Several U.S. quantum computing companies are reportedly in talks to offer the Commerce Department equity stakes in exchange for federal funding, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
The companies include IONQ (NYSE:IONQ), Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ:RGTI), and D-Wave Quantum Inc (NYSE:QBTS), which are discussing potential government shareholdings as part of new funding deals. Quantum Computing Inc (NASDAQ:QUBT) and Atom Computing are also said to be exploring similar arrangements.
Each firm is reportedly seeking at least $10 million in funding from Washington. The move reflects a growing effort by the Trump administration to take ownership stakes in industries considered strategically vital to national security and technological leadership.
In August, the government took nearly a 10% stake in Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) by converting $9 billion in grants into equity, signaling a new model of federal involvement in key tech sectors.
The talks, led by Deputy Commerce Secretary Paul Dabbar, would represent one of Washington’s first major investments in quantum computing, a field viewed as crucial for future advances in materials science, chemistry, and drug discovery.
