IonQ to Acquire SkyWater in $1.8B Quantum Deal

IonQ, global industry experts in quantum computing platforms and technologies, have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SkyWater Technology in a cash-and-stock transaction valuing the deal at approximately $1.8 billion.

The acquisition is intended to establish a vertically integrated, full-stack quantum platform combining IonQ’s quantum computing technologies with SkyWater’s U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

Under the terms of the agreement, SkyWater shareholders will receive $15.00 in cash and $20.00 in IonQ common stock for each SkyWater share held at closing, subject to a collar. The transaction represents a purchase price of $35.00 per share and is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2026, pending shareholder approval, regulatory review, and customary closing conditions.

The combination is designed to accelerate IonQ’s roadmap toward fault-tolerant quantum computing by providing embedded access to a trusted U.S. semiconductor foundry. According to the companies, the transaction is expected to reduce wafer iteration timelines and enable parallel development of quantum processor prototypes. Functional testing of 200,000-qubit quantum processing units (QPUs), enabling more than 8,000 ultra-high-fidelity logical qubits, is expected to begin in 2028. IonQ also indicated that the acquisition could accelerate development of a future 2,000,000-qubit chip by up to one year.

“This transformational acquisition enables IonQ to materially accelerate its quantum computing roadmap and secure its fully scalable supply chain domestically. With secure, U.S.-based design, packaging and chip fabrication – IonQ will benefit from vertical integration across our increasingly interlinked quantum computing, quantum networking, quantum security, and quantum sensing applications for land, sea, air, and space,” said Niccolo de Masi, IonQ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are confident that uniting our revolutionary quantum platform with SkyWater’s leading capabilities in parallel innovation, engineering, and manufacturing, will accelerate America’s ability to deploy quantum technology for mission critical applications. This historic transaction will significantly accelerate commercialization of our fully fault-tolerant quantum computers and benefit our nation’s broader quantum industry, enhancing our national security, economic strength, and technological superiority.”

Mr. de Masi continued, “SkyWater is an unrivaled technology innovation partner, and with IonQ’s existing quantum sensing and quantum networking capabilities it will become the preeminent quantum merchant supplier under the continued leadership of Thomas Sonderman. Together, we remain committed to redefining what is possible for business, government, and society in the quantum era while unlocking long-term value for shareholders of both companies.”

Following completion of the transaction, SkyWater will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary under the SkyWater name and will continue to serve its existing customers as a pure-play semiconductor foundry and merchant supplier. Thomas Sonderman will continue to lead SkyWater and report to Mr. de Masi, supporting continuity across SkyWater’s Advanced Technology Services, Wafer Services, Advanced Packaging Services, as well as its atomic clocks and quantum interconnect offerings.

“This combination marks a pivotal moment in SkyWater’s evolution,” said Thomas Sonderman, Chief Executive Officer of SkyWater Technology. “As the largest pure-play semiconductor foundry based in the U.S., SkyWater is already the partner of choice for advanced development and manufacturing services in both the public and private sectors as quantum computing and manufacturing increasingly align. Joining forces with IonQ will accelerate multiple engineering pathways for next-generation quantum chips, delivering speed, precision, and scale. Importantly, SkyWater remains fully committed to all of our semiconductor foundry customers and will continue as the quantum merchant supplier of choice with an even broader set of quantum sensing and quantum networking solutions for all of our customers and partners.”

The combined company is expected to support applications across aerospace and defense, pharmaceuticals, finance, cloud computing, and enterprise markets. SkyWater will maintain its headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota, and its facilities in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas will serve as regional quantum production hubs.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) develops quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security technologies. The company delivers quantum computing services through major cloud platforms and supports applications across scientific research, defense, and industrial markets. IonQ is headquartered in College Park, Maryland, with operations across the United States, Europe, and Asia. To learn more, please click here.

About SkyWater Technology

SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT) is a U.S.-based, pure-play semiconductor foundry providing development and manufacturing services for commercial and government customers. The company operates facilities in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas and supports advanced packaging, foundational semiconductor nodes, and emerging technologies, including quantum computing. For more information, please click here.

Source/Photo Credit: IonQ

---

(Editor’s Note: All trademarks mentioned in this article, including company names, product names, and logos, are the property of their respective owners. Use of these trademarks is for informational purposes only and does not imply any endorsement.)