
US invests $2 billion to boost domestic quantum computing industry
US invests $2 billion to boost domestic quantum computing industry
- The US Department of Commerce announced a $2 billion investment to boost quantum computing.
- IBM received the largest share of $1 billion to establish a quantum chip foundry in Albany, New York.
- This funding is expected to create thousands of high-paying jobs and enhance US capabilities in various technological fields.
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In May 2026, the United States government made a significant investment in the burgeoning field of quantum computing, committing $2 billion in federal funding through the CHIPS and Science Act. This announcement by the US Department of Commerce outlined the allocation of funds to nine companies, which includes both quantum foundry organizations and quantum computing firms. The initiative aims to strengthen the domestic quantum industry, addressing critical technology challenges inherent in developing utility-scale and fault-tolerant quantum computers. Among the recipients, IBM received the largest single share of the funding, amounting to $1 billion. This will help launch Anderon, a dedicated company that is dubbed as the first pure-play US quantum chip foundry, located in Albany, New York. This facility aims to produce a 300-millimeter quantum wafer, catering to a range of quantum hardware vendors. Furthermore, IBM will supplement this government support with an equivalent $1 billion investment of its own cash, intellectual property, and workforce, which is expected to attract additional investment as Anderon gains traction in the market. GlobalFoundries, another prominent participant, has been allocated $375 million to establish Quantum Technology Solutions, a new quantum business built on its existing investments in cryogenic CMOS and advanced packaging technologies. This facility in Malta, New York, plans to produce a comprehensive range of quantum hardware components, from quantum processor units to cryogenic readout chips, to support various architectures including superconducting and trapped ion technologies. Among its initial customers are major players in the tech industry, including Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and PsiQuantum. The remaining $538 million from the funding has been distributed among seven other companies specializing in quantum computing, such as Quantinuum, Atom Computing, and D-Wave. Notably, Quantinuum is poised to fabricate low-loss integrated photonics that are essential for advanced quantum applications. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick highlighted that this strategic investment is intended not only to foster the development of the domestic quantum industry but also to create thousands of high-paying jobs while strengthening national capabilities across multiple technological domains. The funding aims to make strides in areas with significant implications for national defense, advanced materials science, biopharmaceutical research, financial modeling, and energy systems, which are becoming increasingly critical in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. This funding announcement marks a pivotal moment for the US in the global quantum computing race, as the country seeks to leverage these investments to address key technological challenges and establish itself as a leader in quantum technologies.