Acquisition strengthens U.S. supply chain control and accelerates plans for next-generation quantum processors
Quantum computing company IonQ (IONQ) announced Monday it will acquire semiconductor foundry SkyWater Technology (SKYT) for approximately $1.8 billion, a strategic move designed to bring chip manufacturing in-house and accelerate the development of its next-generation quantum processors. The cash-and-stock deal aims to strengthen IonQ’s control over production as it scales quantum computing systems for commercial applications and high-priority government customers.
The acquisition is expected to secure IonQ’s supply chain by giving the company direct access to a trusted U.S.-based fabrication platform. IonQ said this added manufacturing capability will help ensure consistent delivery of advanced chip technology, particularly as demand grows across federal and defense sectors where domestic production and reliability are critical.
Investors reacted positively to the news. IonQ shares rose about 2% in premarket trading, while SkyWater climbed more than 8%. Under the terms of the agreement, SkyWater shareholders will receive $15 in cash and $20 in IonQ stock per share, representing a premium of nearly 12% to SkyWater’s most recent closing price.
IonQ highlighted that acquiring a fabrication facility and embedded access to a trusted foundry could enable the company to begin testing its planned 200,000-qubit chips in 2028—earlier than previously expected. In quantum computing, qubits serve as the fundamental unit of information, and scaling qubit counts is a central goal in the race to build more powerful systems capable of solving problems beyond the reach of classical computers.
SkyWater operates semiconductor facilities in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas, and the companies said these sites will serve as quantum production hubs supporting IonQ’s roadmap. Following the close of the transaction—expected in the second or third quarter of 2026—SkyWater will become a wholly owned subsidiary and remain under the leadership of CEO Thomas Sonderman, who will report to IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi.
SkyWater will also continue serving its existing aerospace, defense, and commercial customers with wafer services, advanced packaging, and specialized components such as atomic clocks. In addition, IonQ reaffirmed confidence in its outlook, stating it expects full-year 2025 revenue to land at the high end or above its prior forecast of $106 million to $110 million.
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