Technology

US government takes $2 billion equity stake in nine quantum computing firms

Source

Ars Technica

Published

May 21, 2026

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The US government is investing $2 billion in equity stakes in nine quantum computing companies, including IBM and GlobalFoundries, causing shares in these companies to surge. Among the recipients is PsiQuantum, which received $100 million and has ties to a venture capital firm involving Donald Trump Jr. D-Wave Quantum, led by a Pentagon official, also saw a significant increase in value. The investment aims to advance American innovation in quantum computing, according to US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick.

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Microsoft announces Majorana 2 quantum computing chip — claims a practical machine will come in 2029

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Quantum sensing, a technology leveraging the high sensitivity of individual quantum states to external factors like magnetic fields, is showing promise for practical applications. Techniques like nitrogen vacancy centers in synthetic diamond are being used for quantum sensing, offering high precision in detecting magnetic fields. Quantum Diamonds has deployed a quantum sensing system at Eurofins EAG Labs for semiconductor failure analysis, providing non-destructive testing with exceptional resolution. Unlike quantum computing, quantum sensing does not require superposition or entanglement and can operate at room temperature, making it versatile for various applications beyond semiconductor analysis.

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US government takes $2 billion equity stake in nine quantum computing firms

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US government takes $2 billion equity stake in nine quantum computing firms

TL;DR

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