additionally, seven companies specializing in quantum computing software and applications—Atom Computing, Diraq, D-Wave, Infleqtion, PsiQuantum, Quantinuum, and Rigetti—are also included. Notably, Quantinuum is a joint venture between IBM and Honeywell, and this investment is expected to strengthen the existing collaboration between the two.

Strategic Objectives of the Investment The Department of Commerce has outlined the objective of this significant investment as “ensuring critical supply capabilities within the quantum ecosystem are secured domestically.” This includes strengthening the US industrial base, enhancing technological resilience, and establishing long-term strategic leadership in cooperation with allies and partners. The backdrop to this move is the perception of quantum technology as a “game changer” that could impact future economic security and military technology. Quantum computers have the potential to perform complex calculations that are currently unfeasible for traditional supercomputers. They are anticipated to revolutionize fields ranging from new material design and drug discovery to cryptography and financial risk analysis. Given that rival nations such as China are accelerating the development of quantum technologies as national projects, the US is compelled to localize its supply chain to secure its leading position.

IBM to Establish Quantum Chip Foundry “Anderon” In conjunction with this announcement, IBM has revealed a significant new initiative. The company plans to establish “Anderon,” the first dedicated quantum chip foundry in the United States, using $1 billion in subsidies from the Department of Commerce, alongside its own investments in intellectual property, manufacturing assets, and talent. Anderon will build a mass production system for quantum chips based on IBM’s cutting-edge qubit technology. Initially, manufacturing will commence at IBM’s facilities in New York State, with plans to expand to producing advanced quantum technologies developed by other US companies and research institutions in the future. This move appears to be part of a strategy to establish a robust domestic ecosystem for quantum hardware manufacturing and encourage other companies to participate. The Department of Commerce emphasized that the final terms of Anderon’s establishment are not yet finalized, as the agreement is currently at the Letter of Intent (LOI) stage. The establishment of the company will be contingent upon due diligence and the conclusion of final contracts.

Significance Compared to Past Examples The US government’s move to acquire equity stakes in semiconductor companies under the CHIPS Act is not unprecedented. In August 2025, the government acquired $990 million worth of Intel shares under similar terms to support the company’s manufacturing capabilities. However, the $2 billion investment across nine quantum technology firms is unprecedented in both scale and scope. What stands out in this case is that while the investment in Intel was primarily aimed at bolstering the manufacturing capacity of an established semiconductor giant, the current investment is a bold move into the relatively nascent frontier of quantum technology. By providing high-risk capital across multiple companies, the government is not just aiming to maintain its current competitive edge but is positioning itself for future technological dominance.

Impact and Future Outlook of the Investment This significant investment is likely to have multiple ripple effects on the quantum technology sector. Firstly, it is expected to accelerate technological development. The targeted companies will benefit from stable funding and a strong government partnership, enabling them to focus on research and development. This could lead to breakthroughs in manufacturing technologies essential for practical hardware applications and advancements in error-correction technologies. Secondly, the investment will aid in talent acquisition and development. The establishment of new companies like Anderon and the influx of funding will attract skilled engineers and researchers to the quantum field, revitalizing the quantum technology community in the United States and creating a virtuous cycle of growth. Thirdly, it will contribute to restructuring the supply chain. Concentrating quantum chip manufacturing within the US will help prevent technology leaks and foster domestic industries. This move also reflects lessons learned from the high dependency on Asia for traditional semiconductors. However, challenges remain. Quantum technology is still transitioning from the basic research phase to commercialization, and there are concerns that it may take time to achieve practical applications. To avoid wasting significant government investment, the companies involved will need to steadily deliver tangible results. Overall, the US government’s investment underscores its commitment to taking a leading role in quantum technology—one of the most critical issues of the 21st century. The world is closely watching how this move will accelerate the race for the commercialization of quantum technologies.